THESIS
2007
xv, 232 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm
Abstract
This thesis rests primarily to investigate the role played by gender equity on fertility in Hong Kong. Two dimensions of this role are examined with the first stage pertaining to untangle the determinants of gender equity while the second stage putting the emphasis on tenacious linkage between fertility and gender equity. On the basis of a novel analytical framework by incorporating the unique qualities of gender equity of Hong Kong into changing dynamic of gender equity, several hypotheses about these two stages have been formulated. In an examination of three rounds of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Survey conducted by Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, quantitative analyses reveal that relative resources between husband and wife and normative context are important pred...[
Read more ]
This thesis rests primarily to investigate the role played by gender equity on fertility in Hong Kong. Two dimensions of this role are examined with the first stage pertaining to untangle the determinants of gender equity while the second stage putting the emphasis on tenacious linkage between fertility and gender equity. On the basis of a novel analytical framework by incorporating the unique qualities of gender equity of Hong Kong into changing dynamic of gender equity, several hypotheses about these two stages have been formulated. In an examination of three rounds of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) Survey conducted by Family Planning Association of Hong Kong, quantitative analyses reveal that relative resources between husband and wife and normative context are important predictors of gender equity in Hong Kong. And the effect of relative resources on gender equity varies a lot across the normative context. While the cultural belief about gender equity was male authoritarian in the 1960s, relative resources played a significant role in shaping gender equity at home. On the other hand, relative resources waned in importance when the normative context about gender role was egalitarian in the 1980s. This interesting pattern confirms that gender equity is a changing process instead of a static phenomenon.
Furthermore, this thesis has provided a reconciling ground towards the conflict between pure gender- based power imbalance model and McDonald’s (2000) incompatibility of gender equity hypothesis concerning the relation between gender equity and fertility. Gender equity has been found to be negatively related to fertility because it is affected by an interaction between situational and psychological determinism. However, since these two opposite forces operate between gender-based power imbalance model and McDonald’s (2000) incompatibility of gender equity hypothesis, it is difficult to reach a conclusion which forces have dominating power. Hence, this thesis has put the gender equity measures alongside with newly developed incompatibility index as a reconcile ground. And an inverse relation between gender equity and fertility is found to dominate McDonald’s (2000) incompatibility of gender equity hypothesis.
Key words: Gender equity, fertility, Hong Kong
Post a Comment