WATERING THE NEIGHBOUR'S GARDEN: THE GROWING - CICRED

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WU H. –M. FELDMAN –JIN X. –LI S.
interactions among network members will increase women’s desired
age at first marriage and diversify their contraceptive use after
migration (Yang et al., 2004; Jin et al., 2005). Thus research on
migration based on social networks may help to understand the
evolution of migrants’ attitudes and behaviours (Bongaarts and
Watkins, 1996; Friedkin, 1997; Kohler et al., 2001; Yang et al., 2004; Jin
et al., 2005). Although some studies have indicated that migrants’ son
preference may change after migration, and are affected by other
factors such as age and education (Hong, 2005; Yang et al., 2002), there
have been few empirical studies focusing on attitudes and behaviours
related to son preference among migrants. Using data from a survey of
temporary immigrants in Shenzhen conducted by the Institute for
Population and Development Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong University in
April 2005, this chapter investigates such attitudes and behaviours.
Logistic regression is used to analyze the effects of social networks,
migration and individual factors on these attitudes and behaviours of
the rural-urban migrants in China.
2. Study design and Analytic Framework
Rural-urban migration may dramatically change individuals’
lifestyles. During the process of migrants’ adaptation to cities, their
attitudes and behaviours may also change. Research on Chinese
migration and change of attitudes towards childbearing indicate that
social networks, migration history, and individual factors have effects
on migrants’ attitudes and behaviours concerning son preference.
2.1. Social network factors
A social network is a set of nodes (people, organizations or other
social entities) connected by a set of relationships, such as friendship,
affiliation or information exchange (Mitchell and Clyde, 1969).
Personal networks have the capacity to meet individuals’ emotional
needs, and to provide instrumental assistance, information and advice
on daily life, all of which can affect individual’s attitudes (Shye et al.,
1995). The social network can also provide individuals with examples
of behaviours that may alter or reinforce their attitudes, and may
eventually influence their behaviours, a process referred to as social
learning and social influence (Bongaarts and Watkins, 1996; Friedkin,
1997; Kohler et al., 2001). Thus, rural-urban migrants’ attitudes and
behaviours related to son preference are expected to be influenced by
the overall effect of their network members’ attitudes towards son
preference.