Decreasing Child Sex Ratio in Jammu and Kashmir: A Serious Social Problem

Abstract

The imbalanced sex ratio of the population in Jammu and Kashmir has become a serious
problem, for the society. In recent decade more male babies have been born in state due to
people’s preference for having male children. The phenomena of sex determination and sex
selective abortion is now concentrating not only in towns and cities but also approaching in
rural areas with the availability of better road and transport facilities. The findings of this
paper reveal that in spite of the various legal provisions and women’s specific developmental
programs, the gender bias and deep-rooted prejudices still persist. The most influential factor
that has affected the sex ratio in the state is a strong son preference. With this view in mind,
the present paper aims to identify how different forces of social change are responsible for
the problem of declining sex ratio. Paper also looks into the different concepts of sex ratio
and concludes with some suggestions, which can be utilized for solving the problem of
declining child sex ratio