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One male offspring preference: evidence from Vietnam using a split-population model

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  • Tien Vu

Abstract

This paper examines sex preferences for children in Vietnam using the mother birth cohort from 1972 to 1993. We specify the full set for sex–birth order composition of existing children using a split-population model. The model relaxes the assumption in conventional hazard models that all mothers would eventually have another child. Our results indicate a preference in these families for one male offspring. In addition, we observe a mixed sex preference at the fourth birth order. We also establish that a one-square-meter increase in household living area, as a proxy for the increment in household wealth, is associated with a 0.997 times lower preference for a son for the second childbirth, but a 1.015 and 1.014 times higher preference for a son for the third and fourth childbirths, respectively. As long as two-child families dominate the population structure, these results suggest that the importance placed on economic reasons for a son preference will gradually weaken as economic development proceeds in Vietnam. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Tien Vu, 2014. "One male offspring preference: evidence from Vietnam using a split-population model," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 689-715, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:reveho:v:12:y:2014:i:4:p:689-715
    DOI: 10.1007/s11150-013-9183-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Tien Manh Vu & Hisakazu Matsushige, 2016. "Gender, Sibling Order, and Differences in the Quantity and Quality of Education: Evidence from Japanese Twins," Asian Economic Journal, East Asian Economic Association, vol. 30(2), pages 147-170, June.
    2. Vu, Tien Manh & Yamada, Hiroyuki, 2020. "Sex Ratio and Religion in Vietnam," MPRA Paper 98854, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. 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.
    4. Tien Manh Vu & Hiroyuki Yamada, 2024. "Impacts of capital intensity on family formation and gender equality in Vietnam," Keio-IES Discussion Paper Series 2024-001, Institute for Economics Studies, Keio University.
    5. Vu, Tien Manh & Yamada, Hiroyuki, 2020. "The legacy of Confucianism in gender inequality in Vietnam," MPRA Paper 101487, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Son preference; Sex composition; Birth spacing; Birth order; Split-population model; J11; J12; J13;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • 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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