Child Gender Preference Research Articles

Gender composition of children and desires for the next child in “son preference” countries

This paper studies the role of gender preferences for children in formation of desires for the next child in nine countries of the Middle East and North Africa, South and Central Asia, the Caucasus and Balkans. For all countries selected for the study, effects of son preference have been detected in actual fertility during recent decades, but gender preferences in desires for the next child have been studied much less systematically. Using Demographic and Health Surveys conducted in these countries in 2010–2021, desires to stop fertility and to have a child within 2 years are considered separately for women with one and two living children. For women with one living child, the gender of that child has a significant effect on these desires only in South-Asian countries, where women who only have a daughter are more likely to want to have another child within 2 years and less likely to want to stop childbearing compared to women who only have a son. For women with two living children, in most of the considered countries, the desire to have another child within 2 years only shows a preference for having at least one son, whereas the desire to stop fertility shows effects of balanced gender preference in six out of the nine countries. The preference for a balanced gender composition of children observed for the desire to stop fertility actualizes the question of whether a son preference will remain unchallenged in actual fertility in these countries in the near future. In the final section, possible social correlates of son preference and balanced gender preference are discussed on the example of two countries, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Association of Antenatal Gender Preference with Perceived Stress among Pregnant Women

Background: Antenatal stress is the stress experienced by a pregnant mother as a result of stressful life circumstances. Gender preference for male children and dislike for female children prevails in many regions of the world. Therefore, this study aimed to determine how gender preferences during pregnancy, influenced by cultural and sociodemographic factors, contribute to perceived maternal stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between stress and gender preference in pregnant women. A total of 363 healthy pregnant females recruited from tertiary care hospitals of Karachi and Lahore via purposive sampling technique were first interviewed for demographic information. The self-structured questionnaire comprises items based on preferences in pregnancies and antenatal or postnatal psychological health, was then asked to be filled to determine the association between antenatal gender preference and perceived stress among the participants. Results: Male child preferences were significantly linked to antenatal stress (32.8%, p<0.05). Gender scans were performed in around 33.1% and 64.6%of mothers desired male children. The rationale behind it is that a male offspring will be able to support them in their later years. Conclusion: It was concluded that a significant association wasfoundbetween male child preferences and antenatal stress. Moreover, antenatal stress was also associated with younger mother age, low self-esteem, low socioeconomic position, and a strong familial desire for sons. Premature birth, low birth weight, and inadequate prenatal care are all possible outcomes of stress during pregnancy. Keywords: Gender Identity, Pregnancy, Prenatal Care, Psychological Factors.

Gender Preferences for Children and Gender Relations in Contemporary China

This study aims to investigate and compare the determinants of gender preference for children in rural and urban China under the values of children to parents (VOC) approach by focusing on the effects of attitudes to elder care and gender roles, and the attainment of insurance programs. Using pooled cross-sectional data from 2013 and 2015 of the Chinese General Social Surveys, we found that rural individuals expecting children responsible for old-age support exhibit daughter preference, followed by balance preference, whereas their urban counterparts show similar son preference and daughter preference. In addition, balance preference is associated with traditional gender role attitudes among rural individuals but correlated with more equal gender attitudes among urbanites. Furthermore, having more economic security decreases rural individuals’ preferences for having more daughters. The findings suggest that the prevalent balance preference and the rising preference for daughters have quite different implications on the gender relationship between rural and urban China, and traditionalism still drives gender preference in rural China. Policy implications are also discussed.

THE EFFECT OF GENDER ROLE ATTITUDES ON THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND CHILD GENDER PREFERENCE

Fertility is a biological phenomenon for reproduction, yet it is influenced by cultural and social values. Therefore, to examine health problems related to high fertility in a society, it is necessary to determine the fertility-related behaviors and attitudes of that society. This research was conducted to determine the effect of gender roles attitude on the number of children and child gender preference. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 101 women who were born and had spent most of their life in Şanlıurfa, who were married and had not yet reached menopause were included in the study. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method through the Data Collection Form and the Gender Roles Attitude Scale. In the study, in terms of gender roles, 8.9% of women had a traditionalist and 91.1% of them had an egalitarian attitude. Also, it was determined that socio-cultural factors such as education, working status, family type and ethnicity affect women's attitudes towards gender role, while gender roles attitudes have an effect on the number of children and gender preferences. According to the research findings, women with traditionalist gender role attitudes had higher number of children and preference for male children.

