Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective
Abstract Background This study examines gender differences in early childhood cognitive development in rural China, focusing on the role of sibling structure. While gender disparities have narrowed in recent decades, concerns remain regarding unequal household resource allocation in low- and middle-...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23599-y |
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| author | Hongyu Guan Xiangzhe Chen Lidong Zhang Yunyun Zhang Yuxiu Ding Ai Yue |
| author_facet | Hongyu Guan Xiangzhe Chen Lidong Zhang Yunyun Zhang Yuxiu Ding Ai Yue |
| author_sort | Hongyu Guan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study examines gender differences in early childhood cognitive development in rural China, focusing on the role of sibling structure. While gender disparities have narrowed in recent decades, concerns remain regarding unequal household resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in contexts shaped by traditional son preference. Methods Data from 1,320 children aged 3 to 7 years across 11 nationally designated poverty counties in the Qinling Mountain region of western China were analyzed. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Chinese version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models were employed to investigate the associations between sibling structure and cognitive outcomes by gender. Results A negative association was observed between the number of siblings and cognitive scores, with a substantially larger effect for girls. Gender disparities were also evident across sibling composition and age spacing: girls with older siblings, especially those within a three-year age gap, exhibited lower cognitive scores than boys. With respect to birth order, both boys and girls demonstrated first-born and last-born advantages, though the cognitive benefits were less pronounced for girls. These disparities are likely shaped by resource dilution, reduced parental investment, and lower educational expectations for girls. Conclusions Gender differences in early cognitive development persist in rural western China and appear to be significantly influenced by family structure. Traditional norms may continue to affect intra-household resource allocation, often to the detriment of girls. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive policy interventions aimed at promoting equitable early childhood development and supporting long-term human capital accumulation. Trial registration Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a0111f6475f4212be00655d459f3664 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a0111f6475f4212be00655d459f36642025-08-20T04:02:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-08-0125111810.1186/s12889-025-23599-yGender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspectiveHongyu Guan0Xiangzhe Chen1Lidong Zhang2Yunyun Zhang3Yuxiu Ding4Ai Yue5Center for Experimental Economics in Education, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCollege of Economics, Xi’an University of Finance and EconomicsCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityCenter for Experimental Economics in Education, Faculty of Education, Shaanxi Normal UniversityAbstract Background This study examines gender differences in early childhood cognitive development in rural China, focusing on the role of sibling structure. While gender disparities have narrowed in recent decades, concerns remain regarding unequal household resource allocation in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in contexts shaped by traditional son preference. Methods Data from 1,320 children aged 3 to 7 years across 11 nationally designated poverty counties in the Qinling Mountain region of western China were analyzed. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Chinese version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV). Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models were employed to investigate the associations between sibling structure and cognitive outcomes by gender. Results A negative association was observed between the number of siblings and cognitive scores, with a substantially larger effect for girls. Gender disparities were also evident across sibling composition and age spacing: girls with older siblings, especially those within a three-year age gap, exhibited lower cognitive scores than boys. With respect to birth order, both boys and girls demonstrated first-born and last-born advantages, though the cognitive benefits were less pronounced for girls. These disparities are likely shaped by resource dilution, reduced parental investment, and lower educational expectations for girls. Conclusions Gender differences in early cognitive development persist in rural western China and appear to be significantly influenced by family structure. Traditional norms may continue to affect intra-household resource allocation, often to the detriment of girls. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive policy interventions aimed at promoting equitable early childhood development and supporting long-term human capital accumulation. Trial registration Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23599-yGender differencesCognitive developmentEarly childhood developmentSibling structuresSon preference |
| spellingShingle | Hongyu Guan Xiangzhe Chen Lidong Zhang Yunyun Zhang Yuxiu Ding Ai Yue Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective BMC Public Health Gender differences Cognitive development Early childhood development Sibling structures Son preference |
| title | Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective |
| title_full | Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective |
| title_fullStr | Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective |
| title_short | Gender differences in early childhood development in rural China: a sibling structure perspective |
| title_sort | gender differences in early childhood development in rural china a sibling structure perspective |
| topic | Gender differences Cognitive development Early childhood development Sibling structures Son preference |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-23599-y |
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