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Effects of cultural transmission of surnaming decisions on the sex ratio at birth

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  • Liu, Xiran
  • Feldman, Marcus W.

Abstract

The patriarchal tradition of surnaming a child after its father in Han Chinese families may contribute to their preference for sons, a major cause of the abnormally high SRB (sex ratio at birth) in China. This high SRB can subsequently contribute to the marriage squeeze on males of marriageable age. Encouraging matrilineal surnaming has been proposed as a strategy that could potentially reduce son preference and help to adjust the imbalance in SRB. Here, we model factors that are likely to influence surnaming decisions, including cultural transmission of parents’ surnaming decisions, the cultural value of a daughter, reward given to matrilineal surnaming, and awareness of current imbalance in SRB. Mathematical and computational analyses suggest that offering a significant reward and raising public awareness of the problems inherent in an excess of marriage-age males may overcome the son preference and reduce the male-biased SRB.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Xiran & Feldman, Marcus W., 2021. "Effects of cultural transmission of surnaming decisions on the sex ratio at birth," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 44-53.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:thpobi:v:141:y:2021:i:c:p:44-53
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tpb.2021.07.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Das Gupta, Monica & Li Shuzhuo, 1999. "Gender bias in China, the Republic of Korea, and India 1920-90 - effects of war, famine, and fertility decline," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2140, The World Bank.
    2. Monica Das Gupta & Jiang Zhenghua & Li Bohua & Xie Zhenming & Woojin Chung & Bae Hwa-Ok, 2003. "Why is Son preference so persistent in East and South Asia? a cross-country study of China, India and the Republic of Korea," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(2), pages 153-187.
    3. Monica Das Gupta & Li Shuzhuo, 1999. "Gender Bias in China, South Korea and India 1920–1990: Effects of War, Famine and Fertility Decline," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 30(3), pages 619-652, July.
    4. Debarun Bhattacharjya & Anant Sudarshan & Shripad Tuljapurkar & Ross Shachter & Marcus Feldman, 2008. "How can economic schemes curtail the increasing sex ratio at birth in China?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 19(54), pages 1831-1850.
    5. S Anukriti, 2018. "Financial Incentives and the Fertility-Sex Ratio Trade-Off," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 10(2), pages 27-57, April.
    6. Fogarty, L. & Creanza, N. & Feldman, M.W., 2013. "The role of cultural transmission in human demographic change: An age-structured model," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 68-77.
    7. Nan Li & Marcus Feldman & Shripad Tuljapurkar, 2000. "Sex ratio at birth and son preference," Mathematical Population Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 91-107.
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    1. Denton, Kaleda K. & Kendal, Jeremy R. & Ihara, Yasuo & Feldman, Marcus W., 2023. "Cultural niche construction with application to fertility control: A model for education and social transmission of contraceptive use," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 1-14.

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