RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Gender of Children, Bargaining Power, and Intrahousehold Resource Allocation in China JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 295 OP 316 DO 10.3368/jhr.46.2.295 VO 46 IS 2 A1 Lixing Li A1 Xiaoyu Wu YR 2011 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/46/2/295.abstract AB Based on the prevalent son preference in China, this paper proposes a new measure of relative bargaining power within the household. Using data from China Health and Nutrition Survey, we show that a woman with a first-born son has a 3.9 percentage points’ greater role in household decision-making than a woman with a first-born daughter. Having a first-born son improves the mother’s nutrition intakes and reduces her likelihood of being underweight. While thinking of these impacts as being channeled through intrahousehold bargaining power, we cannot fully rule out other possible direct effects of a first-born son on the outcomes.