Explaining son preference in rural India: the independent role of structural versus individual factors |
| |
Authors: | Rohini P Pande Nan Marie Astone |
| |
Institution: | (1) International Center for Research on Women, 1717 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 302, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA;(2) Department of Population and Family Health Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Much research has been done on demographic manifestations of son preference, particularly girls’ excess mortality; however,
there is less research that focuses on son preference itself. This paper analyzes the determinants of son preference in rural
India. We separate the independent, relative effects of characteristics of individual women and their households, village
opportunities for women and village development, and social norms. We look at both socioeconomic and sociocultural variables.
Finally, we examine whether predictors of son preference differ by desired family size. Our data come from the National Family
Health Survey (NFHS) India, 1992–1993. We use an ordered logit model, with dummy variables for state of residence. Our analysis
shows that women’s education, particularly at secondary and higher levels, is consistently and significantly associated with
weaker son preference, regardless of desired family size. Once factors measuring social norms, such as marriage customs, caste
and religion, are included, economic wealth and women’s employment at household or village levels are not significant. Media
access remains significant, suggesting an influence of “modernizing” ideas. Among social factors, caste and religion are associated
with son preference but, once state of residence is controlled for, marriage patterns and cultivation patterns are insignificant.
The strength and significance for son preference of many determinants differs by desired family size. Our results suggest
that policy makers seeking to influence son preference need to identify and target different policy levers to women in different
fertility and social contexts, rather than try an approach of one size that fits all. |
| |
Keywords: | Discrimination Gender India Inequality Son preference |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|