Journal of Contemporary China
Volume 21, Issue 73, 2012, Pages 93-111

The role of children in the migration decisions of rural Chinese women (Article)

Connelly R.* , Roberts K. , Zheng Z.
  • a Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME, United States
  • b Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, United States
  • c Division of Statistical Demography, Institute of Population and Labor Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Science, China

Abstract

This paper investigates the role that children play in the migration decisions of Chinese women. The presence of children of various ages is hypothesized to affect the timing of migration, the length of migration, and the nature of migration in terms of who goes along. In addition, we also investigate whether the sex of the children affects migration decisions. Results indicate that whether one's husband ever migrated has a positive effect on migrating before childbirth. Return timing is strongly linked to the age of the child. Many mothers return to rural areas around the time that the child begins formal schooling. We also find that women who have given birth to a boy are significantly less likely to migrate after childbirth but more likely to take the boy with her if she does migrate. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

family structure migration determinant rural area Child Welfare childbearing
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84858975727&doi=10.1080%2f10670564.2012.627668&partnerID=40&md5=a402fcab1f6d0eb8a864317007cf00b2
DOI: 10.1080/10670564.2012.627668
ISSN: 10670564
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English