No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
Female foeticide in Punjab: Exploring the socio-economic and cultural dimensions
Abstract
It is a disgrace for the Indian society, which considers the birth of a girl child as a bad investment in future. She is considered to be consumer rather than a producer, and this narrow viewpoint of the Indian patriarchal society has lead to horrid practices like female infanticide and female foeticide. The present study was conducted in Punjab that has assisimilated one of the lowest sex ratios of the country. For the study, 240 respondents were taken from three districts of Punjab viz., Ludhiana having low sex ratio, Bathinda having medium sex ratio and Ferozepur having high sex ratio (according to provisional census of 2001) Majority of the sample taken for study approved of the heinous act of female foeticide. Escalating demands of dowry was cited as the main reason for it. Daughters were unable to provide social security to parents and called for unnecessary investment on themselves, the fruits of which were taken away by the in-laws. The respondents feared that the decline in sex ratio might lead to degradation of moral values in the society resulting in polyandry, violence against women, red trafficking etc. The suggestive measures which flew unabated from the study included strict implementation of laws banning female foeticide and dowry, providing old age pension for parents who had no son, free and compulsory education for girls, job reservation for women in specific occupations and giving them an equal share in the property, in the true sense of the word.
... Walia [46] analyzed the attitude, reasons and suggestion in her study on female foeticide among the farming and non-farming population groups of three districts, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ferozepur of Punjab. In Ludhiana respondents agreed to female foeticide. ...
... Here too dowry has emerged as the major reason of female foeticide. Walia [46] concludes in her study that an overwhelming majority of the respondents three districts expressed their apphrensions about finding a suitable match for their male children if the sex ratio continued to decline in future. They felt it might lead to a society where there would be "all male families". ...
... Walia [46] recommended some suggestion, we feel agreed, briefly as follows -Legislative measures should be stringently implemented to prevent female foeticide and female infanticide: The doctors and nurses who are found guilty should be brought to book. They wanted that laws should also be strictly enforced regarding giving and taking of dowry. ...
This paper explores the cultural domain wherein we try to locate the causes of missing girls with particular reference to Punjab, prevailing cultural constructions of the social structures wherein girls are born in outnumber as compared to boys but due to latter structures they continues to diminish since the ancient times. It captures on one side the state historical efforts to check it by means of the social legislation during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and during the pre and post independent times and links these efforts to the recent efforts of the government and further it illuminates how the advancement in medical technologies and medicines had been grossly (mis) used to determine the sex of the unborn child and finally reveal that how these technology has become the integral part of culture of Missing girls!
... In the interview with Janmanch, an Indian voluntary organization, a former civil surgeon and Haryana State Appropriate Authority for the Pre Natal Determination Technique Act, charges that doctors1, "have forgotten their ethics, and are organized in gangster-like Mafia and are making 2000 Indian rupees per day in commissions for ultrasonographers" (Leidl ,2005). Walia (2005) analyzed the attitude, reasons and suggestion in her study on female foeticide among the farming and nonfarming population groups of three districts, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ferozepur of Punjab ( Walia, 2005). In Ludhiana respondents agreed to female foeticide. ...
... In the interview with Janmanch, an Indian voluntary organization, a former civil surgeon and Haryana State Appropriate Authority for the Pre Natal Determination Technique Act, charges that doctors1, "have forgotten their ethics, and are organized in gangster-like Mafia and are making 2000 Indian rupees per day in commissions for ultrasonographers" (Leidl ,2005). Walia (2005) analyzed the attitude, reasons and suggestion in her study on female foeticide among the farming and nonfarming population groups of three districts, Ludhiana, Bathinda and Ferozepur of Punjab ( Walia, 2005). In Ludhiana respondents agreed to female foeticide. ...
... Here too dowry has emerged as the major reason of female foeticide. Walia (2005) concludes in her study that an overwhelming majority of the respondent's three districts expressed their apphrensions about finding a suitable match for their male children if the sex ratio continued to decline in future. They felt it might lead to a society where there would be "all male families" (Leidl, 2005). ...
