Son preference's impact on Indian fertility is examined within 14
major stares, utilizing the NFHS surveys of 1992-93 and l998-99 but with
emphasis on the NFHS-2 survey. The l4 states are grouped into two on the
basis of the strength of son preference. The analysis indicates that the birth
hazards for the gentler composition of surviving children are highest at
parity 3 for the majority of the M states. 'The intensification eject, or
increasing impact of son preference at lower parities, is manifested in
strong son preference stores experiencing large fertility declines such as
Punjab and Haryana. Son preference continues to affect fertility at lower
priorities and it is possible that a floor well above replacement level is
forming. especially in the populous northern/central stores. However, with
the increasing incidence of sex-selective abortions it is possible that lower
fertility with dramatically skewed sex ratios at birth will result
