Son preference and differential treatment in Morocco and Tunisia

This report investigates the links between son preference and differential treatment of children by analyzing data from the Demographic and Health Surveys of Morocco and Tunisia, two countries that are thought to vary considerably regarding indicators of gender. The analyses find no significant differences in either country in the duration and intensity of breastfeeding and small differences in favor of boys in Tunisia regarding immunization and the treatment of diarrhea. These findings, which are, to some degree, unexpected, are discussed in light of other research relevant to son preference in the two countries.