© Indian Sociological Society Disappearing Daughters and Intensification of Gender Bias: Evidence from Two Village Studies

Why are female children still at risk in India despite progress in education, increasing participation of women in economic and political activities, and an overall improvement in the status of women? Is there any significant shift from ‘son preference ’ to ‘daughter discrimination’? Based on a study of two villages from low-fertility regions of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, this paper attempts to understand the factors responsible for the increasing discrimination against girls, even before they are born. The widespread use of sex-determination tests and abortion facilities has given an opportunity for parents to achieve the desired family size and the desired gender composition of children. There is an intensification of gender bias particularly among the peasant communities. The rapid fertility decline, not accompanied by changes in the cultural values and gender inequality, has resulted in a deliberate attempt to ‘get rid of girls’. [Keywords: daughter discrimination; female foeticide; fertility decline; son preference; sex selection] Having a daughter is like watering a flower in the neighbour’s garden. – Tamil proverb Considerable attention has been paid by researchers to different aspect