The Boy – Mania in India

Is it fair to discriminate between a boy and a girl child? Overall, the views are split. Some argue that given the one-child norm, people prefer a boy to carry the family name forward. The vile practice of dowry tips the scale against the girls. This act is however illegal in Indian law and is a social evil causing a misbalance in the natural girl: boy ratio of the country.

Society needs to be educated that a girl can care for her parents even after marriage; she can be groomed into a capable and confident individual and can bring the same glory and happiness to the family as can a boy. Male preference is more prevalent in certain states such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. Studies have shown that while rural/ urban divide and economic growth have no link with this preference, education of the girl child can help control this evil.

Has man forgotten that it is a woman who carries the generation forward?