Causes and Results of Child Inclination in Pakistan

Introduction

A definitive result of child inclination is women's dissatisfaction at men's particular treatment. Women often feel overlooked and underestimated compared to favored men in a male-dominated society. In Pakistan, it appears that a widespread desire for two living children contributes to a continuing high pregnancy rate. The probable reasons for a preference for sons over daughters could be men's dominance, their status as primary decision-makers in families, and intact relations with the son's family when compared to the daughter's.

Child Inclination and Its Effects

Child inclination can also result in sex differentials in infant and child mortality. Since female children are biologically less vulnerable than males, female children often have lower death rates. Das Gupta and Bhat (1997) estimate that 1.3 million additional young females aged 0-6 went 'missing', as indicated by an increase in excess mortality of women between 1981 and 1991, a period when India experienced a rapid decline in fertility. Since sex ratios in child mortality have remained unchanged during this period, this could indicate that these additional missing young women have arisen from unreported child murders and sex-selective abortions due to the spread of sex-determination technologies.

Role of Women in Society

Since men are the sole providers, the role of women has been relegated to that of childrearing. All decision-making is in the hands of the husband. Moreover, the freedom of women becomes more restricted as families expand. Individuals are two vital parts of society influencing developmental and selection processes. However, if activities are carefully planned and resources properly utilized, women could share many responsibilities and also contribute economically. Besides their active involvement in family tasks and unpaid services, women play several roles in society. Despite this, they are still treated with a more or less prejudiced attitude in different societies worldwide.

Discrimination Against Women

Saha and Saha (1998) find that women are not accepted and do not receive proper respect in their husbands' families until they have a son. Discrimination against women in the distribution of food and reproductive health within households is one of the major issues faced by women in South Asia. According to the United Nations Charter regarding women's status, women should have equal access to education, economic resources, reproductive health programs, and political power, as well as autonomy in decision-making. Pakistan is like other Third World countries that have male-dominated societies where male family members make all the decisions, and women's participation in decision-making is low. Government and private organizations encourage women to have increased participation and status in society by providing them with education.

Economic Burden of Daughters

Pillai and Sunil (2003) state that fertility decision-making within the family is shaped by relatives' influence and the heavily weighted power distribution between a couple. The economic burden of daughters is evidenced by social history, such as dowry and restrictions on economic activities for women, giving parents an incentive for sons. Dowry and wealth flowing from the bride's family to the groom's family have become common practices in all castes and communities. This has placed a heavy burden on the bride's family in arranging the dowry demanded by the groom's family, in addition to meeting increasing marriage costs. If a family is unable to provide the expected dowry to the groom’s family, the bride’s parents may face undesirable consequences. The costs of daughters' weddings are a significant drain on family resources in India, and there is growing evidence of dowry inflation.

Gender Preference and Its Consequences

The dowry factor clearly demonstrates why daughters are not always welcome in the family and why parents prefer sons. Bhat (1991) and Ali (1989) report that a daughter's birth in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan is viewed as bringing neither benefit nor prestige to the family. Rather, it is considered an economic liability due to the dowry system and the high cost of a woman's wedding. In India and Pakistan, the birth of a boy is an occasion for celebration, whereas a girl's birth is often seen as a time of crisis. In India, until recently, billboards promised "Invest Rs 500 now, save 50,000 later," encouraging prospective parents to abort female embryos to avoid dowry costs. Another reason for considering daughters as an economic burden is related to the low participation of women in agriculture and income-generating activities.

Conclusion

Male members of families have a positive preference for sons, and this is also the case with South Asian women. This is attributed to the economic dependence of women on men. Economic dependence and subordination continue to frustrate the majority of women. On the other hand, a few women who are encouraged to be independent suffer less gender discrimination and are allowed to participate in family, economic, and social decision-making processes. They have more positive attitudes toward every aspect of life in general and in family planning. Pakistani wives are subordinate at all levels of society and are subject to their husband's rule, especially in contraceptive use. If women were involved in household decisions and other related issues, it could result in a positive impact on their personality development and ability to adopt innovations. Child preference is also one of the factors responsible for the higher fertility rate in Punjab, Pakistan. Conversely, the elimination of gender preference would be the key to reducing family size, as contraception would be adopted at an earlier stage and in more effective ways.