1. Progression to second birth in China: A study of four rural counties.
- Author
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Zhenchao Qian
- Subjects
- *
SECOND-born children , *SEX ratio , *BIRTH control , *SEX distribution - Abstract
Using a survey from four rural counties, this paper examines the progression to a second birth and the sex ratio at second birth. Women whose first-born is a boy are less likely to have a second child and the sex ratio at second birth is normal, while women whose first-born is a girl are much more likely to have a second child and the sex ratio at second birth is very high. Furthermore, women's educational attainment and county of residence affect the sex ratio at second birth. The author speculates that the high sex ratio at second birth is more likely to be achieved through sex-selective abortion for women with higher educational attainment, and for women with lower educational attainment by such other means as under-reporting of female births and giving up female babies for adoption. County of residence has the greatest impact on the percentage of women who have a second birth and the sex ratio at second birth. This effect relates to the way the family planning policy is enforced in each county. The paper suggests that local family planning offices benefit financially by receiving fines and fees from couples who violate the family planning policy, and use the money to enforce the policy among those who cannot afford the fines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 1997
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