Effect of son preference and population policy on sex ratios at birth in two provinces of China

J Biosoc Sci. 1993 Oct;25(4):509-21. doi: 10.1017/s002193200002188x.

Abstract

Two samples of births were used to examine the effect of son preference and population policy on sex ratios in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces of China. The results from all births to women aged 15-49 in the 1985 In-Depth Fertility Survey indicated a strong son preference but no clear policy impact on sex ratios at different birth orders. In a sample of selected births during 1975-84 to women aged 40 or under, the mixed influences of son preference and population policy were clearly reflected in the high and rising overall ratios at birth, and the increasing sex ratios with parity. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.

PIP: Evidence is presented showing that variations in the sex ratio at birth in China were related to respondents' independent and autonomous fertility decisions. Data were obtained from the 1985 In-Depth Fertility Survey, Phase I, conducted in Shanghai municipality, and in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces. Analysis was performed in an all-births approach adapted from Park (1983), for women aged 15-49 years, and for only births between 1975 and 1984. Family size and birth order effects were measured with a chi square partitioning method. Results were described for sex ratios at births and family size, birth order, and place of delivery; attention was also directed to female baby adoption and sex selected abortion. The findings showed a decidedly strong son preference in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces over the past 30 years. Size of family was inversely related to sex ratios at birth. Sex ratios were very high in 1=child families, and very high in families with 2-3 children. Sex ratios of last births (135) were higher than for preceding births. Sex ratios were unaffected by family size for the last born. The sex ratios between and within birth orders were not significantly different, when last births were excluded. 75% of the variation in sex ratios in Hebei province were accounted for by small vs. large family sizes, even when birth order was controlled; 94% of the variation in Shaanxi is accounted for by family sizes. Son preference affected the second child in 2-3 child families and the third child in 3-4 child families. Between 1975 and 1984; the sex ratios were higher than the norm of 106 and the ratios for 1980-84 were higher than for 1970-79. Analysis of all births showed no effect for birth order on the sex ratio, but in the selected birth analysis, sex ratios were higher as birth order increased. The effect of the 1=child policy may have been unreported female births living with parents, unreported female infanticide, or unreported female baby adoption. Adoption data showed a very low sex ratio for children adopted; Hebei had a sex ratio of adoptions of 38.9 and Shaanxi had a sex ratio of 73.6. Adoptions were small in number (75 for Hebei and 158 in Shaanxi). Analysis of sex ratios at birth by place of delivery showed that the proportions of infants born at home or somewhere else without professional assistance in urban Hebei and Shaanxi were higher in the selected 10-year period than in all births and higher sex ratios in small families.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Legal / statistics & numerical data
  • Birth Order
  • Birth Rate / trends*
  • China / epidemiology
  • Developing Countries*
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Public Policy*
  • Sex Ratio*
  • Sex*