China and India Losing Gender Balance Due to Sex-Selective Abortions
- Author Dezan Shira
- Published May 30, 2011
- Word count 460
A preference for boys and the availability of ultrasounds for baby sex recognition in China and India is leading to an increasingly serious gender imbalance in these countries, which may bring about a series of other social concerns in the long term.
A recent analysis in Canadian Medical Association Journal warns that the male to female ratio in a majority of areas in China and India is likely to exceed the normal 105:100 male to female sex ratio at birth (SRB) by 10 percent to 20 percent in the next 20 years. The analysis pointed out that with the introduction of sonogram technology, the SRB grew to 130:100 in some Chinese provinces in 1992. Data also show a high 125:100 gender disparity in North Indian regions like Punjab, Delhi and Gujarat.
While China’s one-child policy is widely criticized by international community for violating human rights and motivating women to have abortions to spare opportunities for having boys, India, the country without such a policy, does not seem to do a good job of stopping women from going to sex-selective abortions. The pattern analysis shows that in both China and India people tend to make sure their second or third baby is a boy if their first or second is a girl.
There are concerns over possible social consequences due to the gender imbalance, such as the excess men having difficulty getting married. Experts worry that those who fail to find wives may become psychologically vulnerable, leading to increasing violence and crime.
The imbalance will even have an impact on China and India’s economic growth pattern, according to economists. Some point out that as parents feel obligated to earn more social status for their sons, the families with sons tend to have a higher saving rate. The preference for boys may have even influenced families’ consumption patterns and facilitated a boom in some industries such as the property market in China. Many families with boys feel it is highly necessary to buy a house, even though housing prices in many areas have marched far above reasonable or affordable levels.
Policy-makers in China and India are making attempts to reduce the imbalance, such as forbidding fetal sex determination. However, people still have a number of ways to find out their baby’s gender before birth. The most essential and helpful method would be strengthening education and reducing the preference for boys that is deep in the culture.
Although changes in attitudes towards gender have been taking place in the past 10 years, the high SRB imbalance in the 1990s will still lead to at least a two-decade long overall gender imbalance in China and India. The analysis predicts that people in the two countries will have to wait for several decades to see a normal gender ratio again.
This article was written for 2point6billion.com, which was established by Chris Devonshire-Ellis. Chris is also the founder of China business consulting firm, Dezan Shira & Associates.
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Shabby Chic Meets Rustic Farmhouse: Elevate Your Space with Carved Wood Sliding Doors
- How to Master Eclectic Decor: Tips and Tricks
- Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis
- How Do You Find Experienced Builders for Micro Apartments in Brisbane?
- Searching for Professional Carers in Cambridgeshire to Support Your Family?
- How Do You Transfer Money to Egypt in Just a Few Clicks?
- Want Your Office Sparkling Clean? Get Top-Quality Commercial Cleaning in Auckland!
- Looking for High-Quality Lighting in Brampton? We Have the Perfect Options!
- Want to Improve Your Tender Success Rate? We Have the Solution!
- How to Choose the Right Chauffeur Service
- Why were the 1940's so important in history?
- Why Fire Safety Training Should Be A Priority In Your Workplace
- Creative Ideas for Using Old Trunks in Your Interior Décor
- Gutter Replacement: Why Upgrading to uPVC Gutters is a Smart Choice for Your Home
- What Is Point Of Sale Branding? An In-Depth Guide To Boosting Sales And Customer Experience
- Why You Need DRaaS: The Case for MedOne’s Disaster Recovery as a Service
- Sparkle and Shine: Your Ultimate Guide to Christmas Makeup
- Chauffeur Service: Elevate Your Travel Experience
- Creating a Reading Nook with Old-World Vintage Furniture
- Micro Apartments in Brisbane: A Builder’s Guide to Smart Living Solutions
- A Comprehensive Guide to Finance for Co-living Properties
- The Benefits of Garden Design
- Why Local Businesses Are Choosing to go Local for Web Design
- Top 10 Personal Safety Tips All Women Should Know
- It’s Not Too Late to Make Money Investing in This Gold ETF
- www.sellmoj.com is the game changer for E-commerce
- Top 10 Ways Maintenance Manager for Business Central Saves Asset Headaches
- Buying a Ready-Made Company in Estonia: Your Effortless Business Setup
- What Defines a Victorian Style Home?
- Transform Your Space with Versatile Antique Door Sideboards