Bhaskar, V. and Gupta, Bishnupriya (2007) India's missing girls: biology, customs, and economic development. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Volume 23 (Number 2). pp. 221-238. doi:10.1093/icb/grm016

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Abstract

We review the evidence on the sex ratio among children below the age of six. International evidence shows that the sex ratio at birth is slightly biased towards boys, but boys suffer greater mortality, a pattern consistent with Darwinian evolution. With economic development, the male bias in the child sex ratio increases. South and East India show levels and trends in the child sex ratio that are consistent with this evidence. However, unbalanced sex ratios in the northern and western states since the first censuses indicate discrimination against girls. Technological developments permitting sex-selective abortions have seriously aggravated the imbalances in these states. Economic modelling of parental choice regarding a child's gender suggests that gender imbalances may be consistent with individual maximization and marriage-market equilibrium. Nevertheless, these choices have adverse welfare consequences, which will be aggravated by the decline in population growth and consequent relaxation of the 'marriage squeeze'.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics
Journal or Publication Title:	Oxford Review of Economic Policy
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0266-903X
Official Date:	2007
Dates:	Date Event 2007 UNSPECIFIED
Volume:	Volume 23
Number:	Number 2
Number of Pages:	18
Page Range:	pp. 221-238
DOI:	10.1093/icb/grm016
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access

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