title: Family, society, economy and fertility in Bangladesh.
abstract: "This paper examines the socio-economic and cultural conditions under which the large family represents a rational economic goal for parents [in Bangladesh]."  The author notes that rural children provide valuable labor services to parents during childhood, grown sons continue to support their parents financially and in other ways, and sons are the most reliable source of security in old age.  Daughters, however, remain at home and cost a significant amount for dowries at marriage.  It is concluded that prevailing socioeconomic conditions in Bangladesh still provide substantial support for high fertility and son preference.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mannan
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001459:Bangladesh; D001519:Behavior; D003469:Culture; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D004467:Economics; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D008393:Marriage; D009679:Nuclear Family; D009826:Old Age Assistance; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D011584:Psychology; D012723:Sex; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014933:Women's Rights
keywords: Asia; Bangladesh; Behavior; Cultural Background; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Dowry; Economic Factors; Family And Household; Family Characteristics; Family Relationships; Family Size; Family Size, Desired; Microeconomic Factors; Nuptiality; Old Age Security; Population; Population Characteristics; Psychological Factors; Sex Preference; Socioeconomic Factors; Sons; Southern Asia; Value Orientation; Women's Status