Exploring Gender Preference, Marriage Age, and Family Size Aspirations among Prospective Spouses in Jahrom, Southern Iran

Background: Iran has witnessed a significant and rapid decline in fertility rates over the past few decades, a phenomenon referred to as the reproductive revolution. One crucial factor influencing fertility rates is the preference for a child’s gender, which can impact family size. This study aimed to determine the gender preference and desired family size among marriage candidates in Southern Iran in 2021.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 744 marriage candidates from Jahrom County, Fars province, Iran, selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire. Experts confirmed the questionnaire’s face validity and its reliability was established with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.81.Results: Of the participants, 54.6% were women, 86.8% resided in urban areas, and 60.6% had a diploma or lower educational level. The mean age at first marriage was 26.86±8.22 years, and the mean desired number of children was 2.09±1.10. The preference for a boy as the first child was 24.6% among men and 22.9% among women, while the preference for a girl was 17.4% among men and 24.1% among women (P=0.084). Furthermore, 46.4% of men and 47.8% of women believed they would continue having children if they did not have a son (P=0.72). Factors such as gender, age, education, occupation, monthly income, and place of residence showed no association with the preference for a boy as the first child (P 0.05).Conclusion: On average, marriage candidates desired two children. There was a slight preference for boys. It is recommended that adolescents and young adults receive appropriate education about gender equality in schools and universities to mitigate gender bias and discrimination at the community level.