Assessment and Reasons for Gender Preference among Married Women nn Rural Field Practice Area of Jaipur, Rajasthan
Abstract
Despite of many efforts like prenatal diagnostic test act, Rajshree Yojana, Janani Sishu Suraksha Yojana, Gargi Award and Medhavi Girl Scooty Vitran Scheme’ by government to improve sex ratio, preference for male child is continue in Indian society. So this study was conducted to find out gender preference and various reasons for it, among reproductive age groups females of a rural field practice area. This study was conducted on 600 married females of age group 15-49 years of Naila village, a rural field practice area of Swai Man Singh Medical College Jaipur Rajasthan from May 2018 to October 2018. The females were selected consecutively and informed consent was taken. A pre validated semi-structured performa was used for data collection. Data were entered as master chart and statistical analysis was done by primer software version 6. The male child preference (59.7%) was found higher than female child and maximum male preference was seen significantly in those without any child (66.2%) and it showed a gradual decline with increasing number of children in the family. The most common reason for male preference was “propagation of family name” (59.5%), followed by “family safety” (45.5%) and “funeral responsibility” (45.2%). Likewise most common reason for non desire of female child was found “will not stay with them after marriage” (69.8%) followed by “dowry” (58%). So there is a need of generating more awareness in society regarding gender equality to decrease consequences of declining sex ratio at peripheral level.
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Introduction
The term „sex‟ is a biological and physiological phenomenon whereas „Gender‟ is a socio-cultural term which refers socially defined roles and behaviors assigned to „males‟ and „females‟. In Indian society cultural pattern strengthen the gender bias, which leads strong preference for male children, female infanticide and adoption of sex-selective abortion.1,2
Sex ratio, an important social indicator measuring extent of prevailing equity between males & females in society, is defined as no. of females /1000 males. Changes in sex ratio reflect underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society.
According to 2011 census there were declining of girl population (<7 years) and it was estimated that eight million female fetuses have been aborted in the past decade.3
This „male preference‟ in child birth results in highly skewed sex ratios and putting intense pressure on women to produce a male child.
Conclusion
The present study concluded that a strong desire for male child among women was there. And there were various reasons for this desire like 'propagation of family name' 'family safety' 'dowry' and “funeral responsibility” etc. This calls for a need to strengthen IEC and gender sensitizing activities to educate women from under privileged population about gender equality and recommendations under PNDT act by government, NGOs, community leaders and by health workers.