Question

What is meant by the ‘sex ratio’? What are some of the implications of a declining sex ratio? Do you feel that parents still prefer to have sons rather than daughters? What, in your opinion, could be some of the reasons for this preference?

Accepted Answer

The sex ratio refers to the number of females per 1000 males in a given area at a specified time period. Historically, most countries have slightly more females than males, with a natural ratio of roughly 1050 females per 1000 males. This natural balance exists because girl babies have a biological advantage in resistance to disease during infancy, and women tend to outlive men in most societies. A declining sex ratio has serious implications, indicating a demographic imbalance where males significantly outnumber females. This decline, particularly the drastic fall in the child sex ratio (0-6 years), has alarmed demographers and policy makers. It suggests that the natural biological advantage of females is being overridden by social factors, leading to a skewed population structure. Yes, parents often still prefer to have sons rather than daughters. The phenomenon of a declining sex ratio in countries like India, China, and South Korea is explicitly linked to prevailing social norms that value males much more than females. This creates a strong cultural bias known as 'son preference'. In my opinion, the primary reason for this preference is the social norm that places a higher value on male children. This leads to the relative neglect of girl babies, which affects their survival rates. While maternal mortality was once considered a factor, it is difficult to attribute the worsening sex ratio to it today, as maternal mortality rates have been declining with development.…

Explanation

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