Speaker: Avi Ebenstein

Affiliation: Hebrew University

Subject: "Elderly Coresidence and Son Preference: Can Pension Reforms Solve the ‘Missing Women’ Problem?"

Abstract: In this paper, I examine the relationship between patrilocal norms that dictate elderly coresidence between parents and sons, and the sex ratio at birth. I argue that concerns over old age support are critical in explaining excess mortality among daughters. First, I demonstrate that sex ratios and coresidence rates are positively correlated when looking across countries, within countries across districts, and within districts across ethnic groups. Second, in a series of case studies, I examine how parents respond to a change in their expectation of relying on sons for old age support. I find that sex ratios decline in response to expansions in the availability of pensions but increase when pensions become less reliable.


Zoom meeting