Sociocultural Factors Affecting Sex Ratio and Health Deprivation of Girl Child in India:A Review

Sex ratio is an important social indicator to measure the extent of the prevailing equality between males and females in a society at a given point of time. Clianges in sex ratio largely reflect the underlying socio-economic and cultural patterns of a society in different ways. The present paper reviews various socio-cultural factors like traditional cultural practices, health practices, food and nutrition, education, awareness about laws, mobility of girls, attitude toward female, son preference, etc. that affect sex ratio and causes health deprivation of girl child. It is concluded that patriarchy manifested in son preference and daughter discrimination reduces the survival chances of girl child. This is reinforced by factors including property inheritance, dowry, high marriage cost and availability of the cheap technology. The results of various studies suggest that there is a need to change the mind set of society about girls their survival and development.