The preference for sons may cause fertility rates to level off above replacement levels in developing countries.

Question

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The preference for sons may lead to lower levels of female fertility due to selective abortions or neglect of female children, leading to a reduction in the number of births and a leveling off of fertility rates above replacement levels. In some cultures, there is a strong preference for having sons over daughters. This can lead to families continuing to have children until they have a son, causing fertility rates to remain above replacement levels. This phenomenon has been noted in some developing countries, such as India and China. However, it is not the only factor affecting fertility rates and cannot be used to generalize all developing countries.

The Preference for Sons May Cause Fertility Rates to Level