The Sex of Firstborn Children and Intimate Partner Violence in India

This article asks whether the sex of a woman's firstborn child affects her risk of intimate partner violence in India. It looks at differences between states with different sex ratios at first birth, and at differences by mother's education. In states where first births are skewed towards boys, having a firstborn daughter raises both the risk and the severity of violence against the mother. The effect on sexual violence is especially strong among uneducated women in these states. The authors link this to son preference and to how gender discrimination and violence are reproduced within households.

Key points

• In states with masculine sex ratios of first births, firstborn daughters raise the risk and severity of intimate partner violence.
• The effects of firstborn daughters on sexual intimate partner violence are especially strong among uneducated women in these states.
• Son preference at low birth orders means the sex of a firstborn child can contribute to violence against mothers.
• The findings give new insight into how gender discrimination and violence are reproduced in households.

Limitations

Only the abstract is available, so the data source, methods and size of the effects are not stated. The outcome is violence against mothers rather than violence against children, so the direct implications for child well-being are indirect.