PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Sex Preference”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Racial/ethnic preferences, sex preferences, and perceived discrimination related to end-of-life care.

This study investigated racial/ethnic preferences, sex preferences, and perceived discrimination related to end-of-life care. Ten focus groups and a follow-up survey were conducted to obtain in-depth information on end-of-life preferences across five racial/ethnic groups in Michigan stratified by sex. There were 73 focus group participants, including Arab Muslims, Arab Christians, Hispanics, blacks, and whites. The mean age+/-standard deviation was 67+/-8.5 (range 50-83). A focus group screener was used to recruit participants. A moderator discussion guide was used to guide the focus groups. A take-home questionnaire asked about demographic information and end-of-life issues. Arab Americans were in favor of making peace on earth and were against assisted suicide, extending life artificially, nursing homes, and telling the patient "bad news." Hispanic and black women were against assisted suicide and in favor of extending life, whereas the men in these groups felt the opposite. Hispanic women spoke of not wanting a feeding tube and would consider alternative medicine. Blacks were least opposed to nursing homes. For whites, it was important to have choices. When asked about discrimination related to end-of-life care, Muslim women spoke of cultural barriers, blacks spoke of inequities in the past, and whites spoke of age discrimination and abandonment when dying. As the population becomes more diverse and continues to age, it will be important to provide culturally and sex-sensitive end-of-life interventions to increase patient/family satisfaction and allocate resources appropriately.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Individual sex preferences and the population sex ratio of newborns.

This paper proposes the hypothesis that countries with stronger sex preferences are more likely to have a negative relationship between crude birth rates and male/female ratios of newborn babies. Conversely, the existence of a significantly negative relationship in any country may also be a supportive evidence of its preferences for sons. Our hypothesis is both behavioral and biological: on the behavioral side, parents with strong sex preferences are inclined to continue to bear children if the existing sex ratio of children is less than desirable. On the biological side, parents with many girls are more likely to be "girl producers", who with individual-specific biological characteristics tend to generate higher female births. We use the macro data in the United Nations Demographic Yearbook to verify and test our hypothesis. For developing countries which do not have reliable micro data on fertility, our approach using macro data is a useful and interesting alternative.

Female↗
PubMed1988

On tests for sex preferences.

"This paper presents a critical evaluation of three widely used tests for sex preferences: sex ratio, parity progression ratio and ordinary least squares [OLS] regression of birth interval. We show that under some appropriate conditions, the sex ratio is a valid test for sex preferences. The methods of parity progression ratio and OLS regression of birth interval fail to deal with right censoring and time varying covariates, which reduce the power of the tests. We suggest the use of hazard estimation to test for sex preferences. We demonstrate the differences among the tests by analyzing the retrospective fertility histories of the Chinese and the Malays in Malaysia. We find that unlike the two conventional methods, the hazard estimation gives clear and strong evidence of sex preferences among the Chinese in Malaysia."

Asia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Fetal sex preference of second-trimester gravidas.

Fetal sex preferences of pregnant women are based on psychological, physiologic, economic, and sociologic factors. Parental responses to the knowledge of fetal/infant sex range from feticide to preferential treatment of the preferred-sexed child. This study describes the sex preferences, sex beliefs, attempted sex preselection techniques, and desire to know the fetal sex of 243 second-trimester gravidas. Data demonstrated a willingness to disclose sex preferences, with 81% declaring a preference. The majority of women (81%) also wished to know the sex of their child prior to delivery regardless of their acknowledgment of a sex preference. The results of this survey offer implications for research on the phenomena relating to sex preference.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex preference and fertility in Peninsular Malaysia.

This study uses data from the Second Malaysian Family Life Survey, conducted in 1988, to examine parents' preferences for the sex of their children within each of Malaysia's three ethnic groups. While Malay and Indian parents do not show a consistent sex preference, Chinese parents prefer to have all sons, or a combination of sons and daughters, with more sons than daughters, or at least an equal number of them. Son preference among the Chinese does not seem to be a constraint to fertility decline among that population. Since 1970, Chinese fertility has dropped rapidly; at the same time, Chinese son preference has become more pronounced. Evidence indicates that further reductions in Chinese fertility, through the reduction in sex preference, would be small.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sex preference and the value of sons and daughters in Nepal.