This paper illuminates cultural domains wherein we try to locate the causes of missing girls in Punjab. The prevailing cultural construc-tions of the social structures wherein girls are born in outnumber as compared to boys, but due to latter they continue to diminish since ancient times. It captures on one side the state historical efforts to check it by social legislations during the eighteenth, nineteenth centu-ries and during the pre & post independent periods. Further on other it links to the efforts of the State government to illuminate how ad-vancement in medical technologies and medicines had been grossly mis/used to determine sex of unborn child and concludes that how these technologies have emerged as the integral parts of culture of Missing girls.
... 7 A study by Ajinder Walia also had similar views. 8 In present study, perceptions of females regarding gender discrimination and sex determination were also taken. Eighty eight percent were of view that even if family is complete with female child then also they would prefer to go for male child. ...
... Similar findings were reported in a study by BN Vadera et.al. 7 Ajinder Walia reports about the attitude towards the female feticide to be 41.25% in his study on "Female Feticide in Punjab": Exploring the Socioeconomic and cultural dimensions 8 . Though the Government is making tall claims regarding implementations of laws and regulations for preventing female feticide, but still the advertisement of prenatal diagnostic procedures are so strong that even the illiterate women were quiet aware of the facilities and provision of prenatal sex determination techniques. ...
Background: Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern. The problem is getting worse with the misuse of technology that facilitates pre-natal sex determination. This is happening across the country in spite of a massive influx of legal regulations banning the same. In this light, the study of awareness of same becomes very relevant and needs to be evaluated. At the heart of problem of female feticide is impact of advertisement about the facility of prenatal sex determination, and the unawareness about legal rules and regulations forbidding the same as PNDT Act. Aims: To study the awareness and perceptions of rural women regarding sex determination and gender discrimination Settings and Design: A Community based cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: Multistage sampling was used and 317 rural married women in reproductive age group were interviewed. Statistical analysis used: Result expressed in percentages and chi-square test. Results: 80% of females irrespective of their literacy status were aware about prenatal sex determination. However 67% were unaware of PNDT Act and the unawareness was significantly associated with literacy status of women. Regarding perceptions, 94% felt that females still do not enjoy equal rights as males. Eighty eight percent wished to conceive for male child if there family would have been complete with female children. Conclusions: : It is necessary to gear the efforts against this social malady by intensive IEC campaigns for raising awareness about rules forbidding pre-natal sex determination and strict implementation of PNDT Act. At the heart of problem is impact of advertisement about the facility of prenatal sex determination and the unawareness of legal regulations forbidding feticide as PNDT Act.
... [3] In another study, which was done by Walia, among adult populations in three districts of Punjab which had a low sex ratio, that is, in Ludhiana, Bhatinda, and Ferozpur, although the awareness regarding female feticide was found to be very high, the majority of the respondents approved of this heinous act. [4] In this study, high level of awareness of subjects about female feticide can be attributed to education given to them at different workshops and trainings as 96.2% of the subjects had received education about female feticide in different workshops attended by them. In this study, 52.6% of subjects cited carrying the name of the family as the main reason for son preference, whereas another 38.5% were of the view that in addition to carrying the name of the family, they are more intelligent and also take care of their parents. ...
Background
It is a matter of grave concern that a girl child continues to be insecure and vulnerable in the state of Punjab. To ingrain gender equality in social system, it is very important to make community an important stakeholder to deal with the situation. This study focuses on the awareness and perceptions of anganwadi workers regarding girl child discrimination and female feticide.
Materials and Methods
A total of 2206 anganwadi workers between the age group of 20–70 years of different blocks of Ludhiana district, Punjab, were enrolled. They had come for Anganwadi Worker (AWW) Training Workshop, organized at Urban Health Centre, Ludhiana, Punjab. Data were analyzed in terms of proportions.
Results
Study subjects showed high level of awareness about female feticide (98.8%). A majority of the subjects (93.3%) agreed to the fact that practice of discrimination is being followed between boys and girls. They were also of the opinion that this practice is harmful and it should be stopped (98.9%). Various contributing factors enumerated by them included sons are intelligent, carry on family lineage, and they take care of their parents in old age. Regarding perception of anganwadi workers for curbing this social evil, 70.7% of subjects were of the view that by giving equal opportunities, equal status to girls, and empowering girls, this practice can be stopped, while 42.4% of the subjects were of the view that increasing awareness among the rural women, parents, and family is the solution to stop this practice.
Conclusion
The anganwadi workers had optimum level of awareness about female feticide and almost all of them strongly felt that this harmful practice should be stopped altogether.
