Gender bias and economic development in India: A case study of Haryana

Abstract

The present study examines the gender bias in India with particular reference to Haryana in terms of select social and demographic indicators. Despite a rapid economic transformation, Haryana lags far behind in the field of social change. The society is governed by a patriarchal structure that subjugates women in all possible ways. An abnormally large deficit of females in the population is a manifestation of this phenomenon. A general neglect of girl children and the resultant sex differentials in mortality along with a widespread practice of female foeticide in the wake of strong son-preference are indicators of persisting gender bias in the society. On the basis of correlates between the child sex ratio and select indicators, the study indicates that gender bias does not necessarily decline with improvement even in the material well-being of women. It, therefore, argues for some more radical and rapid social progress that can effectively make inroads into the pernicious effects of patriarchy.