Missing Time with Parents: Son Preference among Asians in the United States

Neeraj Kaushal, Columbia University
Felix Muchomba, Columbia University

We study prevalence of son preference in families of East and South Asian origin living in the U.S. by investigating parental time investments in children using American Time Use Surveys. Estimates show that East and South Asian mothers spend additional 39 minutes of total time and 30 minutes of quality time per day with their young (aged 0-5 years) sons than with young daughters; fathers’ time with young children is gender neutral. We find gender specialization in time with children aged 6-17 with fathers spending more time with sons and mothers spending more time with daughters.