Sex preference in South Asia: XXXX Lanka an outlier.

@entity1 @entity3595 @entity9909
At a 1994 symposium on sex preference in Asia, represented countries were grouped as follows: a) rapid fertility decline, strong son preference, and abnormal sex ratio at birth (China, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea); b) rapid fertility decline, no son preference, and normal sex ratio at birth (Indonesia, @entity3595 Lanka, and Thailand); and c) slow fertility decline, strong son preference, and normal sex ratio at birth (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan). This article reviews the factors responsible for strong son preference in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and the reasons for the lack of son preference in @entity3595 Lanka. Abnormal sex ratios are attributed to sex-selective abortions. Sex preference in South Asia results in excessive mortality of female @entity1 . Mention is made of a higher mortality risk of daughters in Indian households with more older female @entity1 . Bairagi is cited for his evidence that in Bangladesh daughters having older sisters have a higher mortality risk. In Pakistan survey results indicate that sons are preferred. Numerous authors are cited for evidence suggesting that fertility might be lower if son preference were reduced. Rajaretnam and Deshpande are cited for findings that contraceptive prevalence in south India would increase by about 12% in high-prevalence areas and about 25% in low-prevalence areas in the absence of sex preference. Bourne and Walker and Das Gupta are identified as authors providing evidence that increased economic opportunities for @entity1 , increased @entity1 's status, and increased value placed on @entity1 's work would reduce the desire for sons. @entity9909 argues for better old-age security and better access to food and medical care. Abeykoon has shown that weakened son preference in @entity3595 Lanka occurred over a 20-year period as improvements were made in @entity1 's status. Parents in @entity3595 Lanka give greater value to the small-family norm than to the sex of the @entity1 . A slight preference was found in 1975 and 1992. Discrimination in food and medical care in @entity3595 Lanka was apparent only prior to 1962. @entity3595 Lankan @entity1 have experienced rapid expansion of literacy and educational attainment, improved life expectancy, and wide economic involvement. @entity1 in @entity3595 Lanka are also less vulnerable to oppression within the family.
