Increasingly, the preference for sons is linked to cultural factors rather than biological ones. Sex-selective abortion is a term used to describe the practice of aborting female infants on the basis of their sex rather than viability. This practice is widespread in Asia, and it is often referred to as sex-selective abortion.
A number of nations including India and China might create a dramatic gender imbalance, as sex-selective abortions continue to be a phenomenon. Researchers estimate that such abortions caused the “disappearance” of 23 to 45 million women. Now, a new study estimates that in less than a decade 4.7 million more females will be lost.
The study used as a reference 3.26 billion birth records from 204 countries. Out of those countries, 12 appeared to have an unbalanced sex ratio. Moreover, researchers also identified 17 nations that appear to be taking that same route. Nonetheless, the news is not that bleak. The study also observed that the 12 countries also show improvement signs, especially when it came to India and China, which are the most affected countries.
Compared to the number of “lost” women in the 1970s, the future estimations show lower numbers. The study predicts that 5.7 million women won’t be born by 2100. While this is not a complete recovery, it is a clear sign of advance.
Unfortunately, the gender imbalance does come with serious social consequences. Looking at India and China we can see that the skewed sex ratio has led to an uptick in female trafficking, prostitution, and violence against women, while men appear to grow increasingly lonely. The governments are aware of this situation and in the past years, they have created restrictions for sex-selective abortions as well as offered incentives for female births.
These findings suggest that action continues to be needed against sex-based abortion, as well as the severe discrimination and stereotypes that cause it.
