Chinese parents with only daughters report higher happiness than those with only sons, study finds
A study of Chinese General Social Survey data from 2012 to 2021 found that parents with only daughters reported slightly higher happiness than those with only sons. The effect was most pronounced among middle-aged parents in rural areas who had exactly two daughters. The findings challenge traditional cultural preferences for sons.
The study drew on six waves of the Chinese General Social Survey spanning 2012 to 2021, encompassing nearly 50,000 respondents nationwide, including over 45,000 parents from urban and rural settings. Happiness was measured through a standard five-point self-rating scale, and families were grouped by both the number and gender composition of their children.
Notably, the happiness advantage associated with daughters was most pronounced among middle-aged rural parents with exactly two daughters. While additional children generally correlated with greater happiness only among parents aged 60 and older, the daughter-related benefit appeared independent of that pattern. The findings stand in contrast to longstanding cultural traditions in China and India that prioritize sons for family lineage and elderly support.
This research could gradually influence family planning attitudes in China, where son preference has historically shaped demographic patterns. If the findings gain traction, younger couples may feel less pressure to pursue male children, potentially easing gender-selective practices. Policymakers and social services could also use such evidence to rebalance cultural narratives around daughters' value, though deeply entrenched traditions may resist change. The study's rural focus suggests its greatest impact could be in areas where son preference remains strongest.