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Son Preference, Gender Discrimination and Missing Girls in Rural Spain, 1750-1950

Author

Listed:
  • Francisco J. Marco-Gracia

    (Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain)

  • Francisco J. Beltrán Tapia

    (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway)

Abstract

Relying on longitudinal micro data from a Spanish rural region between 1750 and 1950 (almost 35,000 life courses), this article evidences that discriminatory practices affected sex-specific mortality during infancy and childhood. Although it is likely that families also discriminated girls during the first year of life, the female excess mortality was especially visible in the 1-5 age-group. In this regard, while breastfeeding seemed to have temporarily mitigated the effects of gender discrimination, sex-specific mortality rates behaved markedly different once children were weaned. Parents therefore prioritised boys during infancy and childhood in the allocation of food and/or care in order to enhance their survival chances.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco J. Marco-Gracia & Francisco J. Beltrán Tapia, 2020. "Son Preference, Gender Discrimination and Missing Girls in Rural Spain, 1750-1950," Documentos de Trabajo (DT-AEHE) 2007, Asociación Española de Historia Económica.
    • Handle: RePEc:ahe:dtaehe:2007
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    Cited by:

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    2. Francisco J Beltrán Tapia & Francisco J Marco-Gracia, 2022. "Death, sex, and fertility: female infanticide in rural Spain, 1750–1950 [Son targeting fertility behaviour: some consequences and determinants]," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 26(2), pages 234-254.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • 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
    • N33 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Europe: Pre-1913

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