... In a case of female feticide, it is challenging to discover if the choice of having a boy is made voluntarily or was forced upon the parents. Coercive external forces can be socio-economic and cultural factors, such as not being able to afford the marriage of daughter, religious beliefs, the economic utility of sons, old-age security, continuity of lineage, and a social attitude that raising a female child is analogous to nurturing a neighbor's plant [40]. Parents who are living in the culture and society, which values sons more than daughters, may feel that their only option is to have a male child. ...
Female feticide has been increasingly reported in recent years in many of the Asian countries. Female feticide is associated with several demographic, sociological, and ethical challenges. Due to the advancement of the latest medical technology to screen for sex detection, female feticide has become an even bigger problem, resulting in various serious and unprecedented sex-ratio imbalances. This has helped to perpetuate gender discrimination against women, contribute to poor health in women and disrupt social and familial networks. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the context of sex-selective abortion, control policies, and practices in Asia through the eyes of public health ethics approaches. Moreover, the paper also provides possible recommendations to mitigate the issue based on the findings and best available practices.
... In a case of female feticide, it is challenging to disco- ver if the choice of having a boy is made voluntarily or was forced upon the parents. Coercive external forces can be socio-economic and cultural factors, such as not being able to afford the marriage of daughter, religious beliefs, the eco- nomic utility of sons, old-age security, continuity of lineage, and a social attitude that raising a female child is analo- gous to nurturing a neighbor's plant [40]. Parents who are living in the culture and society, which values sons more than daughters, may feel that their only option is to have a male child. ...
Female feticide has been increasingly reported in recent years in many of the Asian countries. Female feticide is associated with several demographic, sociological, and ethical challenges. Due to the advancement of the latest medical technology to screen for sex detection, female feticide has become an even bigger problem, resulting in various serious and unprecedented sex-ratio imbalances. This has helped to perpetuate gender discrimination against women, contribute to poor health in women and disrupt social and familial networks. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the context of sex-selective abortion, control policies, and practices in Asia through the eyes of public health ethics approaches. Moreover, the paper also provides possible recommendations to mitigate the issue based on the findings and best available practices.
... In a case of female feticide, it is challenging to disco- ver if the choice of having a boy is made voluntarily or was forced upon the parents. Coercive external forces can be socio-economic and cultural factors, such as not being able to afford the marriage of daughter, religious beliefs, the eco- nomic utility of sons, old-age security, continuity of lineage, and a social attitude that raising a female child is analo- gous to nurturing a neighbor's plant [40]. Parents who are living in the culture and society, which values sons more than daughters, may feel that their only option is to have a male child. ...
Female feticide has been increasingly reported in recent years in many of the Asian countries. Female feticide is associated with several demographic, sociological, and ethical challenges. Due to the advancement of the latest medical technology to screen for sex detection, female feticide has become an even bigger problem, resulting in various serious and unprecedented sex-ratio imbalances. This has helped to perpetuate gender discrimination against women, contribute to poor health in women and disrupt social and familial networks. The aim of this paper is to review and discuss the context of sex-selective abortion, control policies, and practices in Asia through the eyes of public health ethics approaches. Moreover, the paper also provides possible recommendations to mitigate the issue based on the findings and best available practices.
... In a case of female feticide, it is challenging to discover if the choice of having a boy is made voluntarily or was forced upon the parents. Coercive external forces can be socio-economic and cultural factors, such as not being able to afford the marriage of daughter, religious beliefs, the economic utility of sons, old-age security, continuity of lineage, and a social attitude that raising a female child is analogous to nurturing a neighbor's plant [40]. Parents who are living in the culture and society, which values sons more than daughters, may feel that their only option is to have a male child. ...
... In our study we found that 80.7% women who did not had at least one son in family demonstrated male preference & this fondness reduced to 25 % if a male child in family was there. Results are similar with study done in Ujjain and other studies [11][12][13] , Similar to earlier studies [2,8,12] > 80% women were aware that sex of unborn child can be determined by using simple ultrasound, 35.5% knew that prenatal sex determination & female feticide is a crime.19.5% of our study participants wanted termination of pregnancy if unborn child is female; this was similar to previous studies [2,13] but was comparatively lower than some studies [14] . Various reasons given by respondents for son preference were; Carries the name of family (64%), Takes care of parents in old age (71.5%), financial support to family (69.5%), while dowry (58%) & security (42.5%) were main reasons for non preference for girl child. ...
