Choosing Daughters

Family Change in Rural China

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Anthropology
Cover of the book Choosing Daughters by Lihong Shi, Stanford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Lihong Shi ISBN: 9781503603004
Publisher: Stanford University Press Publication: August 8, 2017
Imprint: Stanford University Press Language: English
Author: Lihong Shi
ISBN: 9781503603004
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Publication: August 8, 2017
Imprint: Stanford University Press
Language: English

China's patrilineal and patriarchal tradition has encouraged a long-standing preference for male heirs within families. Coupled with China's birth-planning policy, this has led to a severe gender imbalance. But a counterpattern is emerging in rural China where a noticeable proportion of young couples have willingly accepted having a single daughter. They are doing so even as birth-planning policies are being relaxed and having a second child, and the opportunity of having a son, is a new possibility.

Choosing Daughters explores this critical, yet largely overlooked, reproductive pattern emerging in China's demographic landscape. Lihong Shi delves into the social, economic, and cultural forces behind the complex decision-making process of these couples to unravel their life goals and childrearing aspirations, the changing family dynamics and gender relations, and the intimate parent–daughter ties that have engendered this drastic transformation of reproductive choice. She reveals a leading-edge social force that fosters China's recent fertility decline, namely pursuit of a modern family and successful childrearing achieved through having a small family. Through this discussion, Shi refutes the conventional understanding of a universal preference for sons and discrimination against daughters in China and counters claims of continuing resistance against China's population control program.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

China's patrilineal and patriarchal tradition has encouraged a long-standing preference for male heirs within families. Coupled with China's birth-planning policy, this has led to a severe gender imbalance. But a counterpattern is emerging in rural China where a noticeable proportion of young couples have willingly accepted having a single daughter. They are doing so even as birth-planning policies are being relaxed and having a second child, and the opportunity of having a son, is a new possibility.

Choosing Daughters explores this critical, yet largely overlooked, reproductive pattern emerging in China's demographic landscape. Lihong Shi delves into the social, economic, and cultural forces behind the complex decision-making process of these couples to unravel their life goals and childrearing aspirations, the changing family dynamics and gender relations, and the intimate parent–daughter ties that have engendered this drastic transformation of reproductive choice. She reveals a leading-edge social force that fosters China's recent fertility decline, namely pursuit of a modern family and successful childrearing achieved through having a small family. Through this discussion, Shi refutes the conventional understanding of a universal preference for sons and discrimination against daughters in China and counters claims of continuing resistance against China's population control program.

More books from Stanford University Press

Cover of the book Giorgio Agamben by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book The World Under Pressure by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book The Migration Apparatus by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Insufficient Funds by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book In the Wake of Neoliberalism by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Interdisciplinary Conversations by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Inclinations by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Reframing Finance by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Architects of Austerity by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book The Parable and Its Lesson by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Pricing Credit Products by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Between Foreigners and Shi‘is by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book ¡Tequila! by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Judging Policy by Lihong Shi
Cover of the book Wronged by Empire by Lihong Shi
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy