The volume, first in a series of seven, discusses the Value of Children Project, a cross-cultural survey designed to analyze reasons for married couples' wanting or not wanting children. The sample includes participants from the Republic of China (Taiwan), Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States (Hawaii). The document is presented in six chapters. Chapter I discusses theoretical and conceptual aspects of the research, reviews policy issues, and describes procedures in organizing the study. Chapter II deals with the methodology and Chapter III provides descriptive data on the samples in the six countries. These data include demographic characteristics, family size, contraceptive use and timing, and attitudes toward birth control and abortion. Statistics are categorized according to husband/wife perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of having children, the five most frequently mentioned reasons for wanting children by country, son and daughter preference, and family size values. Chapter IV focuses on the relationship between variables relating to the value of children and culture and socioeconomic status. Chapter V examines background characteristics of participants by analyzing the strength of relationships among sociodemographic variables, economic and social-psychological dimensions of having children, and fertility and family planning indices. Chapter VI discusses findings and makes policy and program recommendations. A copy of the core questionnaire is provided. (KC)