... Srivastav S et al [12] quoted that the common implications of down sex ratio was increase in crime, molestations, and increases the women trafficking because of non-availability of brides. Vadera et al [13] and Walia A [14] in their studies reported the similar repercussions of down sex ratio. ...
... [8] Dowry, carrying family name and inheriting property followed by lack of social security as most common reasons for not preferring girl child. [16] There is a need to make more women aware of this method so that unwanted pregnancy can be avoided safely and conveniently, particularly for those who are inconsistent contraceptive users as well as those who have never used a contraceptive method. However, the role of counseling cannot be undermined here to prevent repeated abortions. ...
Background
Induced abortion contributes significantly to maternal mortality in developing countries yet women still seek repeat induced abortion in spite of the availability of contraceptive services.
Objectives
(1) To study the sociodemographic profile of abortion seekers. (2) To study the reasons for procuring abortions by married women of reproductive age group.
Materials and Methods
It was a cross-sectional community-based study. All the married women of reproductive age group (15–49 years) with a history of induced abortion were selected as the subjects.
Results
The most common reason for seeking an abortion was poverty (39.4%), followed by girl child and husband's insistence, which accounted for 17.2% each. More complications were noted in women undergoing an abortion in places other than government hospitals and also who did it in the second trimester.
Conclusions
To reduce maternal deaths from unsafe abortion, several broad activities require strengthening such as decreasing unwanted pregnancies, increasing geographic accessibility and affordability, upgrading facilities that offers medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) services, increasing awareness among the reproductive age about the legal and safe abortion facilities, the consequences of unsafe abortion, ensuring appropriate referral facilities, increasing access to safe abortion services and increasing the quality of abortion care, including postabortion care.
... Vadera (7) revealed in his study that 20 % of women would go in for female feticide if they knew the sex of the fetus. Ajinder Walia, (12 ) reported 41.25 % of the women in his study to be supportive of female feticide if they knew the sex of the fetus. ...
... However 67.5% were unaware about PNDT Act. Similar implications were reported by Vadera et.al 5 and Ajinder Walia et al. 6 Regarding perceptions 88.5% were of view that females still do not enjoy equal rights as males. 29% were willing to go for pre-natal sex determination and 70% of females expressed views that they would prefer to go for son even if the family gets completed with females. ...
... These results substantiate our hypothesis that higher caste people have higher number of incidents of female foeticide. These results are supported with the earlier studies conducted by (Sarna kamla 2005;Walia 2005;Klasen 2002Klasen , 2008. They have found that higher caste people have more tendencies to do female foeticide due to certain social psychological reasons. ...
... The prevalence of female foeticide in younger age group (18-26 years) within the reproductive age group (18-44 years) may be attributed to social pressure on women to give birth to a male child. These findings have been found in resonance with the earlier studies conducted byWalia (2005);Patel (2004). They also found that the most productive age group i.e. aged between 27-35 years has more favorable attitude towards a boy in their family. ...
Women are continued to suffer discrimination and violence in every part of the world. Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work and representation in political and economic decision-making, processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. Women are given a top place in India from the ancient time however they were not given empowerment to participate in all areas. The missing girls in the beginning of 21st century were happened due to the help of misuse of modern medical science and technology in the form of female foeticide. Further some implications have done a lot to improve the status and to reduce female deficit. This study examines the inter-linkages of gender hierarchies with male child preference. The child sex ratio in increasing trends shows some change in mindset of people of India. This study deals with (a) Gender discrimination in India as well as Himachal Pradesh, (b) to discuss Demographic indicators and Female foeticide in Himachal Pradesh. Government, voluntary organizations and by lot of social activities for women’s development have done a lot for empowerment and against the gender discrimination. It is found in this study that gender equality is an essential component for sustainable economic development.
Key Words: Gender Discrimination, Equality, Employment, Self Confidence, Empowerment
... It may be because socio-psychological factors are dominating in our society. These results substantiate our hypothesis that higher caste people have higher number of incidents of female foeticide [10,11,12]. They have found that higher caste people have more tendencies to do female foeticide due to certain social psychological reasons. ...
