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Sex Preference and the Value of Sons and Daughters in Nepal

1988; Wiley; Volume: 19; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/1966752

1728-4465

Yagya B. Karki,

Global Maternal and Child Health

Sex preference and the specific value of sons and daughters to parents in Nepal are examined using rural and urban survey data from 1979. Ideal family size among all respondents was, on average, three children, with two sons and one daughter the preferred sex composition for about 90 percent of all respondents. Among those who reported current contraceptive use, the mean number of living sons was higher than the mean number of living daughters for all respondents. Most couples have at least one son before they adopt contraception; respondents had, on average, three to four births before adopting contraception. Sons are preferred to daughters by Nepalese parents mainly for socioeconomic and religious reasons, as opposed to the economic reasons reported elsewhere in many developing societies. The findings indicate that the economic motive for having both sons and daughters may be weakening in Nepal, but that a preference for sons does exist.Sex preference and economic and economic utility of sons and daughters in rural Nepal was examined by surveying a town and a rural district of the west central hill region in 1979. 871 women aged 15-39 were asked census type questions, fertility information and questions on the value of children. In this area the total fertility rate is 6.4 in the rural area and 4.3 in the town. Parents and children farm the hillsides, or men migrate out to find work. Most families prefer 2 sons and 1 daughter, or 1 son and 2 daughters as second choice. Although sons are preferred for old age security as well as religious ritual value, daughters are also valued for their role in religious festivals as well as for their emotional contribution to family life. Girls marry early and universally in Nepal because of the religious merit bestowed on those who give them in marriage. The son preference affects contraceptive behavior to the extent that Nepalese rarely begin contraception until their desired number of sons are born. People are beginning to articulate their realization that large families are contributing to shortage of cultivable land and to the deteriorating fuelwood and water supplies in the hills of Nepal.