Determinants of gender preference among women of Belagavi: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Sex ratio in India, has always remained unfavorable to females. Changes in the sex ratio, reflects the underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. A number of factors influence the relative benefits and costs of sons and daughters and ultimately the parent’s gender preferences. Objective was to study the factors that determine gender preferences among women of reproductive age group and to formulate preventive measure against gender bias.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing married women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) attending general OPD and antenatal clinics in urban field practice (n=400) areas of Belagavi. All married women with at least one child were included in the study.Results: Son preference was seen among 137 (34.25%) women participants. Socio-economic factors like religion, literacy status, occupation, socio-economic status were significantly associated (p<0.001) with gender preference. Awareness about PCPNDT act (p<0.0001), self-deprived image (p<0.001) and the gender of previous child (p<0.000001) which was highly significant were the other factors that determined the gender preference among women. Old age dependency and growth of family were the main reasons given by women for existence of son preference and no dowry and security of girls were the two important preventive measures as opined by women for prevention of female feticide.Conclusions: This study clearly infers that son preference is prevalent among women of Belagavi and there is an intricate association of many factors which determine this gender preference. Efforts to address patriarchal gender norms, strengthening the existing laws against dowry, PCPNDT Act, educational and occupational opportunities for females are the dire needs if girls are to be perceived as important and desired in our society.

Gender preference among post-natal women for the next child: A study from coastal south India

“…Muslims had a higher SPI as compared to Hindus and Christians which was similar to the results obtained by Kanyadi S and Kulkarni R in their study in Belagavi 17 and by Asghar M et al 18 who conducted a study among Manipuri Muslims. The probable reason could be their minority status and the overall lower education levels of the females among the Muslim population.…”

“…10 Son preference was found to be more among mothers having a female child in a study done by Kanyadi S and Kulkarni R in Belgavi. 17 In a study by Asghar M, Murry B et al son preference was seen among mothers belonging to higher socio economic status. 18 Roy A and Biswas R in a study conducted in West Bengal reported a higher son preference among younger mothers between 18 and 24 years of age, mothers belonging to lower socio economic status and mothers who did not have a male child.…”

“…A higher son preference among the mothers with previous girl child has also been reported in other studies. 10,17,27,31 A study conducted by Bhattacharjya H, Das S and Mog C in Agartala revealed son preference was to be more among the rural mothers, illiterate, women with no male child and those belonging to joint families. 31 Chavada M and Bhagyalaxmi A in their study conducted in Ahmedabad found son preference to be more among the rural mothers and those from joint families.…”

Factors influencing gender preference among women of Ambala, Haryana: a cross-sectional study

“…Socio-cultural factors like religion, occupation of women, literacy status, socioeconomic status influenced son preference according to a study conducted in Belagavi. 6 Unlike other similar studies conducted, religion and type of residence, were not found to be significantly associated with gender preference. The most common reason cited by the participants in our study for the male preference was propagation of family name, support of old age and no dowry burden which was similar to studies conducted in Madhya Pradesh 5 and Belagavi.…”

“…The most common reason cited by the participants in our study for the male preference was propagation of family name, support of old age and no dowry burden which was similar to studies conducted in Madhya Pradesh 5 and Belagavi. 6 Similarly a study at Bareilly revealed that 80% females were aware of prenatal sex determination and 67% unaware of PNDT Act. 7 A study which was conducted by found that 95% of the pregnant women were aware of the availability of a method for intrauterine sex determination.…”