India from centuries has never welcomed the birth of daughter. Indian culture either treats woman as a goddess or an object, pretentiously as goddess but actually as an object. Indian culture has tolerated homicide against the female race. While earlier, in absence of technology, infanticide, practiced very rarely was way out, for allowing the preference of sons to daughters to find an outlet, with the availability of technology such as ultrasound technology, which allowed detection of sex of the foetus, sex selective abortions became an easier way out for avoiding birth of daughter, without severe moral compunctions and fewer conscience pangs. Keeping in the view above said facts this present case study has been designed with the following objectives: (i) to study the declining trends in child sex ratio in all district in Himachal Pradesh; (ii) To establish the relationship between Sex selection and Son preferences in Himachal Pradesh. (iii) To study the decision making process and negative attitude of people towards girl child. The data for this study was collected through primary and secondary sources. Other methods of data collection were used such as: interview and focus group discussion. Sample for this study was 2118 women, who either having one or two/more living girl children from four districts in Himachal Pradesh. There age ranges in the most productive age group i.e. 18-35 years. Analysis of the data revealed that social, economical, cultural, psychological and modern medical technology have emerged as a strong factor for the female foeticide and son preferences, which together create incentives for son preference and disincentives for the brought up of the daughters.
... Similar was found by Walia in three other districts of Punjab where 58.75% in Ludhiana, 50% in Bathinda, and 15% in Ferozpur justified female feticide. [8] No such previous reports from Patiala are available for comparison. As per a study which was done by National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD) [9] in 2008 in Delhi and Haryana, dowry was perceived as the main reason for the respondents not preferring a girl child. ...
Introduction: Girl child continues to be insecure and vulnerable in South-East Asia particularly in India despite various legal measures. Only law cannot be a solution, identifying the social factors and working on their improvements are also essential.
Aims and Objectives: (1) To assess the present child sex ratio (0-6 child sex ratio [CSR]) in defined study population. (2) To assess the attitude of the women of the reproductive age group toward the girl child and relate it to the status of sex ratio.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a sub locality of 283 households out of which 147 households having children in age group of 0-6 years were selected and mothers of children were interviewed with a prestructured pretested questionnaire containing a rating scale of 40 items in vernacular language to determine the attitude of the mother toward girl child.
Results: Total no. of children in the age group of 0-6 years were found to be 241, with CSR of 709 but had a sharp contrast in children
... In Punjab and Haryana, the situation is exacerbated by the marginalisation of female labour as a result of mechanized agriculture. 13 Other type of harassments and violence at home and offices are also existing. ...
Background: India is experiencing lowest child sex ratio of the world. The deficit of girl children has been progressively increasing, in spite of so many laws to favour them like Sharda act, act against dowry and law against female feticide, i.e. PC & PNDT. The present study attempted to explore the determinants of negative preference of female fetuses at rural setup and preferences for prevention of female foeticide. Methods: In a prospective, multicentric, cohort study, 2203 married women of reproductive age group were interviewed by pretested piloted structured questionnaire. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Common causes for not preferring daughters were related to their marriages expenses, dowry along with exogamy and practices regarding death ceremonies of parents. Self deprived image of today’s woman by herself is mainly responsible for not allowing her to welcome another girl child in a family. Conclusions: Female foeticide is still in practice inspite of awareness programmes and existing law. Main reason for it is societal need due to marriage related customs and cultures along with unethical practices by service providers. To increase in self-esteem of women can only reduce the volume of service receiver along with upliftment of moral and ethical values of service providers from the beginning of their medical training can prevent it to happen. [Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2013; 2(1.000): 67-73]
... The awareness about female feticide was found to be considerably high in the study subjects and 99.4% of these adolescents were of the opinion that this practice should be stopped. However, in a study done by Walia(4) among adult population in three districts of Punjab having low child sex ratio i.e. Ludhiana, Bhatinda and Ferozepur, though the awareness regarding female feticide was found to be very high, yet majority of the respondents approved of this heinous act. ...
Although the Indian girl child's position is precarious throughout the country, she remains the most vulnerable in Punjab.
To assess the awareness and perceptions of school children regarding female feticide.
Crosssectional study.
The study involved collection of information regarding knowledge and perception of school students about female feticide using multiple choice questionnaire. A total of 527 students between the age group of 11-18 years of various schools of district Ludhiana, Punjab were the study subjects. They had come to participate in the poster competition on organ donation (SAARC Transplant games), organized by Department of Community Medicine, D.M.C and H, Ludhiana.
