Gender preference and its impact on families: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Despite tremendous economic progress made through liberalization and globalization, gender preference for children remains a major issue in any society throughout the globe. The aim of the study was to determine the gender preference for children and its impact on family among study population.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out between October-2013 to December-2013 in the urban (Ratanpar) and rural (Khodu village) field practice area of C U Shah Medical College Surendranagar, Gujarat. Total 377 study participants were selected by using systematic random sampling. Data was collected using pre designed and pre tested questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS.Results: Out of total study population, about 78.8% were completed their family and 21.2% had desire for child in near future. Those who had completed their family, nearly two third of them were blessed with both male and female child (62%). Among those who had desire for child (n=80), about two fifth (41.2%) wished to have male child. At parity one, 52% had desire for only male child as next child and also strong preference for male child was observed at parity two and above among those having only female children.Conclusions: Study revealed that most of the couples wish to have at least one son in the family hence perception of parents towards desired gender of child to be born must be gravitated in favor of daughters.

Hannah’s prayer for a male child: Interpreting 1 Samuel 1:11 in the Nigerian context

“…hand of ease] (Makinde 2004:169), 'which ensures ease and success in [their every] undertaking' (Abiodun 1989:7). Nonetheless, in most cases when the first issue is a girl, anxiety begins to mount 'for only a male child as the next child' (Dadwani, Koringa & Kartha 2019:2539. The level of reception a new baby gets from the friends and relatives of its parents is determined by its sex.…”

“…There is evidence of gender 'discrimination at each stage of life even after birth' (Dadwani et al 2019(Dadwani et al :2538, particularly in the area of education. Some parents focus all their resources on the education of their sons, because they believe they rely on the sons for old-age support apart from 'continuity of family name and property inheritance' (Agbor 2016:4).…”

“…Igwe and Akolokwu (2015:4) identified consequences of male child preference to include different socialisation processes of the children, higher rates of mortality among young girls and gender disparities in education and health care (cf. Dadwani et al 2019Dadwani et al :2538. It may lead to girls growing up with psychological traits such as 'low self-esteem, having internalized feeling of inferiority and worthlessness' (Dadwani et al 2019(Dadwani et al :2538.…”

“…Dadwani et al 2019Dadwani et al :2538. It may lead to girls growing up with psychological traits such as 'low self-esteem, having internalized feeling of inferiority and worthlessness' (Dadwani et al 2019(Dadwani et al :2538. Furthermore, many couples have separated or divorced on account of wives not being able to bring forth male children.…”