Sex Preference for Children and Its Implications for Fertility in Rural Bangladesh

In this study, the level and pattern of sex preference for children and its effects on fertility intention, fertility-regulating behavior, and fertility implications for women are investigated. Data are from a 1976 cross-sectional KAP (knowledge, attitude, and practice of family planning) survey and a three-year longitudinal study, conducted between December 1976 and 31 December 1979, of vital events for 860 married women of childbearing age from Companiganj, Bangladesh. The results show that although son preference is very strong in this area, more than 98 percent of women desire at least one daughter. However, women with a higher proportion of sons are less likely to want more children and are more likely to practice contraception and to be sterilized. Although women with a higher proportion of sons have somewhat lower fertility in the prospective follow-up period, the net effect of son preference on fertility is not significant, possibly because of the low level of contraceptive use in the population.