Out of total 527 students, 97.9% were aware of female feticide. Main source of information was TV (56%), followed by newspaper (33%). Majority of the students (65.2 %) felt that discrimination between boys and girls is prevalent in the society. Regarding perception of school students for curbing this social evil, 37.8% school students were of the view that awareness among the masses is the solution to stop this practice, while 25% of the students responded that equal status to girls will stop this practice of female feticide.
The school students had optimum level of awareness about female feticide and almost all of them strongly felt that this harmful practice should be stopped altogether.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction calls for reducing risks to disasters rather than focusing only on the process of management of disasters. The tenet accentuates the philosophy that we need to shift our thinking towards addressing the source of a problem rather than focussing on the outcome of a problem. There is a growing realization that Climate Change is also one of the sources for increase in hydro-meteorological disasters like floods, cyclones, droughts, heat waves, cold waves etc. The impact of climate induced disasters is different for both men and women. Various case studies of climate induced disasters clearly highlight that women tend to be more vulnerable to these disasters due to their pre-existing vulnerabilities. Gender limits both men and women in their abilities to perform various tasks and it leads to the creation of vulnerabilities. Along with this, the biological role of reproduction played by women leads to social discrimination for the rest of their lives. The society needs to be sensitized towards the process in which social norms and stereotypes contribute towards gendered vulnerabilities and overlooking of their capacities in non-disaster as well as disaster times. Research has also shown that given an opportunity to develop skills, women have shown their role as effective contributors to the process of disaster preparedness as well as management. The potential contributions that women have offered to Disaster Risk Reduction around the world need to be highlighted and their leadership in building community resilience to disasters should be acknowledged. Such an empowering process needs to be strengthened in all developmental initiatives to reduce pre-existing vulnerabilities which get augmented in disaster settings. Moreover, there should be a platform for women in disaster management organizations for sharing their needs, experiences, and expertise which would provide impetus to a gender-sensitive approach in the operational aspects of disaster management. A gender-sensitive approach to Disaster Risk Reduction would ensure that the efficacy of our interventions is enhanced and reach every member of the community.
To improve the levels of girls' education, it is vital to widen the definition of child labour beyond wage employment. At present, there is little recognition of the economic contribution of girls to the economy and little effort has been made to get girls out of work and into school. There also remain longstanding stereotypes and norms that seek to discriminate against the girl child. However, the picture is not all bleak, for efforts at the grassroots level are afoot, wherein the NGOs have worked hand-in-hand with villagers to send their girls to school with very dramatic results.
Considering all these issues as important factors for knowing the Child Sex Ratio, few objectives have been framed.
• To find out the nature of the Child Sex Ratio as well as Sex ratio as per Census from 1951 to 2011.
• To find out the nature of Child Sex Ratio: declining or increasing among the Hindus and Muslims.
• To find out the causes of the declining or increasing Child Sex Ratio among the two communities.
• To detect the variation of Child Sex Ratio in relation to their socio-economic status (income, education, occupation, familial income, nature of family) for each group.
• To find out the impact of customs, rituals and practices on changing Child Sex Ratio.
• To know the mothers’ and fathers’ opinions and attitudes towards their girl children as these affect the Child Sex Ratio.
