Benjamin Jefferys TA Craig Anderson Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Sociology 023 India Son Preference India belongs to what

at is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive clubs on earth; the billionaires club. Only China and India can stake the claim that they have populations above 1 billion. But what is the major cause of this outrageous population growth in India? This is difficult to pinpoint, but one of the main reasons for this overpopulation is an overwhelming preference for sons over daughters. Son preference by many Indians has increased fertility rates across India. The notion is really very simply, women are expected to bear sons; when they do not, Indians try again. Many people (such as the one couple mentioned in the video) have had 4 girls in pursuit of a son. This creates a large problem, an unsustainable young age structure. Son preference in India is a deep, and culturally invested problem. It is impossible to make one claim for the reason of this son preference. I will offer a few major reasons, the first being practicality. Many Indians prefer a son over a daughter because in a male oriented society, the male is the bread winner. The male is the bearer of the family name, and the male is the heir to the family reputation. However those reasons are simple compared to others. Some Indians prefer sons because according to Hindu belief and Indian tradition, when a son lights your funeral fire; you will go to heaven. This sounds absurd to us as westerners, but is it any more absurd than the belief of many Christians that we can go to heaven no matter how awful of a life we lived, as long as we are sorry?

In spite of the fact that Son preference has always played a part in an increasing population in India, the Total Fertility Rate is actually down compared to India of the 1950s. How is this possible? This drop in total fertility across India in the last 50+ years, can be attributed to one major cause; economic advancement. India has been an increasingly technologically advanced nation for many years; resulting in a higher standard of living for many. To repeat the mantra - the rich got richer, and the poor had more children - before technological advancement. Certainly there are other contributing factors as well. Some conclude that an increase in access to contraceptives has decreased TFR. Some conclude that Industrialization has brought better jobs, with better pay and thus decreased TFR. Some conclude that people simply need less children today, as families do not need extra hands to work on the family farm or otherwise. Some argue that increased access to abortion has also dropped the Total Fertility Rate. However, all of these reasons can be considered reasons brought on by technological advancement. Simply put, Indians are experiencing steady population growth and the population of India is due to soon surpass Chinas. This steady population growth is driven by a need for sons. And this need for sons is driven by cultural beliefs and traditions as old as the nation itself. Prejudices and biases against women and girls have driven this need for boys, and India had become overpopulated in pursuit of producing males. Just as importantly though, is the fact that on a whole India is growing at a slower rate than in 1950, largely due to economic triumphs.