Falling sex ratio: Why we don't want them?

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In the latest census data for 2011, India’s sex ratio has further skewed in favour of males as the census recorded 914 females per thousand males. This piece of data is not only disheartening but is a matter of great concern for the government and the people at large. Society’s fascination for the male child could prove to be detrimental for the society and the economy at large. The most astonishing fact that arises from the data is that while the Indian economy grew at record rates in the past decade, sex ratio slumped to deplorable lows.

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The data totally undermines the popular notion that rapid economic growth is often accompanied by an improved sex ratio in a country. Logic also says that sex ratio is likely to improve in a country when disposable income rises in an economy and more people are pulled out of poverty. But what we are witnessing in India is entirely contradictory.

So what are the possible reasons for this logic defying phenomenon? First, the

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mindset or the psyche of the general public has not kept pace with the tectonic shifts in the economy. Second, guilty have not been brought to book with the urgency required to deal with the sensitive issue. Third, even after so much of economic growth, almost one-third of the world’s poor (source: World Bank) still resides in India and, understandably so, they prefer males to females. Fourth, lack of involvement by the local government results in brazen impunity from laws for the culprits. Fifth, pre-conception and prenatal diagnostics act implemented in 1994 has clearly failed to achieve its objective of deterring people from feticides and infanticides.   

The union health ministry is doing its bit by prodding and planning with the states the corrective measure which would be required to improve the status quo on sex ratio. The local administration needs to ensure that proper awareness be spread among the masses about the catastrophic effects of a skewed sex ratio. Also, enlightened members of the civilized society need to work arduously to ensure that foeticides and infanticides become taboo in the society. If sincere efforts are taken in this direction we are likely to witness a much improved sex ratio in coming years.

-Sunny Gusain