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Female Foeticide in India: Looking Beyond Son Preference and Dowry
Mehar Singh Gill
Published: 2013/06/01
Abstract
This paper attempts to discuss the basal factors that impel people to choose to practice female foeticide in India. Son preference and the cost of providing dowries are very important in this regard, but not the only reasons. Apart from their economic, social, and religious value to the parents, sons also play a signal role in defending the family against violence. However, the degree of son preference shows strong positive correlation with level of daughter aversion in large parts of the country. Hence, in order to locate the basal reasons of female foeticide, it is necessary to understand the dynamics of both son preference and daughter aversion.
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