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Beyond the Numbers

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  • Joe Varghese

    (Joe Varghese is at the Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 011. E-mail: vakkan2000@yahoo.com.)

  • Vijay Aruldas

    (Vijay Aruldas is General Secretary, Christian Medical Association of India, A-3 Block, LSC Janakpuri, New Delhi 110 058. E-mail: varuldas@cmai.org.)

  • Panniyammakal Jeemon

    (Panniyammakal Jeemon is Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Chronic Disease Control, C1/52, 2nd Floor, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi 110 016. E-mail: pjeemon@gmail.com.)

Abstract

The last few census reports in India increasingly indicate a high male sex ratio among children in different parts of the country. A study was conducted to examine the trends in the sex ratio at birth of hospital deliveries in the state of Delhi, and their relation with various demographic and socio-economic factors. The study was based on the data available with the birth records of eight large hospitals in Delhi. Birth data of one of the hospitals was analysed in detail. Births were the unit of analysis and SRB based on hospital birth was the indicator for sex-selection practices. A 10-year study of SRB of hospitalised deliveries showed sharp increasing trends in masculinity from the beginning of the study period. Results also indicated intense son preference, resulting in sex selection, particularly if earlier children were girls. Any rigorous measures for control of population growth in India would be disastrous for the sex ratio at birth.

Suggested Citation

  • Joe Varghese & Vijay Aruldas & Panniyammakal Jeemon, 2008. "Beyond the Numbers," Indian Journal of Gender Studies, Centre for Women's Development Studies, vol. 15(1), pages 115-125, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:indgen:v:15:y:2008:i:1:p:115-125
    DOI: 10.1177/097152150701500106
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Unknown, 1961. "The Economic Weekly," Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Indian Society of Agricultural Economics, vol. 16(2), pages 1-3.
    2. Shelley Clark, 2000. "Son preference and sex composition of children: Evidence from india," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 37(1), pages 95-108, February.
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