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Son Preference in India: Implications for Gender Development

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  • Aparna Mitra

Abstract

Using data from the census of India and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), this paper analyzes trends in child sex ratios (0-6 years of age) and the increase in son preference in India. Latest census data (2011) show that the child sex ratios (females per 1,000 males) have decreased compared to data from the last five decades. Increasing son preference and neglect of daughters is occurring in many states in India, despite the advances made in education, literacy, healthcare, and income attainment. A skewed sex ratio and shortage of girls is detrimental to the health and welfare of women, as well as to the human development of India. Policymakers need to formulate appropriate policies, coupled with strict enforcement laws, in order to contain this grave trend in son preference and the infanticide, neglect, and devaluation of women in India.

Suggested Citation

  • Aparna Mitra, 2014. "Son Preference in India: Implications for Gender Development," Journal of Economic Issues, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(4), pages 1021-1037, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mes:jeciss:v:48:y:2014:i:4:p:1021-1037
    DOI: 10.2753/JEI0021-3624480408
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    Cited by:

    1. Bussolo,Maurizio & Ezebuihe,Jessy Amarachi & Munoz Boudet,Ana Maria & Poupakis,Stavros & Rahman,Tasmia & Sarma,Nayantara, 2022. "Social Norms and Gender Equality : A Descriptive Analysis for South Asia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10142, The World Bank.
    2. Barman, Papai & Sahoo, Harihar, 2021. "Sex preference in India: Trends, patterns and determinants," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Baby Sharma & Suresh Jungari & Ajinkya Lawange, 2022. "Factors Affecting Fear of Childbirth Among Urban Women in India: A Qualitative Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    4. Huang, Zibin & Jiang, Xu & Sun, Ang, 2024. "Fertility and delayed migration: How son preference protects young girls against mother–child separation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    5. Leeson, Peter T. & Suarez, Paola A., 2017. "Child brides," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 40-61.
    6. Paola A. Suarez, 2018. "Child-bride marriage and female welfare," European Journal of Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 1-28, February.
    7. Bidisha Mandal & Wenjun Wu, 2023. "Examining the effects of a two-child policy in rural India," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Julia Behrman & Sara Duvisac, 2017. "The relationship between women's paid employment and women's stated son preference in India," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 36(52), pages 1601-1636.
    9. Zhang, Guanglai & Yu, Yanni, 2023. "Preventing a new baby: Impact of air pollution on fertility intention," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    10. Tavassoli Nahid, 2021. "The Transition of Son Preference: Evidence from Southeast Asian Countries," Economics, Sciendo, vol. 9(1), pages 43-67, June.
    11. Nahid Tavassoli, 2021. "The Gender-Biased Fertility Behavior: Evidence from Southeast Asian Countries," Economic Alternatives, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 2, pages 235-261, July.

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