Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Medical Scientist, ICMR, National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sex ratio is an important social indicator measuring the status and equality of
female in society. The falling sex ratio of our country is a demographic disaster that is waiting to
happen and is a matter of grave concern. Perception of gender by mothers or families has long‑term
implications on how children are nurtured during their lives. This study was done to understand
mother’s preference for the gender of the child and their concerns about the same.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational cross‑sectional study was carried out using a
semi‑structured questionnaire. Two hundred and thirty‑four mothers were interviewed. Frequencies
and percentages were calculated. Pearson’s Chi‑square test was used to check the significance of
the association.
RESULTS: Study results depict that 26.47% of the mothers who were already having a male
child still preferred son. Preference for son was 24.52% and 48.61% among earning mothers
and nonearning mothers, respectively. Out of 206 mothers said that they would prefer male child.
Reasons cited were as follows: sons carry family name forward (30.6%), having daughters leads to
increased expenditure (20.9%), daughters are subjected to different problem in their lifetime mainly
violence (11.7%), and sons supported their parents in old age (10.7%).
CONCLUSION: Preference for male child was found to be equally prevalent in both urban and rural
areas. Mothers should be educated about the effect of declining sex ratio along with financial capacity
building of women and providing social security to senior citizens which was the main reason for
son preference .The impact of gender imbalance on individuals, families, and on society has to be
emphasized at every possible point of contact with health‑care delivery system.
Keywords
Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (prohibition of sex selection)
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