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The glorified mothers of sons: Evidence from child sex composition and parental time allocation in rural China

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  • Fan, Yi
  • Yi, Junjian
  • Yuan, Ye
  • Zhang, Junsen

Abstract

We study the effects of sons versus daughters on parental joint time allocation between the labor market and the household. Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey from 1989 to 2006, we apply a fixed-effects model to control for cross-household heterogeneity in son preference. We find that the birth of sons rather than daughters significantly reduces maternal time spent on household chores, which we argue represents an increase in maternal intra-household bargaining power. However, the effects of sex composition of children on paternal time allocation and maternal time on labor-market activities are weak or mixed. Results are robust to a series of sensitive analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Fan, Yi & Yi, Junjian & Yuan, Ye & Zhang, Junsen, 2018. "The glorified mothers of sons: Evidence from child sex composition and parental time allocation in rural China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 249-260.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:145:y:2018:i:c:p:249-260
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2017.11.012
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    Cited by:

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    4. Li, Wenchao, 2023. "Gender of children and risky health behaviors: Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Son preference; Sex composition of children; Parental time allocation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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