Declining Female Ratio

The overall sex ratio (OSR) at nationwide (the number of females per 1000 males) in 2011 Census has improved by seven percentage points to 940 against 933 in census of 2001. This is the highest sex ratio at the national level since census of 1971 and a shade lower than 1961.However, the area of grave concern remained

The lowest ever child sex ratio (CSR) of 914. The provisional data in 2011 Census showed that the child sex ratio (0 to 6) come down to 914 females per 1000 males against 927 in 2001 .It showed a continuing preference for male children to female children in the last decade. Rapid decline in child sex ratio is a serious problem with severe socio-economic, demographic and cultural implication. This paper examines the spatial as well temporal analysis on trends as well as pattern of child sex ratio and its causes of decline, based on empirical data. Some suggestions are recommended for policy implications.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011 CENSUS

The increasing in child sex ratio that came as a shock in the latest census figures shows 914 girls, and this is the lowest ever since Independence, slipping from 927 in 2001.The increasing trend has been seen in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while in all, the remaining 27 states and Union Territories, the rate has shown a decline. It was the highest in Mizoram at 971, closely followedby Meghalaya (970), while at the rock bottom was Haryana with 800 and Punjab with 846.At the district level, Lahul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh had the highest child sex ratio at 1,013, while in Twang district of Arunachal Pradesh, it was 1,005. It was shamefully low in Jhajjar and Mahendragarh of Haryana at 774 and 778 respectively.

TRENDS OF CHILD SEX RATIO

The child sex ratio is a sensitive indicator that displays the status of girl child. The study of trends in child sex ratio will reveal the intensity of changes in it, over a period of time. In the present study overall sex ratio of India is also taken to know the gravity change in sex ratios.

The child sex ratio has been declining faster than overall sex ratio. The overall sex ratio in 2011 Census had gone up by seven points to touch 940 against 933 in 2001 census, the child sex ratio plummeted to 914 from 927.It was 983 in 1951, declined to 964 in 1971, 945 in 1991, 927 in 2001 and come down to 914 in 2011.While, the corresponding ratios for overall sex ratios were 946,930,927,933 and 940respectively.In recent decades, the child sex ratio has drastically declined. It recorded highest fall, dropping 18 points from 945to927.Moreover, in 2011, the child sex ratio (914) is lower than overall sex ratio (940), which reveals the severity of the problem.

The sharpest decline in sex ratio of the child population has been observed in North western States followed by Northern States, North Eastern States, and East States during 1981-2011. while in south Indian states, it declined moderately, which reveals

favorable to girl child. Among the states, a drastic decline in child sex ratio is recorded in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal, and Union territory of Chandigarhand Delhi during1981-2001.However, in recent decade a sharp decline is recoded in states of  Jammu& Kashmir, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Manipur, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland. Union territory of Dadara & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep also recorded high loss of child population.

In India, the child sex ratio is higher in rural areas than urban. Similar trend is observed in most of the states. In contrast, higher sex ratio has recorded in urban areas of TamilNadu which show a negative favour to girl child in rural areas. In general, highest decline   in sex ratio recorded in urban areas . Drastic decline is observed in the urban areas of Haryana, Gujarat, and Utter Pradesh,

While, a heavy loss is found in both rural and urban areas of Punjab. Similarly, in Maharashtra also, the magnitude of female child loss is higher, in rural than urban areas.

CAUSES FOR DECLINE IN CHILD SEX RATIO

Several causes are attributed to the decline in the number of girls–Sex ratio at birth influenced by sex selective abortions, son preference, high mortality rate, female foeticide, cultural practices and neglect of the girl child. Today, Sex-selective abortions have been greatly facilitated by the misuse of diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis that can determine the sex of the foetus. While science and technology is supposed to help for achieving progress of society, it was being used to detect the gender of foetus and unfortunately, a lot of sex selective abortions are taking place today. These reasons are examined here under based on empirical evidence.

SON PREFERENCE

The preference for sons has deep roots in India for cultural and economic reasons. Once daughter marries, she leaves the parental home to live with her in-laws. She is perceived to be of little economic benefit to her parents and will not support them in their old age. A further motivation for a son over a daughter is the belief among Hindus that, it is essential for a son to perform rituals at his parent’s cremation and at every death anniversary thereafter. Therefore,  a strong son preference exists in many parts of India. A study by, Dasgupta (2005) has convincingly proved that there has been a strong son preference, and the sex ratio is closely related to the sex composition of children already born in the family. People are pressurized to bear sons while limiting the number of daughters in order to conserve scarce household resources. The  preference for male child can be examined through studying the trends in  sex ratio at birth by birth order.

SUMMARY

The child sex ratio rapidly declined by dropping 18 points from 945 in 1991to 927 in 2001 and recorded as914 in 2011.While the overall sex ratio has raised during the period. The child sex ratio is less than 800 in 14 districts, consists 122,520 villages and urban are as.The sharpest decline in sex ratio of the child population has been observed in Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttranchal, Maharashtra and Union territory of Chandigarh and Delhi during 1981-2001. However, in recent decade a sharp decline is recorded in states of Jammu& Kashmir,Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Manipur, Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland.

Union territory ofDadara & Nagar Haveli and Lakshadweep also recorded high loss of child population. In 2011, the bottom ten districts with the worst performance in child sex ratio were instates of Haryana, Jammu& Kashmir,Maharashtra and Uttaranchal.The sex ratio at birth (SBR) has been declining. It was 951 in NFHS-I, declined to 935 in NFHS-II and come down to 920 in NFHS-III, caused by sex

selective abortions. Sex ratio at birth has rapidly decline in low child sex ratio states. Son preference is causing for low female births at earlier birth orders. It is seen in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Delhi. It also proved in second birth order in relation to sex ofthe child with rural–urban area differentials. Female infant and child mortality are significantly causes to decline in child sex ratio, which is clearly evident in states where child sex ratio is least.

SUGGESTIONS

combination of one son and one daughter, so that imbalances in the child sex ratio could be removed.

communities not to discriminate against girl children and stay away from practices like sex selection and female foeticide

security and life insurance programmes should access to rural and urban areas, which will possibly reduce the excessive dependence on sons

right-based and gender sensitive approach to population stabilization