Effects of son preference on fertility: A parity progression analysis

This article assesses the strength of son preference in Bangladesh, as reflected in fertility behavior. Although the fertility rate for Bangladesh declined from 6.3 children per woman of reproductive age in the year 1975 to 2.3 children in 2014, empirical results show that son preference has still a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Corvinus journal of sociology and social policy 2019-01, Vol.10 (1), p.27-45
Main Author: Hoq, Mohammad Nazmul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to education
Broadcasting
Child sex preferences
Childbearing
Childbirth & labor
Children
Couples
Demography and human biology
Fertility
Higher education
Mass media
Mass media effects
Motivation
Parity
Rural schools
Wealth
Women
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Summary:This article assesses the strength of son preference in Bangladesh, as reflected in fertility behavior. Although the fertility rate for Bangladesh declined from 6.3 children per woman of reproductive age in the year 1975 to 2.3 children in 2014, empirical results show that son preference has still a strong influence on fertility behavior. Keeping cognizant of this fact, this study examines levels and differentials in fertility and also investigates the effects of son preference on fertility in Bangladesh. In addition, the study inspects the underlying factors responsible for son preference. Levels of fertility indicate that the proportion of higher education of a couple is inversely related to fertility, whereas rural and Muslim couples in Bangladesh have more children. The bivariate analysis shows that almost all the independent variables selected for this study have a significant association with parity progression. Findings from multivariate analyses suggest that women with at least one son are less likely to continue childbearing than women without sons at parities 2-3. At most or all parities, continued childbearing is negatively associated with education, access to mass media, and family wealth. A significant source of motivation for parity progression in couples is the desire to have a son.
ISSN:2062-087X
2061-5558
2062-087X
DOI:10.14267/CJSSP.2019.1.2