“Daughter-Only” Families in Selected High and Low Son Preference States in India: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

The deep-rooted patriarchal norms and the culture of son preference in India played a central role for avoiding the birth of a girl child. This study attempts to understand the extent of acceptance of daughters in selected high and low son preference states of India by using data from District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS) 3 and 4. Understanding the characteristics of the couples who have stopped childbearing only with daughters provide insights about the prevailing norms on acceptance of daughters. The results revealed that, from DLHS 3 to 4, there is an increasing trend in the daughter preference in both high and low son preference states. The results of the study indicate that the acceptance of daughters is initially emerging among younger, educated, urban and richer couples. The gradual increase in acceptance of daughters reveals weakening of rigid patriarchal norms and son preference in the study states.