Can Risk Perception Alter Son Preference? Evidence from Gender-Imbalanced Rural China

It is well established that son preference is the crucial driver for sex ratio imbalance, and that there are risks stemming from such imbalance. Whether risks associated with a gender-imbalanced society may alter son preference will be explored in this study, which has so far received scant scholarly attention. Using data from the Consequences of Gender Imbalance Survey conducted in 2018, exploiting structural equation modelling, this paper shows that risk perception of gender imbalance has a significant and negative effect on stated son preference; however, entrenched traditional norms underpinning the institution of son preference, measured as gender role attitudes and the value of sons, are reinforced by risk perception. The effect of risk perception on weakening stated son preference is suppressed by gender role attitudes and the value of sons which are still upholding stated son preference. Overall, the effects of risk perception and social norms are additive, influencing stated son preference simultaneously, but traditional norms act as counteracting forces. This study makes an important step toward shedding light on both continuity and change in son preference in gender-imbalanced rural China, and offers new perspectives for future research.