Background: Female feticide has been a big social problem in all the states of India. There is a male child preference by pregnant women including their family members. Thus this study aimed to assess attitude and awareness on female feticide. Methods: The present study was conducted in ANC center of Medical college Hospital, Bikaner of Rajasthan in 500 pregnant women (250 rural and 250 Urban) . Results: Out of 500 pregnant women 62% had shown no gender preference, 23% preferred male child and 15% had preferred to have female child. Regarding awareness, 88% and 90% women knew that prenatal sex determination and female feticide are illegal respectively. Conclusions: Being the civilized citizens, it is our duty to raise voice against the declining sex ratio and killing of girl child. Being a woman it is our primary duty as well as concern to come forward to stop this menace. Keywords: Female feticide, Attitude, Awareness, Practice, Pregnant women
Female feticide is one of the serious issues of the 21st century which needs to be taken care and tackled effectively by the human society. Female feticide resulted in lower sex ratio which caused many social problems like increased rape cases, molestation and growth of the homo sexuality in the society. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence of girl feticide in different districts of Uttar Pradesh. The study was conducted in Uttar Pradesh state with nine districts randomly selected on the basis of sex-ratio i.e. high, middle and low. Fifty respondents were randomly selected from each district. Data was collected using an interview schedule having 37 statements. Results revealed that majority of male respondents (52%) were in middle age category and female respondents (52%) were in early adulthood category. Most of the male and female respondents (81.8% and 79.1%) were married respectively and most of the male and female respondents belong to urban area. Mean score of the respondents opinion/ notion regarding female feticide was seen more among districts of middle sex-ratio (69.3%). Significant difference exists in sex ratio and opinion regarding female feticide (χ2-12.27). Middle age respondents (64%) showed their favorable response to the statements regarding female feticide with significant difference between age and opinion regarding female feticide (χ2-8.02). Significant difference was also seen in locality and opinion regarding female feticide (χ2-9.64). Results of study revealed that middle age respondents of districts of middle sex-ratio of urban locality were against female feticide.
An experiment was conducted at Agronomy Farm of Dr. B.S.K.K.V., Dapoli during rabi season 2012-2013 to
study the effort of tillage and methods of fertilizer application on yield and economics of horsegram.The field experiment
was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments comprised four tillage conditions -
Minimum tillage with drilling(S1
), Conventional tillage with drilling (S2
), Conventional tillage with dibbling (S3
) and
Zero tillage (dibbling) (S4
) and sub plot treatments comprised four methods of fertilizer application absolute control
(F1
), 100% RDF (Soil application) (F2
), 25% RDF (Foliar application) (F3
) and 50% RDF (Foliar application) (F4
). The
results revealed that tillage treatments conventional tillage with dibbling and conventional tillage with drillingwas
found significantly superior to rest of the treatments but at par with each other and recorded higher grain and straw
yield, total cost of cultivation, gross income, net returns and B:C ratio obtained from different treatments. Among the
methods of fertilizer application viz., 100% RDF (Soil application) and 50% RDF (Foliar application) were found
significantly superior over remaining treatments but statistically identical with each other in respect of seed yield, total
cost of cultivation, gross income, net returns and B:C ratio. It can be concluded that horsegram crop should be grown
in conventional tillage condition by dibbling method along with soil application of 100 per cent recommended dose
of fertilizer at sowing time, to obtain higher grain and straw yield, net returns and B:C ratio.
Child sex ratio of any country is not just a demographic variable but an important indicator of country's gender development index. An adverse child sex ratio reveals a lopsided social development and is a violation of human rights. Sex composition of the human population is one of the basic demographic characteristics, which is extremely vital for any meaningful demographic analysis. Declining child sex ratio is an issue of grave concern in India. Family and social pressures to produce a son are immense. Son preference has been one of the most evident manifestations of patriarchal society. In most regions, sons are desired for reasons related to kinship, inheritance, marriage, identity, status, economic security and lineage. A preference for boys cuts across caste and class lines and results in discrimination against girls even before they are born. In a gross misuse of the technology that facilitates pre-natal diagnosis of any potential birth defects and associated conditions, female fetuses are selectively aborted after such pre-natal sex determination. Hence the researcher has made an attempt to examine the plight of child sex ratio, its reliable causes and consequences in society with the application of suitable methodology and appropriate field data.
Background: Female feticide has been a big social problem in all the states of India. There is a male child preference by pregnant women including their family members. Thus this study aimed to assess attitude and awareness on female feticide. Methods: The present study was conducted in ANC center of Medical college Hospital, Bikaner of Rajasthan in 500 pregnant women (250 rural and 250 Urban). Results: Out of 500 pregnant women 62% had shown no gender preference, 23% preferred male child and 15% had preferred to have female child. Regarding awareness, 88% and 90% women knew that prenatal sex determination and female feticide are illegal respectively. Conclusions: Being the civilized citizens, it is our duty to raise voice against the declining sex ratio and killing of girl child. Being a woman it is our primary duty as well as concern to come forward to stop this menace.
