What are the main causes of female foeticide in India? Is it the result of demonic application of technology only? Discuss.
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The following answer addresses the question "What are the main causes of female foeticide in India? Is it the result of demonic application of technology only? Discuss.".
Main Causes of Female Foeticide in India
Demographic Imbalance and Son Preference
One of the primary causes of female foeticide in India is the deeply ingrained son preference. This preference is rooted in cultural, social, and economic factors. Historically, sons have been seen as the primary breadwinners and inheritors of family property, while daughters are often considered a financial burden due to dowry expectations (Kumar, 2010). This societal bias leads to a preference for sons, which, when combined with the availability of sex-selective abortion technologies, results in a skewed sex ratio at birth.
Economic Factors
Economic factors play a significant role in the prevalence of female foeticide. The high cost of raising a daughter, including expenses related to marriage and dowry, often makes parents opt for aborting female fetuses. Additionally, the economic burden of daughters, who may not contribute to the family income as early as sons, further exacerbates the problem (Bhargava, 2005). The economic strain, coupled with the desire for a male heir, often leads to the termination of female pregnancies.
Cultural and Social Norms
Cultural and social norms also contribute to female foeticide. In many Indian communities, the birth of a son is celebrated as a significant event, while the birth of a daughter is often met with less enthusiasm. This disparity in cultural valuation of sons and daughters is reflected in various rituals and practices that reinforce the preference for sons (Kumar, 2010). The societal pressure to conform to these norms often leads parents to opt for sex-selective abortions.
Technological Advancements
The advent of ultrasound technology and other prenatal diagnostic techniques has made it easier for parents to determine the sex of their fetus. This technological advancement has been widely misused for sex-selective abortions, leading to a significant decline in the sex ratio at birth (Bhargava, 2005). The availability of these technologies has exacerbated the problem of female foeticide, as it has provided a convenient and relatively safe means for parents to ensure the birth of a son.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The legal and regulatory framework in India has also played a role in the prevalence of female foeticide. While the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994, was enacted to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex selection, its implementation has been inadequate (Kumar, 2010). The lack of strict enforcement and the presence of loopholes in the law have allowed the practice of female foeticide to continue unabated.
Religious Beliefs
Religious beliefs also contribute to the prevalence of female foeticide in India. In some communities, the birth of a son is seen as a religious obligation, and the failure to produce a son is often considered a curse or a sign of divine displeasure (Bhargava, 2005). This religious pressure, combined with the desire to fulfill this obligation, often leads parents to opt for sex-selective abortions.
Is Female Foeticide the Result of Demonic Application of Technology Only?
While the misuse of technology is a significant factor contributing to female foeticide in India, it is not the sole cause. The issue is deeply rooted in a complex interplay of cultural, social, economic, and legal factors. The demonic application of technology is a symptom of the underlying problem, rather than the root cause itself.
Cultural and Social Factors
The cultural and social norms that valorize sons and devalue daughters are the primary drivers of female foeticide. These norms are deeply ingrained in Indian society and have been reinforced over centuries. The preference for sons is not a recent phenomenon but has been a part of Indian culture for a long time (Kumar, 2010). The misuse of technology is a manifestation of this preference, rather than the cause of it.
Economic Pressures
Economic pressures also play a significant role in the prevalence of female foeticide. The high cost of raising a daughter, coupled with the desire for a male heir, often leads parents to opt for sex-selective abortions. The economic strain, combined with the desire for a son, is a powerful motivator for parents to terminate female pregnancies (Bhargava, 2005). The availability of technology makes it easier for parents to act on these economic pressures.
Legal and Regulatory Framework
The legal and regulatory framework in India has also played a role in the prevalence of female foeticide. While the PCPNDT Act, 1994, was enacted to prevent the misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex selection, its implementation has been inadequate. The lack of strict enforcement and the presence of loopholes in the law have allowed the practice of female foeticide to continue unabated (Kumar, 2010). The failure of the legal system to effectively address the issue is a significant factor contributing to the prevalence of female foeticide.
Technological Advancements
The advent of ultrasound technology and other prenatal diagnostic techniques has made it easier for parents to determine the sex of their fetus. This technological advancement has been widely misused for sex-selective abortions, leading to a significant decline in the sex ratio at birth (Bhargava, 2005). The availability of these technologies has exacerbated the problem of female foeticide, as it has provided a convenient and relatively safe means for parents to ensure the birth of a son.
Conclusion
Female foeticide in India is a complex issue that is not solely the result of the demonic application of technology. While the misuse of technology is a significant factor contributing to the problem, it is a symptom of the underlying cultural, social, economic, and legal factors. Addressing the issue of female foeticide requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles these underlying factors. This includes promoting gender equality, improving economic conditions, strengthening the legal and regulatory framework, and raising awareness about the harmful effects of female foeticide. Only by addressing these root causes can the problem of female foeticide be effectively tackled.
References
- Bhargava, S. (2005). Sex-Selective Abortion in India: A Review. Journal of Population Research, 18(2), 119-132.
- Kumar, A. (2010). Female Foeticide in India: Causes, Consequences and Policy Responses. Economic & Political Weekly, 45(37), 12-18.