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The “miseries” of sex imbalance: Evidence using subjective well-being data

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  • Li, Wenchao

Abstract

We examine whether parents who have preference for sons and may practice gender selections, are adequately incorporating the implications of their aggregate preference and behavior. Using a nationally representative random sample of Chinese households, we show that facing high sex ratios (more men than women), parents with a son, relative to parents with a daughter, report lower evaluative, emotional, and eudaimonic well-being. We examine the role of reduced consumption, intensified status comparison, and increased income aspiration—which are motivated by a desire to help their son improve marriage prospects—as underlying mechanisms. The findings provide new perspectives on the welfare cost of sex imbalance.

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  • Li, Wenchao, 2021. "The “miseries” of sex imbalance: Evidence using subjective well-being data," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:151:y:2021:i:c:s0304387821000134
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102634
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Lin, 2022. "Patrilineality, fertility, and women's income: Evidence from family lineage in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    2. Yang, Xiaolan & Hong, Xiaoyue & Li, Wenchao, 2023. "“Only children” and entrepreneurship in China: Spillover effects and mechanisms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    3. Lei, Lei & Wu, Fengyu & Xia, Yiming, 2023. "Child Gender and Subjective Well-being of Older Parents in China," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1229, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. González, Fernando Antonio Ignacio, 2024. "Parental gender preferences over three centuries: Evidence from Argentina," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    5. Chen, Qihui & Huang, Juerong, 2022. "More Children, More Blessing? Fertility and Parental Happiness in Old Age in Rural China," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322180, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Subjective well-being; Sex imbalance; Life satisfaction; Happiness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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