Q14.Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments.

Paradoxically, some of India's most economically prosperous regions exhibit an adverse sex ratio, with fewer females per 1000 males. This challenges the assumption that development inherently leads to gender equality.

Deep-rooted Son Preference

A persistent patriarchal mindset views sons as inheritors and old-age security, often overriding education. Daughters are perceived as an economic burden due to dowry and non-inheritance of property.

Access to Sex-Selective Technologies

Prosperous areas offer better access to advanced medical facilities and diagnostic technologies like ultrasound, misused for illegal pre-natal sex determination. Higher disposable income facilitates these illicit services.

Weak Enforcement and Empowerment

Ineffective implementation of the PCPNDT Act and lack of genuine social empowerment for women mean economic prosperity does not necessarily translate into changed societal norms or gender equality.

The adverse sex ratio in prosperous regions is a complex outcome of deep-seated social biases, economic pressures, technological misuse, and governance failures, necessitating holistic interventions.