Analysis of the human sex ratio. Factors influencing family size in Libya

• Published in: The Journal of heredity Vol. 74; no. 1; p. 39
• Main Authors: Al-Rubeai, M A, Abdulla, A S, Gray, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-01-1983
• Subjects: Education; Family Characteristics; Female; Humans; Libya; Male; Sex Ratio; Libya; Northern Africa; Arab Countries; Africa; Socioeconomic Status; Educational Status; Mediterranean Countries; Libya; Socioeconomic Factors; Sex Ratio; Economic Factors; Family Characteristics; Population Characteristics; Sex Factors; Sex Distribution; Population; Developing Countries; Family And Household; Family Size; Demographic Factors
• ISSN: 0022-1503
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a109715

In 1981, data were obtained on sex of children and family size for 502 University of Garyounis, Benghazi, Libya, students and their parents. Secondary sex ratios (males: 100 females) were 105.1 for the parental and 106.7 for the present generations. Average numbers of children per family were 10.67 (5.48 males, 5.19 females) and 7.77 (4.01 males, 3.76 females) for the parental and present generations, respectively. Average number of children per family was influenced by level of formal education of the parents, especially that of the mother. The percentages of families stopping with three, four, five, and six children were greater when both sexes were present than when existing children were of the same sex; however, these differences associated with combinations of sexes were not significant. The lack of significant correlations between sexes of children within families, the absence of consistent patterns of significant chi-squares in the factorial analysis of associations between sexes of different births, and the agreement between observed and expected frequencies of sexes of children within families indicated a high degree of independence between sexes of children within families of the Libyan population.