title: Sex ratio at birth in China: features and influences.
abstract: The gradual increase in the sex ratio at birth (SRB) that has been recorded in China since 1980 is examined, and an attempt is made to identify the reasons for this increase. The author concludes that "such demographic variables as child-bearing age, parity and the sex of children have not determined the rising SRB since the 1980s in China.  Rather, the traditional bias towards giving birth and reporting male offspring was responsible for the high SRB score and for the disparities in SRB between different socio-economic groups." The extent to which the birth of female babies is not reported is assessed, as is the extent of sex-selective abortion.
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D001208:Asia; D002681:China; D003625:Data Collection; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D004467:Economics; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005195:Family Relations; D005202:Asia, Eastern; D009679:Nuclear Family; D011153:Population; D011154:Population Characteristics; D012098:Reproduction; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012743:Sex Preselection; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Abortion, Induced; Asia; China; Data Collection; Data Reporting; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Eastern Asia; Economic Factors; Error Sources; Family And Household; Family Characteristics; Family Planning; Family Relationships; Fertility Control, Postconception; Measurement; Population; Population Characteristics; Reproduction; Reproductive Technologies; Research Methodology; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Sex Preselection; Sex Ratio; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic Status; Sons; Undercount