THE EFFECT OF GENDER ROLE ATTITUDES ON THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND CHILD GENDER PREFERENCE

Fertility is a biological phenomenon for reproduction, yet it is influenced by cultural and social values. Therefore, to examine health problems related to high fertility in a society, it is necessary to determine the fertility-related behaviors and attitudes of that society. This research was conducted to determine the effect of gender roles attitude on the number of children and child gender preference. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 101 women who were born and had spent most of their life in Şanlıurfa, who were married and had not yet reached menopause were included in the study. The data were collected by face-to-face interview method through the Data Collection Form and the Gender Roles Attitude Scale. In the study, in terms of gender roles, 8.9% of women had a traditionalist and 91.1% of them had an egalitarian attitude. Also, it was determined that socio-cultural factors such as education, working status, family type and ethnicity affect women's attitudes towards gender role, while gender roles attitudes have an effect on the number of children and gender preferences. According to the research findings, women with traditionalist gender role attitudes had higher number of children and preference for male children.

Analisis Permintaan Anak pada Wanita Bekerja di Indonesia

This study aims to analyze; (1) To what extent the influence of the wife's age on the demand for children for working women in Indonesia, (2) How far the influence of the husband's age on the demand for children working women in Indonesia, (3) How far is the influence of the wife's education level on the demand for children for working women in Indonesia, ( 4) The extent to which the influence of husband's education level on the demand for children for working women in Indonesia. (5) The extent to which the influence of the type of wife's work on the demand for children for working women in Indonesia. (6) The extent to which the influence of the husband's working status on the demand for children for working women in Indonesia. (7) The extent to which the influence of the sex preference of children on the demand for children of working women in Indonesia. (8) The extent to which the influence of household income on the demand for children of working women in Indonesia. The data used in this study is cross-sectional data collected from the 2022 KOR SUSENAS data. This research method uses logistic regression analysis techniques. Based on the results of the study: the wife's age, husband's age, wife's education level, husband's education level, wife's type of work, husband's working status, child's gender preference, and household income have a positive and significant effect on children's demand for working women in Indonesia. One of the policies that can be done to reduce fertility rates is the importance of increasing education, especially for women, delaying the age of marriage, and in particular planning for the sex of the child.

Correlates of Contemporary Gender Preference for Children in South Korea

AbstractThis study explores gender preference for children in South Korea, where a strong, traditional son preference has recently shifted to a greater preference for daughters or no preference. Using data from the 2008 Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC; N = 1,836) and 2012 Korean General Social Survey (KGSS; N = 1,355), we examined social and attitudinal correlates of child gender preference, including kinship patterns, perceived prospects for the future, and attitudes about the value of children, including potentially gendered expectations. Logistic regressions of child gender preference showed that mothers receiving support from maternal grandparents reported lower son preference (PSKC). Attitudes about both the instrumental (social, economic) and emotional value of children were also related to son preference. In the KGSS, individuals who preferred sons reported more traditional gender attitudes, positive future prospects, and greater expectations of help in old age and were more likely to be men, older, rural, or Buddhist. There were few differences between those who favored a daughter compared to no preference. Overall, the decline in son preference appears to reflect shifts in intergenerational relations and societal changes that have redefined the meaning and value of children in the context of economic uncertainties, very low fertility, and population aging.

Gender regimes, reproductive strategies and child sex preferences: A comparative study of villages in Jammu and Leh

ABSTRACT Much of the literature on sex ratio imbalances in India has focused on the North–South divide or exclusively on the North-western states of India. In this paper, we draw on ethnographic research on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, where the child sex ratio (0–6 years) plummeted in the 2011 census. We study two villages in the Hindu dominated district of Jammu and two in largely Buddhist Leh (in Ladakh) to understand how the gender preference for children is shaped in this culturally heterogeneous state. Our findings reiterate the importance of context in understanding sex ratio patterns and gender preferences for children, especially in the wake of declining fertility, which in some regions has led to intensified discrimination against girl children. We examine features such as the organization of kinship and marriage structures that entail diverse forms of post-marital residence, old-age support, workforce participation, household division of labor and political participation in the four villages. By engaging in detailed comparison, we propose that when underlying reasons for the devaluation of women in general, and daughters in particular, are absent (as in case of the Leh villages), the availability of sex-selective technologies does not have an adverse effect on demographic outcomes.