Sex preference and the specific value of sons and daughters to parents in Nepal are examined using rural and urban survey data from 1979. Ideal family size among all respondents was, on average, three children, with two sons and one daughter the preferred sex composition for about 90 percent of all respondents. Among those who reported current contraceptive use, the mean number of living sons was higher than the mean number of living daughters for all respondents. Most couples have at least one son before they adopt contraception; respondents had, on average, three to four births before adopting contraception. Sons are preferred to daughters by Nepalese parents mainly for socioeconomic and religious reasons, as opposed to the economic reasons reported elsewhere in many developing societies. The findings indicate that the economic motive for having both sons and daughters may be weakening in Nepal, but that a preference for sons does exist.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Male adolescents and physician sex preference.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the physician sex preference of male adolescents and to explore the factors that may moderate this preference. DESIGN: Anonymous survey. SETTING: An adolescent clinic associated with a large pediatric hospital centrally located within a metropolitan Midwestern city. PARTICIPANTS: The 67 male adolescent patients in the convenience sample ranged in age from 10 to 18 years, and 43.3% were African American, 40.3% were white, and 16.4% were classified as "other." More than half of the subjects reported being raised by a single mother with just enough money to meet their basic needs. INTERVENTION: None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Among the variables investigated were expressed physician sex preference and participant connectedness to a male and/or female parent or role model. RESULTS: More subjects reported a preference for a female physician (50.8%) than for a male physician (39.4%) when the examination was a physical or medical checkup. The preference for a female physician during a genital examination was also higher (49.2%) than preference for a male physician (39.1%). Analysis of variance revealed significant ethnic group differences in physician sex preference (F2,64 = 12.02, P<.001). African American males had a significantly higher preference for a female physician than did whites or those who identified themselves as other. Neither socioeconomic status nor age demonstrated a statistically significant effect. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary investigation has provided evidence that ethnicity of the adolescent and the sex of the examining physician may contribute significantly to the success of the health care interaction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Sex preference and contraceptive behaviour among men in Mbeya region, Tanzania.

While recent studies confirm parental child sex preference in less developed countries, its pattern varies. Son preference is especially prevalent in Bangladesh, China, India, and Pakistan. Sex preference in sub-Saharan Africa is a neglected area of enquiry. Completed research focuses on women's views to the neglect of men, despite the latter's importance as primary decision-makers. This study identifies factors influencing contraceptive behaviour among men in Mbeya region, Tanzania, demonstrating how it is affected by their preferred family sex composition. Data used were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 600 men aged 16-50 and six focus groups conducted in the region's rural and urban areas. Using single statements and Coombs' Scales, sex preference was found to be prevalent in the study area, with sons strongly preferred to daughters. Sex preference is significantly associated with the number of existing daughters a man has, his marital status, residence and occupation. Findings suggest programmes should be initiated to challenge men's attitudes towards one-sex family composition. Men should be educated about the advantages of small family sizes and persuaded that both children's sexes are equally important. Such measures can assist men in reconsidering their desired family sizes, reduce biases towards one sex, minimise marital problems and improve women's status. Efforts to increase contraceptive use in Tanzania will be hampered, however, if men maintain their preference for sons over daughters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Determining the impact of sex preferences on fertility: a demonstration study.

The stopping rule measure of sex preferences represents a combination of psychological measures of preference and behavioral intentions. This study of 172 college students demonstrates that the stopping rule measure is a useful and practical method of measuring sex preferences. The results further indicate that parity progression ratio measures inherently underestimate the effect of sex preferences on individual fertility because they incorrectly assume that sex preferences (a) are homogeneous within the population and (b) can only act to increase, not to decrease, fertility. Use of the stopping rule measure to predict the possible effects of sex preselection techniques on fertility is also discussed.

Decision Making↗
PubMed2005

Female patients' sex preferences in selection of gynecologists and surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the authors investigated sex preferences for gynecologists and surgeons among female patients, and explored potential contributing factors. METHODS: One hundred forty-six female patients were surveyed in a private practice office concerning their sex preferences and past obstetric/gynecologic care. For data comparisons, chi2 or Fisher exact tests were used. RESULTS: Gynecologist sex preferences were similar between male (30%), female (35%), and no sex preferences (35%). Patients who had a female obstetrician at their first delivery or began their gynecologic care with a female were more likely to prefer a female gynecologist. Multiparous patients were more likely to state no preference for a gynecologist. There were no statistical differences in sex preferences when patients were stratified by age, race, educational background, age of first gynecologist visit, or the age at their first delivery. About half of the patients (51%) stated that they preferred a male surgeon; only 3% preferred a female surgeon, and 46% stated they had no preference. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation demonstrated that women's preferences for a gynecologist were divided equally between preferring a male, a female, and having no preference. Our study did find, however, that about half of the female patients preferred a male surgeon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Impact and determinants of sex preference in Nepal.

