ETHNIC DIFFERENCES VALUE AND SEX PREFERENCE OF CHILDREN IN THE CITY OF MAKU

Ethnicity is one of the most important social and cultural context of childbearing. The aim of this article is to examine the impact of ethnic differences on the gender preferences and value of children among Kurdish and Turkish women in the city of Maku. The method was survey and data collected using questionnaire with a sample size of 384 Kurdish and Turkish married women, aged between 15-49 years old, who were selected by multi-stage sampling. The results showed that the value of children and high fertility (three children and more) is more common among the Kurds than the Turks. Among the women of both groups, there is still son preference, but this preference is greater among Kurdish than Turkish women. The results of multivariate analysis indicated the significantly effect of ethnicity on gender preference and value of children. In fact, despite controlling of the effects of demographic variables, ethnicity has positive and significant effects on the son preference and value of children. Fertility behaviors are influenced by socio-economic, cultural and demographic backgrounds of society. Among them, ethnicity, as a socially-culturally construct, has key role on fertility and childbearing.