Awareness of rural couples about sex-ratio
Ghosh, E., A.; Goel, R.; Balda, S.
Journal of Human Ecology 18(2): 167-168
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0970-9274 Document Number: 264275
There is growing imbalance in the male-female ratio. Sex-ratio is a three tier phenomenon. First, it means the number of females per 1000 males in respect to the total population. Secondly, sex-ratio at birth indicates the number of female children born per 1000 males children. Thirdly sex-ratio in the lowest age group among children from birth to six years. As per 2001 census, the overall sex-ratio of India is 933 females per 1000 males which is less than the overall international sex-ratio of 986 females per 1000 males. Hence it was thought relevant to study awareness of rural couples on these issues. The study was conducted by selecting two villages Palpur and Ravanika from two block's of district Allahabad from Uttar Pradesh by random selection. From each village a sample of 50 couples under the age of 45 years were randomly selected to make a total sample size of 100 couples; Awareness about sex-ratio, quite a large number of males (64%) and females (74%) had no knowledge about it. Females foeticide was cited by respondents (41% male and 36% females) as the main reasons for the imbalanced sex-ratio. Eighty one per cent males and 65 per cent females felt that the major problem due to imbalanced sex-ratio would be non-availability of brides.