{"id":1738,"date":"2024-10-17T10:10:03","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T10:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=1738"},"modified":"2026-02-11T19:04:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:04:14","slug":"gs-1population-and-associated-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/gs-1population-and-associated-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"GS-1:Population and associated issues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In News: The spread of sex selection in India: Not just the foreign hand<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.Analyse how socio-economic changes in contemporary India have influenced family planning decisions and attitudes towards gender. In what ways do these changes contribute to the persistence of gender-biased practices?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Socio-economic changes in contemporary India have significantly influenced family planning decisions and attitudes towards gender. While these changes have brought about positive developments such as stronger laws against sex-selective practices aimed to curb biases; higher education levels among women lead to changing gender roles; NGOs and government initiatives promote the value of daughters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They have also contributed to the persistence of gender-biased practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Influence of socio-economic changes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Emergence of the middle class:<\/strong>
    \u25cf Growth of the middle class post-1980s has led to a preference for smaller families, often prioritising sons for economic security and social status.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Declining fertility rates:<\/strong>
    \u25cf Fertility rates have decreased from 5.2 to around 2.2 children per woman, intensifying the desire for specific gender compositions within families.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Access to technology:<\/strong>
    \u25cf Availability of sex-selection technologies like ultrasound has facilitated gender-biased practices, viewed as modern methods for achieving desired family sizes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Economic pressures:<\/strong>
    \u25cf Rising costs of raising children and dowry burdens reinforce son preference, as daughters are often seen as financial liabilities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Cultural norms and patriarchy:<\/strong>
    \u25cf Deep-rooted patriarchal norms devalue daughters, viewing sons as providers and carriers of family lineage, perpetuating male child preference.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Contribution to gender-biased practices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Sex selection practices:<\/strong>
      \u25cf Desire for a small family with at least one son leads to sex-selective abortions, resulting in skewed child sex ratios in various states.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Lack of awareness and access to services:<\/strong>
      \u25cf Many women and girls in rural areas lack awareness of their reproductive rights and access to essential health services. This can contribute to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and limited contraceptive use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Impact on women\u2019s rights:<\/strong>
      \u25cf Gender-biased sex selection restricts mobility, and creates marriage challenges due to bride shortages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Gender-based violence:<\/strong>
      \u25cf Despite progress in women’s rights, gender-based violence remains a serious problem in India. This can limit women’s autonomy and create a climate of fear that can influence family planning decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      While socio-economic changes in India have brought about positive developments, they have also contributed to the persistence of gender-biased practices. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that includes education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and social reforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      PYQ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. How do you explain the statistics that show that the sex ratio in Tribes in India is more favourable to women than the sex ratio among Scheduled Castes? 2015<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments. 2014<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Source:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/india-child-sex-ratio-determination-9624206\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n