title: Can concern for the long-term care of older parents explain son preference at birth in India?
abstract: This study examines whether concern for the long-term care of older parents is the primary reason for son preference in India. Controlling for important socioeconomic factors that are believed to affect son preference, we find that concern for long-term care is the principal cause of son preference in India. Sons serve as the primary caregivers to elderly parents, while daughters are mostly engaged in caring for parents-in-law. This trend is more acute in rural than in urban areas. Our study also finds a strong implication of the filial relationship for the long-term care of elderly parents.
authors.affiliation: a Graduate School of Economics , Nagoya University , Nagoya , Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kadoya
authors.affiliation: a Graduate School of Economics , Nagoya University , Nagoya , Japan.
authors.forename: Mostafa Saidur Rahim
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012424:Rural Population; D012945:Social Values; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Long-term care; professional care; social security systems; son preference