By Obikeze, D. S.
This study explores son preference among Nigerian
mothers and its implications not only on desired fertility, but on
other aspects of social life (e.g. socialization, positions bascd on
gender, ctc.). The data for the study comcs from 1981-82
Nigerian Fertility Survey.
The practice of parents (in fact, the society) exprcssing and
showing prefcrence for male over female children has been reported
from virtually all raccs, all culturcs of the world (May, 1961; Goode,
1963; Williamson, 1976; Arnold and Zhcoxiang, 1986). However, its
prevalence and importance have differed greatly over time and space.