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study of social and economic factors affecting gender preferences among rural people

KrishiKosh

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Title study of social and economic factors affecting gender preferences among rural people
 
Creator Mukesh
 
Contributor Satnam Kaur
 
Subject Biological phenomena, Sexual reproduction, Marketing, Manpower, Economics, Economic systems, Economic resources, Selection, Mass media, Tillage equipment
 
Description In Haryana, sex ratio is lowest of all the states with even lower child sex ratio. It is being considered that the
dramatic decline in the child ratio is mainly due to the practice of female foeticide. As the state of Haryana experienced
tremendous economic development, it is expected that this development might have an impact on its socio-cultural life
and change of attitudes. The present study was conducted to study the pattern of gender preferences of rural people; to
identify social and economic factors affecting gender preferences; and to assess knowledge of rural people about state
interventions to improve sex ratio. The study was conducted in two villages of Hisar-II block of Hisar district of
Haryana State. Respondents for data collection were male head of the household and his wife from 100 households
selected randomly from these two villages, thereby constituting a sample of 200 i.e. 100 men and 100 women. Data
were collected on interview schedule and suitably analyzed.
Sex ratio in the sample households was 839 which is less than the sex ratio of the Hisar district as per 2011
Census. Child sex ratio was 818, which is also less than that of the district i.e. 849. Almost all the respondents
mentioned the necessity of having a son in the family. The reasons mentioned by a vast majority were: to perform the
last rites of parents; to carry on the family name and to look after parents in old age. As regards relationship of socioeconomic
factors with reasons for necessity of a son, study revealed that age, caste, family type, major occupation of
family, land owned, change agent linkage, mass media exposure and socio-economic status were affecting the reasons
mentioned by the respondents. As regards daughters, all but one per cent mentioned the necessity of having a daughter
in the family. But the reasons mentioned for the same were not so compelling indicating that even if there is no
daughter, it does not matter. A vast majority of the respondents wanted daughter for emotional support. Though they
considered daughter necessary, a vast majority (81.50%) also considered them to be a burden. Major reasons for
considering daughter as a burden are: increasing dowry demands, problem of finding suitable grooms, fear of loss of
family honour and rise in sexual harassment of girls. Rituals were performed to beget a boy by more respondents as
compared to beget a girl. Women out-numbered men in performing these rituals. A vast majority were found
celebrating the birth of a boy as compared to very few celebrating the birth of a girl. An overwhelming majority of the
respondents were aware of the declining sex ratio and cited female foeticide as the main reason for it. Lesser
availability of brides, increase in crime against women, lack of female work force and rise in polyandry were cited as
major implications of this phenomenon. A vast majority of the respondents were aware of PNDT Act, though a wide
knowledge gap existed as regards its provisions. Half of the respondents were aware of the Ladli Yojana of Haryana
Government. More percentage of women (55.00%) were aware about this scheme as compared to men. More than one
third respondents were also having knowledge about the various provisions of the scheme. As regards, free education
schemes for girls, three-fourth of the respondents were aware and majority of them also knew about various provisions
under this scheme. As regards availing benefits of the government schemes, only 12 and 18 per cent respondents
availed themselves of the benefits of Ladli Yojana and free education schemes of the government, respectively.
Respondents gave a number of suggestions for improving the sex ratio including imposing strict legal measures against
dowry, female foeticide, sexual crime against women and household violence.
 
Date 2016-09-14T08:52:25Z
2016-09-14T08:52:25Z
2013
 
Type Thesis
 
Identifier http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/76506
 
Language en
 
Format application/pdf
 
Publisher CCSHAU