Sex Preference and Fertility in Myanglung Municipality, Tehrathum, Nepal

Abstract

Sex preference, particularly son preference, has long influenced marriage, fertility, family size, and contraceptive behavior in many South Asian societies. This study examines the relationship between sex preference and fertility in Myanglung Municipality, Tehrathum District, Nepal. A descriptive case-study design was employed using data collected through a 2025 household survey of 36 households in Ward No. 2, complemented by demographic and theoretical literature. The surveyed households comprised 117 individuals, including 57 males and 60 females. Data were collected on respondents' age, education, occupation, marital status, caste or ethnicity, household income, reproductive history, preferred sex of the first child, and decision-making authority regarding fertility. The findings reveal that 66.66% of respondents preferred a son as their first child, while 33.34% preferred a daughter. Fertility decisions were influenced by patriarchal family structures, economic security, lineage continuation, religious beliefs, gendered household roles, educational attainment, and joint participation of husbands and wives in reproductive decisions. As the data are descriptive and contain some denominator inconsistencies, the findings should be interpreted as indicative rather than representative. The study concludes that reducing son preference requires strengthening women's empowerment, expanding girls' education and employment opportunities, improving social protection, and promoting gender equality in inheritance, caregiving, and family decision-making.