Subject: Indian Society

Answer:

The paradox of prosperity and adverse sex ratio in India's affluent regions reflects deeply entrenched son preference and gender discrimination, despite economic advancement. According to NFHS-5 (2020-21), while India's overall sex ratio has improved to 1,020 females per 1,000 males, several prosperous regions continue to show concerning trends.

Cultural and Economic Factors

• Patriarchal Value System: Despite economic progress, traditional mindsets valuing sons as economic assets and family lineage carriers persist in prosperous regions.
• Dowry Burden: Higher prosperity often leads to increased dowry expectations, making daughters perceived as economic liabilities.
• Property Rights: Sons are preferred for inheritance despite legal reforms like the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005.

Technological Misuse

• Access to Medical Facilities: Affluent regions have better healthcare infrastructure, leading to misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques for sex determination.
• Implementation Gaps: Despite the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, enforcement remains weak in prosperous areas.

Educational Paradox

• Inverse Relationship: Higher education and income sometimes correlate with greater access to sex-selective procedures.
• Kerala Model: Stands as an exception with the highest sex ratio of 1,084 females per 1,000 males, demonstrating the positive impact of women's education and empowerment.

Social Status and Modernization

• Status Symbol: In prosperous regions, small family norms combined with son preference lead to sex-selective practices.
• Social Pressure: Despite economic independence, families face societal pressure to have male children.

The solution lies in implementing comprehensive measures like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, strict enforcement of PCPNDT Act, and changing societal mindsets through education and awareness. Success stories like Kerala's model of social development through women's empowerment and education demonstrate that prosperity when coupled with progressive social attitudes can lead to improved gender outcomes.