Preferences for the Sex of Children and Their Influence on Reproductive Behavior

Cleland, John; Verrall, Jane; Vaessen, Martin

doi:10.2307/1967078

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

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“…8 Nepal has revealed high levels of preference for sons since the World Fertility Surveys first documented the phenomenon in the 1980s. 9 Daughters are often considered to be an economic burden because of the dowry system and the fact that a girl will join her husband's family after marriage. Sons are highly prized because they continue the family name, are deemed crucial to perform funeral rites, are likely to bring in a daughter-in-law into the family and are expected to provide support for their parents in old age.…”

Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Falling sex ratios and emerging evidence of sex-selective abortion in Nepal: evidence from nationally representative survey data

Frost¹,

Puri²,

Hinde

2013

BMJ Open

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ObjectivesTo quantify trends in changing sex ratios of births before and after the legalisation of abortion in Nepal. While sex-selective abortion is common in some Asian countries, it is not clear whether the legal status of abortion is associated with the prevalence of sex-selection when sex-selection is illegal. In this context, Nepal provides an interesting case study. Abortion was legalised in 2002 and prior to that, there was no evidence of sex-selective abortion. Changes in the sex ratio at birth since legalisation would suggest an association with legalisation, even though sex-selection is expressly prohibited.DesignAnalysis of data from four Demographic and Health Surveys, conducted in 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011.SettingNepal.Participants31 842 women aged 15–49.Main outcome measureConditional sex ratios (CSRs) were calculated, specifically the CSR for second-born children where the first-born was female. This CSR is where the evidence of sex-selective abortion will be most visible. CSRs were looked at over time to assess the impact of legalisation as well as for population sub-groups in order to identify characteristics of women using sex-selection.ResultsFrom 2007 to 2010, the CSR for second-order births where the first-born was a girl was found to be 742 girls per 1000 boys (95% CI 599 to 913). Prior to legalisation of abortion (1998–2000), the same CSR was 1021 (906–1150). After legalisation, it dropped most among educated and richer women, especially in urban areas. Just 325 girls were born for every 1000 boys among the richest urban women.ConclusionsThe fall in CSRs witnessed post-legalisation indicates that sex-selective abortion is becoming more common. This change is very likely driven by both supply and demand factors. Falling fertility has intensified the need to bear a son sooner, while legal abortion services have reduced the costs and risks associated with obtaining an abortion.

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Section: Strengths and Limitations Of This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Falling sex ratios and emerging evidence of sex-selective abortion in Nepal: evidence from nationally representative survey data

Frost¹,

Puri²,

Hinde

2013

BMJ Open

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“…Previous studies of Chinese fertility in North America all assumed that there is no pronatalist ideology associated with this group (Goldscheider and Uhlenberg, 1969;Jiobu and Marshall, 1977;Johnson, 1980;Chui and Trovato, 1989). In fact, traditional Chinese culture is very pronatalist (Cleland et al, 1983;Coale, 1984;Stacey, 1983;Croll, 1985;Banister, 1987;Tang, 1995). Freedman and Coombs (1974) organized and coordinated a project concerning sex preference among developing and developed countries in the early years of the 1970's.…”

Section: Research Strategymentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrimination and Chinese fertility in Canada

Tang

Trovato

1998

Biodemography and Social Biology

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“…Social scientists have shown sustained interest in sex preference (see Sheps, 1963;Coombs et al, 1975;Williamson, 1976;Cleland et al, 1983;Arnold, 1985Arnold, , 1991Bongaarts and Potter, 1985;Lightbourne, 1985;McClelland, 1979McClelland, , 1983aLevine, 1987;Rahman and DaVanzo, 1993). A preference for sons is widespread, especially in South Asia, East Asia, and in some areas of the Middle East and North Africa (Williamson, 1976;Arnold, 1991).…”

Section: Previous Studies On Sex Preferencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Son and daughter preferences in Benighat, Nepal: Implications for fertility transition

Niraula

Morgan

1995

Social Biology

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Married women in Benighat, Nepal stressed old age security and continuity of lineage as prominent reasons for wanting sons. In addition, women clearly desired daughters too--an important finding that is less often stressed. Religious reasons and help with household chores were the most common reasons reported for wanting a daughter. Strong desires for sons could increase fertility in settings where fertility is controlled. Additional desires for daughters could have an additional pronatalist influence. For Benighat we document a pervasive desire for at least two sons and at least one daughter. If realized, these sex composition preferences would increase fertility by 50 per cent. Actual effects are no doubt smaller, but the effects of sex preference on the desire for more children and on contraceptive use are clearly visible.

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Preferences for the Sex of Children and Their Influence on Reproductive Behavior

Cited by 27 publications

References 0 publications

Falling sex ratios and emerging evidence of sex-selective abortion in Nepal: evidence from nationally representative survey data

Falling sex ratios and emerging evidence of sex-selective abortion in Nepal: evidence from nationally representative survey data

Discrimination and Chinese fertility in Canada

Son and daughter preferences in Benighat, Nepal: Implications for fertility transition

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