Disappearing Daughters and Intensification of Gender Bias : Evidence from Two Villages studies in South India

• Why are female children still at risk in India despite progress in education, increasing participation of women in economic and political activities, and an overall improvement in the status of women? Is there any significant shift from 'son preference' to 'daughter discrimination'? Based on a study of two villages from low-fertility regions of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, this paper attempts to understand the factors responsible for the increasing discrimination against girls, even before they are born. The widespread use of sex-determination tests and abortion facilities has given an opportunity for parents to acheive the desired family size and the desired gender composition of children. There is an intesification of gender bias particularly among the peasant communities. The rapid fertility decline, not accompanied by changes in the cultural values and gender inequality, has resulted in a deliberate attempt to 'get rid of girls'.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Ekonomisk historia (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Economic History (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Genusstudier (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Gender Studies (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Daughter Discrimination

Female foeticide

Fertility Decline

Sex selection

daughter discrimination

female feoticide

fertility decline

son preference

sex selection

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)