SON AND DAUGHTER PREFERENCES IN BENIGHAT, NEPAL - IMPLICATIONS FOR FERTILITY TRANSITION

Married women in Benighat, Nepal stressed old age security and continu ity of lineage as prominent reasons for wanting sons. In addition, wom en clearly desired daughters too-an important finding that is less oft en stressed. Religious reasons and help with household chores were the most common reasons reported for wanting a daughter. Strong desires f or sons could increase fertility in settings whew fertility is control led. Additional desires for daughters could have an additional pronata list influence. For Benighat we document a pervasive desire for at lea st two sons and at least one daughter. If realized, these sex composit ion preferences would increase fertility by 50 per cent. Actual effect s are no doubt smaller, but the effects of sex preference on the desir e for more children and on contraceptive use are clearly visible.