Why do women bear more? The impact of energy poverty on son preference in Chinese rural households

Energy poverty and gender bias are two global issues, with women often bearing the brunt. By reexamining the relationship between the two and harnessing the synergies of relevant policies, it can aid in advancing demographic transition and sustainable development (gender equality). This paper utilizes data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to investigate the impact of household energy poverty on son preference. The findings indicate that energy poverty amplifies the preference for boys within households. Even after addressing endogeneity issues and conducting a series of robustness tests, our results remain robust. Women's employment, family authority, and social status emerge as three primary channels of transmission. Furthermore, the impact of energy poverty on son preference is more pronounced in the central and western regions, low-income families, and those dominated by male heads. Our findings represent a significant step toward unveiling the perpetuation and shifts in China's rural son preference phenomenon, offering new perspectives for subsequent research endeavors.