Violent Conflicts and Child Gender Preferences of Parents: Evidence from Nigeria

Violent Conflicts and Child Gender Preferences of Parents: Evidence from Nigeria

‘Not a bowl of rice, but tender loving care’: from aborting girls to preferring daughters in South Korea

ABSTRACT South Korea is the first country to shift from strong son preference to preferring daughters. This paper examines the factors associated with daughter preference, using data from the 2012 Korea General Social Survey, a nationally-representative survey of 1,379 people. The outcome variable was derived from the survey question, 'If you were to have one child, which one would you like to have - son, daughter, or no preference?' Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the association between reported child gender preference and several social and cultural variables. 43 per cent of respondents preferred daughters, 36 per cent preferred sons, and 21 per cent were indifferent. The probability of preferring daughters over sons increased with exposure to Korea's social transformations (younger, more educated, and urban residents); and among those less vested in the traditional patriarchal norms (women, non-Buddhists, and less conservative views on gender roles). Other studies in South Korea find increasing intergenerational support between parents and daughters. This is no longer an agrarian society where aging parents depend financially on sons. Today people can save for retirement and have national health insurance. However, people live longer and need companionship and care which they feel daughters provide more than sons.

New evidence on son preference among immigrant households in the United States

Abstract This paper provides new evidence on the acquisition and persistence of child gender preference among immigrant populations in the United States using Census and American Community Survey data. We first confirm the existing evidence of son preference among immigrant populations from South East Asia that was documented across multiple studies and samples. We then demonstrate several new empirical findings. First, Japanese immigrants exhibit daughter preference. Second, assortative matching between immigrant parents is associated with stronger gender preferences. Third, comparing male and female migrants who marry natives provides suggestive evidence that paternal preferences could be more to blame for son preference than maternal. Fourth, child gender preferences are strongest for migrants who arrive after childhood but do not appear to diminish with the duration of residence in the United States. Finally, while higher-order generations exhibit weaker son preference, there is a high degree of heterogeneity across groups. Most of the second- and higher-order generation immigrants assimilate more rapidly to US norms except Indian immigrant populations, which exhibit strong son preference among higher-order generations.

Gender Preference and its Influence on Fertility Intention in the low-Fertility Context of Tehran, Iran

Background & aim: A number of studies have addressed the positive effects of parental gender preferences for children on fertility in Iran. However, new demographic situations have left two questions unanswered: whether parents demonstrate gender preferences for children in a modern low-fertility society and if so whether such a preference is a strong predictor of the probability of having another child. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 450 married men and women residing in Tehran, Iran in 2014. The Data collection tool included a self-structured questionnaire entailing a demographic information form, fertility intention, and gender preference-related data. The data were analyzed in SPSS Software (version 24) using cross tabulation estimation and logistic regression. Results: 22.2% of men and 17.11% of women were reported to be in favor of having daughter, while 12.9% of men and 14% of women preferred son. Moreover, gender preference was found to have no significant effect on fertility intention. However, the women with same-sex children were 3.17 times more likely to desire another child, compared to those who have different sex composition (OR=3.178, P value= 0.000). Furthermore, the men in the age groups of ≤30 and 31-40 desired to have another child, compared to older men. Conclusion: While a preference for son is rooted in Iranian culture, a new gender preference is emerging with a strong tendency toward having a girl. However, gender preference was not a driving force in the continuation of fertility in the context of low fertility of Tehran.

Perception regarding child gender preferences among mothers in Dakshina Kannada district: A mixed methods study

Background: A reflection on the census 2011 data tells us that gender preference has only been on the rise these past years. Objective: To assess perception regarding gender preference among mothers in Dakshina Kannada district. Materials & Methods: 2 tertiary care centres attached with medical college were selected in Dakshina Kannada district. Quantitative variables were collected using a questionnaire and qualitative component was done through focused group discussion. Results: Child preference was seen among 32.2% of the subjects. Preference for Male child if the first child was a girl was significantly associated with lower education and low income (p<0.05). Conclusion: Son preference is still existent in the society but not universally. It is more so when the first born is a female child.

Thanks Dad: New Evidence on Son Preference among Immigrant Households in the U.S.

This paper provides new evidence on the acquisition and persistence of child gender preference among immigrant populations in the United States using Census and ACS data. We first confirm existing evidence of son preference among immigrant populations from South East Asia documented across multiple studies and samples. We then demonstrate several new empirical findings. First, Japanese immigrants exhibit daughter preference. Second, assortative matching between immigrant parents is associated with stronger gender preferences. Third, comparing male and female migrants who marry natives provides suggestive evidence that paternal preferences could be more to blame for son preference than maternal. Fourth, child gender preferences are strongest for migrants who arrive after childhood but do not appear to diminish with duration of residence in the U.S. Finally, while higher order generations exhibit weaker son preference, there is a high degree of heterogeneity across groups most second and higher order generation immigrants assimilate more rapidly to U.S. norms except Indian immigrant populations which exhibit strong son preference among higher-order generations.

