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

Wenchao Li

Journal of Development Economics, 2021, vol. 151, issue C

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.

Keywords: Subjective well-being; Sex imbalance; Life satisfaction; Happiness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D60 I31 J12 J13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:deveco:v:151:y:2021:i:c:s0304387821000134

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2021.102634

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