Selective gender differences in childhood nutrition and immunization in rural India: the role of siblings.
This article examines the role of the sex composition of surviving older siblings on gender differences in childhood nutrition and immunization, using data from the National Family Health Survey, India (1992-1993). Logit and ordered logit models were used for severe stunting and immunization, respectively. The results show selective neglect of children with certain sex and birth-order combinations that operate differentially for girls and boys. Both girls and boys who were born after multiple same-sex siblings experience poor outcomes, suggesting that parents want some balance in sex composition. However, the preference for sons persists, and boys who were born after multiple daughters have the best possible outcomes.
Pande
Rohini P
RP
International Center for Research on Women, 1717 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 302, Washington, DC 20036, USA. rpande@icrw.org
D001722:Birth Order; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011287:Prejudice; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D035781:Siblings