A General Theory of Gender Preference for Children

Previous studies of gender preference were usually based on a gender discrimination approach. This approach identifies son preference with gender preference, and the causes of gender preference explained most through parents’ side. The primary purpose of this study is to provide an alternative theory of gender preference.
For this study, the value of children(VOC) is defined at the macro level, based on the Coleman’s Rational Choice Model. VOC consists of three elements-(1) the child capital, (2) the resources in which the child has interests but parents control, and (3) parent’s power. The first element is related to the demand side of the value of children: the side of parents who determine the resources in which they have interests but children control. The second and third elements explain why children of a particular gender provide their parents with child capital and how parents ensure they will obtain that capital. If these three elements of the value of children tend to concentrate in children of a particular gender, then the value of children of that gender is assumed to be higher than that of the other gender. Also the value of children of a particular gender is determined by the family strategy whereby individuals use their kin in the historical and cultural contexts of the society in which they live.