son preference
Son preference, also known as son bias or son preference syndrome, refers to a cultural or societal preference for having a male child over a female child. This phenomenon is primarily seen in countries with deep-rooted patriarchal traditions and can have significant social, cultural, and economic consequences.
Son preference can lead to various harmful practices and outcomes, such as sex-selective abortions, female infanticide, neglect of female children, limited access to education and healthcare for girls, early marriage, dowry violence, and gender inequality. In countries where son preference is prevalent, the sex ratio may become significantly skewed towards males, which can in turn create imbalances in the marriage market and perpetuate the cycle of son preference.
The underlying causes of son preference are complex and multifaceted, often intertwined with cultural, social, and economic factors. These include beliefs that sons can carry on the family name, provide economic support, perform ancestral rituals, and take care of aging parents, whereas daughters are often seen as financial burdens due to dowry practices and societal expectations.
Efforts to combat son preference and address its consequences involve promoting gender equality, women's empowerment, educational opportunities for girls, legal and policy reforms, awareness campaigns, and community engagement. While progress has been made in reducing son preference in some societies, it remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world.