Gender preference and its impact on families: a cross sectional study

Background: Despite tremendous economic progress made through liberalization and globalization, gender preference for children remains a major issue in any society throughout the globe. The aim of the study was to determine the gender preference for children and its impact on family among study population.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between October-2013 to December-2013 in the urban (Ratanpar) and rural (Khodu village) field practice area of C U Shah Medical College Surendranagar, Gujarat. Total 377 study participants were selected by using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using pre designed and pre tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS.Results: Out of total study population, about 78.8% were completed their family and 21.2% had desire for child in near future. Those who had completed their family, nearly two third of them were blessed with both male and female child (62%). Among those who had desire for child (n=80), about two fifth (41.2%) wished to have male child. At parity one, 52% had desire for only male child as next child and also strong preference for male child was observed at parity two and above among those having only female children.Conclusions: Study revealed that most of the couples wish to have at least one son in the family hence perception of parents towards desired gender of child to be born must be gravitated in favor of daughters.

Natives' and Immigrants' Gender Preferences for Children in Germany.

Little research has been conducted yet investigating gender preferences among immigrant parents in Western host countries. We add further empirical evidence to this sparse literature by analyzing pooled micro-census data for the years 2005-2013 from Germany. Next to updating earlier findings on the native population, we assess parental gender preferences in two large and culturally distinct groups of immigrants in Germany, namely those with Turkish and Polish origins. Our analysis indicates both daughter and son preferences in contemporary Germany and supports the notion of potentially changing gender preferences within ethnic groups over time as well as continuous differences between ethnic groups of natives and immigrants in Western societies. Whereas the observed differences between natives and immigrants suggest incomplete cultural assimilation with regard to gender- and family-related attitudes and values, they barely contribute to explaining differential fertility behaviors, as effects sizes tend to be fairly similar across groups.

「第2の人口転換論」における「家族形成の脱標準化」の検証 : 日本・台湾・韓国の出生動向: 子どもの性別選好の観点からのアプローチ

「第2の人口転換論」における「家族形成の脱標準化」の検証 : 日本・台湾・韓国の出生動向: 子どもの性別選好の観点からのアプローチ

Childbearing trends in Iceland, 1982–2013: Fertility timing, quantum, and gender preferences for children in a Nordic context

BACKGROUND Iceland is one of the most gender-equal countries in the world, but one that does not seem to have experienced the same fertility fluctuations as most other countries, following the enha ...

Parenthood and depression: is childlessness similar to sonlessness among Chinese seniors?

ABSTRACTWe investigate how the mental health of older adults (60–85) is associated with childlessness and sonlessness in China, where gender-biased filial expectations and strong son preference exist. The China Family Panel Study (2012, N = 6,021) and ordinary least squares regression models are used to investigate the relationship between depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale) and parental status, distinguishing between childless, parents of both sons and daughters, parents of only sons and parents of only daughters. Arguing that modernisation shapes gender preferences for children as well as formal care and pension provisions for older adults, we find a sharp rural–urban divide in the relationship between parental status and depression. Just having a son is not what matters as the best faring groups are parents who have both sons and daughters, regardless of the number of children. Rural childless and sonless are similar, whereas in urban areas parental status is not so salient, supporting modernisation theory.

Gender preference and perinatal depression in Turkey: A cohort study.

BackgroundChild gender preference is important in some cultures and has been found to modify risk for antenatal and postnatal depression. We investigated discrepancies in the child gender preference between participating women and other key family members and the extent to which these predicted perinatal depression.MethodsIn a large cohort study of perinatal depression in urban and rural Turkey, participants had been asked about child gender preferences: their own, and those of their husband, parents, and parents in-law. Of 730 participants recruited in their third trimester (94.6% participation), 578 (79.2%) were reassessed at a mean (SD) 4.1 (3.3) months after childbirth, and 488 (66.8%) were reassessed at 13.7 (2.9) months.ResultsNo associations were found between any gender preference reported in the antenatal period and depression at any examination. On the other hand, we found associations of antenatal depression with differences in participant-reported gender preference and that reported for their mother-in-law (OR 1.81, 1.08–3.04). This non-agreement also predicted depression at the 4 month (OR 2.24, 1.24–4.03) and 14 month (OR 2.07, 1.05–4.04) post-natal examinations. These associations with postnatal depression persisted after adjustment for a range of covariates (ORs 3.19 (1.54–6.59) and 3.30 (1.49–7.33) respectively).ConclusionsReported disagreement in child gender preferences between a woman and her mother-in-law was a predictor of post-natal depression and may reflect wider family disharmony as an underlying factor.