Is son preference pervasive in India?

Type Working Paper - Journal of Gender Studies
Title Is son preference pervasive in India?
Author(s)
Volume 20
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2011
Page numbers 291-298
URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09589236.2011.593328#.VdkTyfntmko
Abstract
Indian women usually crave at least one son and will continue to try for a son even if they have five or more daughters. The spatial variation of women's preference for sons has been studied in this paper. We have also investigated the effect of socio-economic and socio-cultural variables on son preference through use of the National Family Health Survey data of 2005–2006. The study is based on 81,844 reproductive-aged women (15–49 years old) from all states in India. The Central Zone of India has the highest percentage of son preference while the South Zone has the least. Son preference, which is very strong among Indian women, is mainly correlated with lack of education and socio-religious constraints. It is also seen more in families with an agro-based economy.

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