Defying Nature: Choosing The Sex of an Unborn Baby is Wrong 

Introduction

Many would say that having a child is a journey filled with fascination and wonderment. It’s the beginning of a new life touched by the miracles from Heaven. As the nation continuously achieves advancements in technology, the question of whether or not parents should have the right to choose the sex of their unborn baby arises. According to the World Health Organization, “Sex selection refers to the practice of using medical techniques to choose the sex of offspring” (World Health Organization, 2020). Parents may turn to this practice when they wish to give birth to a certain sex.

Defying Nature: Choosing The Sex of an Unborn Baby is Wrong

Using this method is allowed in cases related to medical problems, but why might parents seek it for non-medical reasons? It is clear to me that it is not because of the child’s sex, but because of the child’s gender. Parents should not be able to choose the sex of their unborn child. To begin with, sex selection gives way to false gender stereotypes and roles. Liza Mundy, author of Everything Conceivable, a book on reproductive technology, states that “In the sex-selection chat rooms I looked at, there were lots of women looking forward to dressing little girls in pink outfits and putting pretty bows in their hair” (Mundy, 2007, p. 34). The problem with that is not all little girls like pink and pretty bows, just as not all little boys like action figures and cars. There is no exact relationship between a gender and their preferences. So why do we put restrictions on our children? You’re a girl so you must like pink. You’re a boy so you like blue. Parents should not be allowed to push shallow cultural norms onto their children for the sake of fitting into society.

The Persistence of Gender Stereotypes

Furthermore, EurekAlert, a global source for science news, featured a journal named Psychology of Women Quarterly, a research showing that gender stereotypes from over 30 years ago are still strong as ever. It states “Beliefs about male gender roles, such as that males 'repair and maintain the car,' did not significantly change from 1983 to 2014" (EurekAlert, 2014). Our views on a gender’s role have not changed for over 30 years. Everything around us has changed, the technology, advancements in science, everything except our views on a gender’s role. If we’re not willing to adapt to changing the way we think, then we’re not fit to choose the gender of our children. Without a doubt, sex selection reinforces unhealthy cultural practices.

Gender Imbalance and Cultural Implications

In many cultures, women are already oppressed and seen as less important and valuable compared to men. In 2016, around 708 million people in China were male, while nearly 675 million were female (Statistica, 2016). China’s one-child policy was a big factor in this gender imbalance along with cultural factors. Many couples believed that boys were more likely to be employed, have stable jobs, and be able to support their family. On the other hand, girls were seen as liabilities. As a result, they would often get abortions after finding out that the gender of their baby was a girl. A similar situation takes place in India. Gender imbalance is a result of sex-selective abortions. According to DownToEarth, “At least 117 million girls around the world demographically go 'missing' due to sex-selective abortions” (DownToEarth, 2019).

Personal Reflection and Conclusion

Growing up in a very traditional Hmong family (a culture very similar to that of China’s), there is nothing more that I can relate to than feeling unimportant because of my gender. I was raised to believe that my role as a woman was to tend to my husband’s needs and care for his family. My brother was the only star of the family even when I achieved just as much as he did. The outdated ideals that certain cultures believe must be stopped. These assumptions no longer hold any truth in the 21st century. We know that girls are just as capable as boys to gain success when given the same opportunities. We can’t justify providing gender-selective services that support untrue and outdated patriarchal ideals. Allowing parents to pick and choose the gender of their unborn child is wrong. We all bring our own motives and wants to childbearing. Simply put, only parents with a strong prejudice will undertake such an invasive procedure. The birth of a child should not be abused and interfered with by selfish human desires.

References

DownToEarth. (2019). At least 117 million girls around the world demographically go “missing” due to sex-selective abortions. Retrieved from https://www.downtoearth.org.in

EurekAlert. (2014). Beliefs about male gender roles, such as that males "repair and maintain the car," did not significantly change from 1983 to 2014. Retrieved from https://www.eurekalert.org

Mundy, L. (2007). Everything Conceivable. New York: Knopf.

Statistica. (2016). Gender distribution in China. Retrieved from https://www.statistica.com

World Health Organization. (2020). Sex selection refers to the practice of using medical techniques to choose the sex of offspring. Retrieved from https://www.who.int