Sex Preference and Desired Family Size (A Case Study of Brahman Community in Selected Wards of Shankhupatichaur VDC, Kavre)

Abstract

This Study on Sex Preference and Desired Family Size is based on the primary data collected from the census type survey in 2005of Brahman Community in 3, 4and 6 wards of Shankupatichour VDC, Kavre. This study is mainly focused to examine the magnitude of sex preference and desired family size. What is the role of socio economic and demographic variables in determining family size and preference of sex. Simple Tables, Graphs and Charts are used to show the effects of sex preference on fertility behavior and the existingreasons of desire for children by sex. Data were collected from the ever-married maleand female aged 15-49. To collect the required responses open and closed type questions were administered for the eligible respondents. The ideal mean number (1.2) of son and daughter were found among male respondents but it is found that ideal mean number of son (1.3) and daughter (1.2)among female respondents. It shows the son preference is strong among studied ever married female than male. The mean CEB of the female respondents was found 3.2mean age at marriage was 19.5 years. About 38 percent male and 36 percent female have SLC level education followed by under SLC male 15 percent and female 25 percent. Out of the total respondents 5 percent men and 14 percent women were illiterate. The percent of male in Proficiency Certificate Level (PCL) and bachelor level are 28.4 and 13.5respectively. Where as 15.9 and 3.3 percent female are in PCL and Bachelor Level. As increases in the age of mother results increases in the mean desired family size. Mean desired family size was found highest 3.79 among respondents engaged in agriculture followed by 3.75 among service holders but mean ideal family size was found 1.2 for son and 1.3 for daughter. LIST OF TABLES 2.5 Distribution of ethnic groups of Shankhupatichaur VDC. 253.2 Distribution of studied caste among wards. 274.1 Distribution of ever-married male and female by age group. 314.2 Distribution of ever-married male and female by education. 324.3 Distribution of ever-married male and female by occupational categories. 344.4 Distribution of ever-married female according to the age at marriage by five year age group. 365.1 Distribution of ever-married male and female who stated the sex of their first child. 375.2 Distribution of desire for at least one child of each sex. 395.3 Distribution of ever-married male and female by reasons for wanting at least one son. 405.4 Distribution of ever-married male and female by reasons for wanting daughter. 415.5. Distribution of mothers by five years age group and mean number of children born. 435.6 Distribution of mean CEB by occupation of married women. 445.7 Distribution of dead children by miscarries, infancy and child hood455.8 Distribution of family planning method by ever married women. 466.1 Distribution of ever-married male and female by number of desired children. 486.2 Distribution of mean desired family size of ever married women by five year age group. 506.3 Distribution of mothers by mean desired family size according to occupation and age. 516.4 Distribution of respondents according to stated ideal number of son and daughter. 52