China's One-Child Policy and the Care of Children: An Analysis of Qualitative and Quantitative Data

Abstract

Gender bias in family formation in China is well documented. Much less is known about how children fare once they become part of a family. Drawing on fieldwork and survey data, we describe the care of young children, and investigate the relationship between the one-child policy and parental involvement in care. Results indicate that the one-child policy, insofar as it limits couples to one or two children, leads to greater involvement by parents in child care. Additional effects ofpolicy vary by children's gender. Boys receive similar care regardless of the one-child policy in their communities. Girls, living in communities where couples are permitted another child if theirfirst is a girl, are more likely to receive parental care than girls in other communities. These results suggest that gender bias in China is not solely due to outdated feudal ideas resulting in son preference.