CONTEXT: Gender discrimination and son preference are key demographic features of South Asia and are well documented for India. However, gender bias and sex preference in Nepal have received little attention. METHODS: 1996 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey data on ever-married women aged 15-49 who did not desire any more children were used to investigate levels of gender bias and sex preference. The level of contraceptive use and the total fertility rate in the absence of sex preference were estimated, and logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between socioeconomic and demographic variables and stopping childbearing after the birth of a son. RESULTS: Commonly used indicators of gender bias, such as sex ratio at birth and sex-specific immunization rates, do not suggest a high level of gender discrimination in Nepal. However, sex preference decreases contraceptive use by 24% and increases the total fertility rate by more than 6%. Women's contraceptive use, exposure to the media, parity, last birth interval, educational level and religion are linked to stopping childbearing after the birth of a boy, as is the ethnic makeup of the local area. CONCLUSIONS: The level of sex preference in Nepal is substantial. Sex preference is an important barrier to the increase of contraceptive use and decline of fertility in the country; its impact will be greater as desired family size declines.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Intention versus behaviour in parental sex preferences among the Mukogodo of Kenya.

The relationship between parents' stated sex preferences for children and actual parental behaviour towards sons and daughters is examined among the Mukogodo, a group of traditional pastoralists in rural Kenya. Although their cultural values are male-centered and they tend to express a preference for sons, Mukogodo parents actually appear to be more solicitous of daughters, and the Mukogodo have a strongly female-biased childhood sex ratio. Studies of stated sex preferences should therefore be coupled with attempts to assess actual parental investment in sons and daughters.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1989

Parental sex preference and its effects on fertility intention and contraceptive use in Calcutta.

This study investigated parental sex preference and its effects on fertility intention and contraceptive use in Calcutta. It also investigated the socioeconomic differentials of these effects. Data on 4536 married women of childbearing age came from a cross-sectional survey of slum and non-slum areas conducted in 1970. Desired numbers of sons and daughters in the slum area were 1.89 and 1.30, respectively, and in the non-slum area, 1.63 and 1.17, respectively. 35% of slum women and 30% of non-slum women wanted to have more children, and 22% of slum women and 45% of non-slum women were reported to use contraceptives. The authors estimate that in the absence of parental sex preference, 11% fewer slum women and 12% fewer non-slum women would desire more children. On the other hand, 20% more slum women and 8% more non-slum women would use contraceptives in absence of parental sex preference.

Asia↗
PubMed1996

Mental representations of pregnant nulliparous women having no sex preference.

The objective was to elicit the mental representations about the sex of the future child of 89 nulliparous pregnant women who declared having no sex preference, using the Kelly's Repertory Grid. Analyses showed that 67% of these women had no explicit and clear representation about the sex of their first child. These data suggest that these pregnant women seemed really to have no sex preference.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Determining the impact of sex preferences on fertility: a consideration of parity progression ratio, dominance, and stopping rule measures.

The two methods commonly used to assess the effect of sex preferences on fertility are inadequate to the task. Parity progression ratio analyses suffer from logical problems stemming from the heterogeneity of sex preferences and the riskiness of fertility decisions. While conjoint measurement-dominance procedures overcome these logical problems, they cannot yield quantitative estimates of the impact of sex preferences on fertility. A stopping rule measure which overcomes these limitations is proposed and described and its potential for determining the effect of sex predetermination methods on population is discussed.

Attitude↗
PubMed2006

Gendering family composition: sex preferences for children and childbearing behavior in the Nordic countries.

It has been argued that a society's gender system may influence parents' sex preferences for children. If this is true, one should expect to find no evidence of such preferences in countries with a high level of gender equality. In this article, we exploit data from population registers from Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden to examine continuities and changes in parental sex preferences in the Nordic countries during the past three to four decades. First, we do not observe an effect of the sex of the first born child on second-birth risks. Second, we detect a distinct preference for at least one child of each sex among parents of two children. For third births, Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish parents seem to develop a preference for having a daughter, while Finns exhibit a significant preference for having a son. These findings show that modernization and more equal opportunities for women and men do not necessarily lead to parental gender indifference. On the contrary, they may even result in new sex preferences.

Attitude↗