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Unintended Consequences of Family Planning Policies on the Breastfeeding Gap between Sons and Daughters

Author

Listed:
  • Chae, Minhee

    (Nankai University)

  • Cai, Yong

    (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)

  • Kim, Jun Hyung

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)

  • Lavely, William

    (University of Washington)

Abstract

We examine the effect of a Chinese family planning policy (FPP) known as "Later, Longer, and Fewer" on the gender gap in breastfeeding. We find that FPP increased the daughter-son breastfeeding gap in favor of sons in rural areas. Mean intensity of the FPP predicts the gender gap to be 35% greater than the gap without FPP. The effects are explained by the skewed gender composition of last-born children produced by sex-selective stopping behavior. The findings indicate a way in which FPP, in the context of son preference, widens gender gap in child development.

Suggested Citation

  • Chae, Minhee & Cai, Yong & Kim, Jun Hyung & Lavely, William, 2023. "Unintended Consequences of Family Planning Policies on the Breastfeeding Gap between Sons and Daughters," IZA Discussion Papers 16190, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16190
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    breastfeeding; “Later-Longer-and-Fewer” campaign; son preference; family planning;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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