The impact of subjective norms on the intention to select fetal sex in rural China

SynopsisUsing the Theory of Reasoned Action and primary data collected from surveys conducted in three counties of a Chinese province (which we refer to as “SX Province”), we analyzed the impact of subjective norms on an individual's behavioral intention to select the sex of their fetus. We found that in rural areas the son preference of other people within an individual's social ties structure (subjective norm) has a significant impact on sex-selection intention for a son but that this varies depending on the strength of the social tie. The greatest influence is from strong ties either of blood or of marriage. This result suggests that the decision of whether or not to select the sex of one's fetus during pregnancy is determined primarily by the individual's attitudes toward the sex of their fetus which, in turn, is shaped by the son preference of groups within an individual's social ties structure (subjective norm).