Abstract

PIP: A study of intermediate variables affecting fertility in 3 rural villages and suburbs of Xianyang City, China was carried out to examine historical changes in household economy and socioeconomic factors from 1949-1987. Women in 151 households were surveyed in January-May 1988 on topics ranging from education status, marriage age, reproductive history, contraceptive history, occupation, to child-costs. Some data from a prior survey of 1000 married women in the province are also included. The marriage age was as low as 15 in older women, but 80% of women married at age 20-22 in 1985-87. The women had approximately 12% high school, 30% junior high school, 30% elementary school educated and 30% illiterate. Total fertility ranged from 4-8.5 in the 1940s-19509s, to 2.5 in the 1980s. Now most women prefer 2 children, although some want 3. Most wished for 1 son and 1 daughter. Neither education nor socioeconomic status affected sex preference. Costs and benefits of children, particularly the role of males in providing income for parents, were strong motivators. Analyses of costs of children showed that parents were very aware of the income derived from male children, but did not take into account the time spent raising children, nor did they realize the income girls bring in, a low but steady income while boys are still in school. Boys cost more to raise because of significantly higher expenses for 1st month celebration and marriages. Girls costs were higher for clothing, but they bring in money at marriage. In China today the actual fertility rate is higher than the expected because of male sex preference, problems with contraceptive supplies, and lack of awareness of the negative impact of social and economic policies on family planning.