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

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  • Francisco J. Marco‐Gracia
  • Francisco J. Beltrán Tapia

Abstract

Relying on longitudinal microdata from a Spanish rural region between 1750 and 1950 (almost 35,000 life courses), this article provides evidence that discriminatory practices affected sex‐specific mortality during infancy and childhood. Although it is likely that families also discriminated against girls during the first year of life, female excess mortality was especially visible in the 1–5 age group. While breastfeeding seems to have temporarily mitigated the effects of gender discrimination, sex‐specific mortality rates behaved very differently once children were weaned. Parents, therefore, prioritized 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, 2021. "Son Preference, Gender Discrimination, and Missing Girls in Rural Spain, 1750–1950," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 47(3), pages 665-689, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popdev:v:47:y:2021:i:3:p:665-689
    DOI: 10.1111/padr.12406
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    1. 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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    More about this item

    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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