Impact of Son Preference on Fertility in Punjab, Pakistan: Evidence Based on MICS 2017-18

Abstract

Traditional societies found to be greatly under the influence of sex-ideology and high fertility. Despite implementation of fertility regulations, favorable results remain unachieved in many developing countries including Pakistan. In case of Pakistan, progress towards achieving SDG Agenda 3 of Good health and wellbeing and Agenda 5 of Achieving gender equality also appear unsatisfactory. One form of gender inequality is son preference which is widely documented as an important factor contributing to high fertility levels. In this regard, the present study explores the role played by son preference in affecting fertility using data from MICS 2017-18 Punjab, Pakistan. Four proxies are used to study fertility namely, children ever born, desire for more children, ever used contraceptives and birth interval. Since son preference can’t be stated directly, it is implied through the variables of gender of the child and the mortality status with key focus on gender and mortality of first and previous child. Additionally, effect on fertility also checked in case of death of any son, irrespective of the birth order. To reduce the potential bias in estimates, the study controlled for a number of characteristics at woman, husband and household levels. Results confirm the presence of son preference playing a significant role in impacting fertility in Punjab, Pakistan. As compared to first-born child being a boy, women with first-born girl are found to have more number of children ever born, greater desire to have more children and lesser proportion of ever-used contraceptives. Birth interval estimations also revealed significantly shorter gaps in case of girl being the previous child, instead of a boy, proving childbearing decisions to be greatly influenced by the desire of sons. Splitting the mortality variables based on gender of the children also verified the preference for sons. Mortality of first boy, previous boy and any boy irrespective of birth order are found to accelerate fertility in form of more children ever born, greater desire for more children, lesser contraceptive usage and shortened birth intervals. Calculations also carried out for girls’ mortality, though, the magnitude and significance found higher in case of male mortality. Controlling for the covariates, the study recommends focusing on provision of secondary and higher education to both spouses and delivering family planning messages through TV media in order to increase contraceptive usage.