Why do some of the most prosperous regions of India have an adverse sex ratio for women? Give your arguments. (UPSC 2014)

India’s prosperous regions often show a worse sex ratio for women because economic growth has not removed deep patriarchal values. In fact, affluence can make son preference easier to act upon through technology and private healthcare.

• Small families, stronger son desire: With fertility falling below replacement level, many families want only one or two children and try to ensure a son.
• Easy access to sex selection: Wealthy areas have more private clinics, ultrasound machines and illegal diagnostic services.
• Patrilineal social structure: Sons are seen as heirs for land, business and old-age support, while daughters are linked with dowry and marriage expenses.
• Weak enforcement: Laws like the PCPNDT Act exist, but monitoring and conviction remain poor.

Thus, the adverse sex ratio in rich regions reflects the combination of prosperity, low fertility and entrenched gender bias. Economic development alone cannot correct it without strict law enforcement and a change in social attitudes.