The preference for son and discrimination against the girl child is almost universal in India and manifest it in many ways. Changes in sex ratio reflect underlying socioeconomic, cultural patterns of a society. Skewed sex ratio is an issue of major concern. Desire for male child manifests so blatantly that parents have no qualms about repeated, closely spaced pregnancies, premature deaths and even terminating child before it is born.
Total 200 antenatal women were interviewed by systematic random sampling with prior consent using a well designed, pre- tested questionnaire. The data was analyzed by percentages and chi-square test
Overall in this study it was observed male preference was in 63% antenatal women. Out of total women with first child as a baby girl 78.6% keenly wanted second baby as a boy. Almost more than half of the women (59%) were aware about consequences of female foeticide and 69% were aware of the PNDT act.
Gender, Preference, Awareness, Foeticide, PNDT Act
