International Institute for Population Sciences
Deemed to be University (An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India)

Introduction: In the recent past, from a demographic viewpoint, India has been consistently showing inequality in the sex ratio. There has been a strong preference for sons in northern India. This preference has been thoroughly established through various studies (Arnold, Choe, and Roy 1998; Miller 1981; Williamson 1976). Objectives: Here we explore the trends, differentials and determinants of son preference over a period of time in India. Data and methods: The present study used all five rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS), data for analysis. Married women aged 15–49 years with at least one ideal child were only included in the study. We pooled the data of all five rounds of survey. Bivariate analysis was performed to examine association and thereafter, logistic regression analysis was performed to understand the relationship of selected characteristics with son preference in all four surveys. Findings & Conclusion: With advancement in educational level, son preference behaviour decreases among women. Women with no education have higher son preference behavior than those who have completed their secondary or higher education. In all NFHS rounds, women in households with members less or equals to five and female household heads showed lower son preference behavior. Over three decades, the prevalence of son preferential behavior has decreased significantly in all six Indian zones. Although there is a declining trend in the level of son preference over a period of time but still we found that there is strong son preference in all survey round. Son preference, which is very vigorous among Indian women, is mainly associated with lack of education and socio-religious limitations. Keywords: NFHS; Gender bias; Son preference; Logistic regression; Regions of India