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Son Preference and Gender Gaps in Child Nutrition: Does the Level of Female Autonomy Matter?
Authors: Shatanjaya Dasgupta
Source: Review of Development Economics, 20(2): 375–386; DOI: 10.1111/rode.12231
Topic(s): Child health
Fertility preferences
Gender
Nutrition
Son preference
Women's autonomy
Country: Asia
  India
Published: MAY 2016
Abstract: This paper examines the association between parental son preference and child anthropometric status, and the extent to which this relationship depends on the level of female autonomy. Results highlight the importance of maternal son preference and mothers' involvement in household decision making when gender gaps in child nutrition are considered. These findings have important policy implications.