Objective: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding gender preference and female feticide among teachers population in Hassan. Methodology: A cross sectional, Community based, Descriptive study was undertaken. Study was carried for 3 months (February to May). Total 127 participants were interviewed with the help of predesigned, semi-structure proforma. Data was analyzed in terms of proportions. Results: Out of 127 participants, 73% said that Ultrasound is the technique for Pre Natal Sex Determination Test (PNDT). 80% said that Private hospital is the area for sex determination test. While asked reasons for son preference, 38.5% said they carries the name of the family, 27.5% said that source of income or dowry. 52% of them aware regarding PNDT Act. 90% have got the information regarding female feticide and gender preference from the media. Conclusion: Majority of them aware about female feticide and harmful practices should be stopped.
While marriage remains the most decisive point of control for class(ed) reproduction, the post-conception/prenatal moment is now emerging as the second decisive point for the control of class(ed) reproduction. Those who sell diagnostic and clinical services make an immediate profit, while the users buy only imagined futures. Within the logic of marital/natal " propertarianism", the eradication of one form of "property" - the female foetus - is believed to save other forms. This marks a patriarchal reorganisation of reproduction. This essay discusses the interlocking relation of sex selection and dowry predicated on a peculiar "propertarianism" and the logic of domestic violence. Sex selection is, in part, rationalised through cost and benefit that takes the shape of common sense, but is suffused with contradictions. It produces not national agents, but future imaginaries, paradoxes and contradictions that may not culminate in desired resolutions.
Background: The preference for son and discrimination against the girl child is almost universal in India and manifest it in many ways. Changes in sex ratio reflect underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern. Desire for male child manifests so blatantly that parents have no qualms about repeated, closely spaced pregnancies, premature deaths and even terminating child before it is born. Method: Total 200 antenatal women were interviewed by systematic random sampling with prior consent using a well designed, pre- tested questionnaire. The data was analyzed by percentages and chi-square test Results: Overall in this study it was observed male preference was in 63% antenatal women. Out of total women with first child as a baby girl 78.6 % keenly wanted second baby as a boy. Almost more than half of the women (59%) were aware about consequences of female foeticide and 69% were aware of the PNDT act.
Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern and has long-term social and demographic consequences. At the heart of the problem is the low status of women in society a patriarchal social framework and value system based on .son mania.. The problem is getting worse as scientific methods of detecting the sex of the foetus and for termination of pregnancy are improving. This seems to be fulfilling the long felt need of the people through female feticide. In this light the study of factors influencing sex ratio becomes very relevant for better understanding of the problem. (excerpt)
The worldwide rise in violence, especially that directed against females of all ages, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to undertake steps to deal with that problem. To do so, WHO adopted a public health approach. This entailed (1) developing a definition of violence, (2) devising a typology of violent acts, (3) creating a uniform database for reporting violence, and (4) promulgating a model for understanding violence and its attendant phenomena. This essay reviews, analyzes, and critiques those efforts.
The anxiety experienced by pregnant women due to gender preference is examined in this study, using the data collected from 203 pregnant women (having two living children) who visited K.C. General and Vani Vilas Hospitals, Bangalore, for ante-natal check-up during the third trimester. The study reveals that those who had 'high' level of anxiety accounted for 93 per cent among those having two female living children, compared to 67 per cent among those having one male and one female living child and only 27 per cent among those having two male living children. These proportions are found to differ significantly (at 1 per cent level) from one another. The study has also shown that as high as 64 per cent of those having only daughters are seriously wanting a son, whereas only 6 per cent of those having only sons are seriously wanting a daughter. This reveals the extent of son preference causing anxiety to pregnant women. It is interesting to find that the average anxiety score of those having two daughters and wanting a son is significantly higher than that of those having two sons and wanting a daughter. This confirms that son preference causes anxiety to pregnant women.
Female infanticide: A Psychological analysis
- T Kollor
Kollor T M (1990) Female infanticide: A Psychological analysis. Grass Roots Action, Special issue on Girl child
April 3, and pp 3.
Socialization of Hindu women in their childhood: An analysis of Literature
- P Mane
Mane P N (1991) Socialization of Hindu women in their childhood: An analysis of Literature. The Journal of
Family Welfare 52 (1): 81-96.
Female infanticide rampant in Salem
- U Rai
Rai U (1992) Female infanticide rampant in Salem. Indian Express, July 4. Pp. 4
Girls are second-class citizens everywhere. The Times of India
- R Srivastava
Srivastava R D (2000) Girls are second-class citizens everywhere. The Times of India, January 17: 3.