Author:
Bhatnagar Nidhi,Dudeja Puja,Jindal Ashok
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A strong preference for male child exists in our society. Most of the factors that compel or favor son preference are social in origin. A cross-sectional study was conducted to ascertain preference for male child in married females of two semiurban communities in Pune and determinants thereof. Unit of study was a married woman in reproductive age group of 16 to 45 years. A close-ended, pretested structured interview schedule was prepared. Face-to-face interview was conducted with the respondents. Preference for a male child was taken as presence of sex preference in the respondent. Data was analyzed using EPI 2002 software. Preference for male child was present in half of the respondents. Remaining half believed that it is not necessary for each couple to have a male child. Proportion of women with preference for a male child decreased as the educational level of women increased and it was found that there was a significant linear relationship between literacy status and son preference (p < 0.05). Significantly more (64%) of joint family respondents had son preference than nuclear family (40%). The odds of a respondent from a joint family having a son preference were 2.6 times that of a respondent in nuclear (p < 0.05). Hindus had significantly more preference for male child as compared to non-Hindus. The most common reason for desire to have a male child was ‘an expectation of security in old age’. Others reasons included ‘to perform last rites’ and ‘to make in-laws happy’.
How to cite this article
Dudeja P, Singh A, Jindal A, Bhatnagar N. Preference for Male Child in Two Semiurban Communities of Pune. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2013;47(3):144-147.
Publisher
Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishing
Cited by
2 articles.
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