Scholars find son preference as a common phenomenon in many developing countries, including India, China and Pakistan. Do you find this phenomenon in your family or neighbourhood? Why do people practise discrimination between male and female children? What do you think about it? Discuss it in the classroom.
Yes, son preference is a common phenomenon observed in many developing countries, including India, China, and Pakistan. In my neighbourhood, families often celebrate the birth of a male child more enthusiastically than a female child, reflecting this deep-rooted bias.
People practise discrimination between male and female children due to son preference, which has led to a sex ratio that is low and biased against females in all three countries. As per the data, India has a sex ratio of 938 females per 1000 males, indicating a clear imbalance. The one-child norm introduced in China in the late 1970s further worsened the situation, leading to a decline in the sex ratio.
I believe this discrimination is unjust and harmful to society. A skewed sex ratio creates long-term social problems. However, it is encouraging that all three countries are now adopting various measures to improve the situation. Equal treatment of all children, regardless of gender, is essential for balanced and sustainable development.
Explanation
This question is from the chapter comparing development indicators of India, China, and Pakistan. The textbook explicitly states that son preference is prevalent in all three countries and is the reason for the low sex ratio. The answer incorporates the demographic data from Table 8.1 (sex ratio: India 938, China 959) and references the one-child policy's impact on China's sex ratio. The context mentions that measures are being adopted to improve the situation, which is included in the response. The personal observation component is framed as a typical student response for classroom discussion.