EFFECTS OF FAMILY SEX COMPOSITION ON FERTILITY PREFERENCE AND BEHAVIOR IN RURAL BANGLADESH

The effects of family sex composition on fertility preferences and beh aviour during the period 1977-88 are examined using longitudinal data from Matlab, Bangladesh. The sex composition of living children was fo und to be systematically related to fertility preferences and behaviou r, with a higher number of sons at each family size associated with a higher percentage of women wanting no more children, a higher percenta ge currently using contraception, and lower subsequent fertility. Howe ver, the highest percentage wanting no more children, using contracept ion and having lowest subsequent fertility was found among women who a lready had one daughter as well as at least one son. The effects of se x preference on fertility preferences and behaviour were measured usin g an index developed by Arnold (1985). The results suggest that while sex preference remained largely unchanged during the study period, its effect on contraceptive use declined and its impact on actual fertili ty remained modest and fairly stable.