They Want Sons in India, or Even in Canada
A recent Canadian study has found that Indian immigrants to Canada often demonstrate a preference for male children over female ones. The study found that among Indian families with three or more children, the interval between the second and third birth was 53 months if the first two children were male, but only 39 months if they were female. This suggests that parents who have only had daughters will try again in the hope of having a son.
There are several reasons why there may be a preference for male children in Indian culture, including the belief that a daughter may bring shame to the family through her sexual behavior. But the most obvious reason is that in Indian society, it is accepted that a son and his wife will take care of the son's parents in their old age, while a daughter will go with her husband to take care of his parents.
Yaara ben Mordechai fell in love with an Indian man and lived a traditional rural life with him, where she was part of a close-knit family. She noted that this type of family togetherness is almost non-existent in Israel. Despite the country's reputation for being warm and family-friendly, very few people take care of their grandparents in their final days, living with them and ensuring they eat properly and receive proper care.
Alice Miller, who became famous as a feminist trailblazer for paving the way for women pilots in Israel Defence Forces, also lived with her Indian husband in a rural environment. She acknowledged that when people think of extended families, they often think of the stereotypical difficult mother-in-law. But she also pointed out that there is much to appreciate about the lifestyle of Himalayan women, who live close to nature and have access to clean, free-flowing water. They rely on the forest for many of their needs, including firewood, grass for cows, and compost. Despite not having much money, they are able to fulfill many of the dreams that Western mothers have.
The traditional beauty of a rural, extended family lifestyle has its drawbacks, one of which is the negative incentive to have daughters. In Indian culture, daughters are not expected to take care of their parents in their old age, but rather the parents of their husbands. As a result, parents may try for another child after having two daughters in the hope of having a son. This decision is based on practical considerations, not unlike a consultation with a financial advisor. It has no consequences for society and helps maintain the desired gender ratio.
However, the situation is different when parents who already have two daughters learn that they are expecting another girl and decide to abort the pregnancy. This decision has consequences for the gender balance in society and can be seen as a classic example of the tragedy of the commons and the prisoner's dilemma. While it may be in the best interests of the parents, it is not good for society as a whole. Previous research has shown that Indian-Canadian women are three times more likely to abort a female fetus if they have already had two boys.