International Journal of Research in Social Sciences

Preference for a male child particularly in rural India is deeply entrenched in the religious social and economic environment. According to the Hindu traditions, for example, the son performs the Shradha rites upon the death of his father, and thereafter yearly, which is supposed to save the father's soul from going to hell sons are highly desired for carrying on the family's name and transfer of property rights, particularly landed property; as providers of emotional comfort and economic security in the parents' old age; and as the chief source of reliable labor in farming and other family-type economic ventures But among the Muslims the birth of a son does not have any religious significance as is found in the case of Hindus. Rather in Islam daughters are a means of salvation and a path to Jannah for their parent's. But still the craze to bear a son is quite rampant among the Muslims of Cuttack district. This paper seeks to explore the fertility behaviour among Muslims in Cuttack district of Odisha. The main objective of the present study is to prove that higher fertility rate among Muslims is not because of their religion rather it seems to be determined by other social, cultural and economic factors such as their son preference attitude The present study seeks to collect data from both primary data such as unstructured interview schedules as well as an analytical study based on secondary sources such as the NFHS I, II, III, Census, Human Development Report etc. The reasons that were traditionally responsible for preference of sons over daughters still continue to be the guiding force behind such a perception in present context. The preference for sons over daughters has resulted in an increased level of fertility.