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Female Early Marriage and Son Preference in Pakistan

Author

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  • Mazhar Mughal
  • Rashid Javed
  • Thierry Lorey

Abstract

In this study, we employ pooled data from four rounds of Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) to examine whether, and to what extent, does the incidence of early marriage shape the married women’s perspectives on gender preference associated with reproduction. We employ a number of econometric techniques (Probit, OLS, Cox Hazard Model, IV Probit and treatment effects) and a large set of model specifications, and find significant evidence supporting the role of early marriage in perpetuating disproportionate preference for boys. Women who married before turning 18 not only state a greater desire for boys but are also less likely to stop reproduction as long as they do not have a boy. Early-age marriage is associated with 7.7–12.5 per cent higher incidence of fertility discontinuation among women without a son. This son-preferring behaviour is stronger at higher birth order and also reflects in differential spacing patterns. Women’s education appears to be the strongest channel through which these effects are mediated. The divergence between early- and late-marrying women appears to have sharpened over time. The findings of this study underscore the role played by early marriage in altering the gender-specific attitudes prevalent in the society, and highlight existing gender inequality traps.

Suggested Citation

  • Mazhar Mughal & Rashid Javed & Thierry Lorey, 2023. "Female Early Marriage and Son Preference in Pakistan," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(10), pages 1549-1569, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jdevst:v:59:y:2023:i:10:p:1549-1569
    DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2023.2217997
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    Cited by:

    1. Nazish Kanwal & Muhammad Ammad Khan & Anaya Manahil, 2025. "Unveiling the untold narratives: unraveling rural men’s perspectives on family planning in Pakistan," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 1-20, September.
    2. Muhammad Ishaque & Jack Hazerjian & Mohamad Ibrahim Brooks & Tabinda Sarosh & Madiha Latif & Maisam Ali, 2025. "The Effect of Offspring Gender Composition on Modern Contraceptive Uptake Among Married Women of Reproductive Age in Pakistan: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Ashok, Sumeet & Mughal, Mazhar & Javed, Rashid, 2024. "Mother’s age at marriage and gender-differential in child schooling: Evidence from Pakistan," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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