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Husband, sons and fertility gap: Evidence from India

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  • Ankita Mishra
  • Jaai Parasnis

Abstract

Fertility gap—the difference between a woman’s ideal number of children and her actual number of children—is prevalent in both directions. We investigate the distribution of fertility gap in India and factors that lead to women exceeding or underachieving their ideal number of children. We find that son preference has a significant effect, contributing to negative as well as positive fertility gap. Further, we find that a husband’s preferences, in terms of his ideal family size and preference for a son, significantly shape the fertility gap. Our results point to the need for accounting for gender norms and household perspective in fertility analysis and policy settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Ankita Mishra & Jaai Parasnis, 2019. "Husband, sons and fertility gap: Evidence from India," Monash Economics Working Papers 17-18, Monash University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:mos:moswps:2018-17
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhiqiang Dong & Yaseen Alhaj‐Yaseen & Yang Jiao & Yuejun Zhong, 2021. "Surplus men and scarce women: The impact of mating competition on the desire for sons in China," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 339-371, August.
    2. Ankita Mishra & Jaai Parasnis, 2022. "Intentions for a third child: The role of parental sex composition preferences," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(3), pages 472-487, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility; India; fertility gap; son preference; household bargaining;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • 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

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