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Uncovering Son Preference Cultures from Migrants under Endogenous Destination Selection

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  • Kai Liu, Xiangqing Liu, Anwen Zhang and Zhongliang Deng

Abstract

This paper examines the cultural component of son preference through rural-to-urban migration in China, using a large representative dataset covering migrants from all origins to all destinations. Employing a generalized Roy model with a control function approach, we show that conventional epidemiological-approach estimates overstate cultural persistence. Correcting for endogenous destination selection reduces the estimated effect of origin-specific son preference on migrants’ fertility behavior by 57–71%. Differences among migrants in the same destination therefore reflect both cultural influences and non-random sorting. We further find that cultural persistence weakens in higher-income destinations but strengthens in areas with greater migrant concentration.

Suggested Citation

  • Kai Liu, Xiangqing Liu, Anwen Zhang and Zhongliang Deng, 2026. "Uncovering Son Preference Cultures from Migrants under Endogenous Destination Selection," Working Papers 2026_05, Business School - Economics, University of Glasgow.
    • Handle: RePEc:gla:glaewp:2026_05
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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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