The validity of inferences of sex-selective infanticide, abortion and neglect from unusual reported sex ratios at birth
James, W.H.
European Journal of Population 13(2): 213-217
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0168-6577 PMID: 12158999 Document Number: 271266
In a 1995 study, Clark et al. report the births of 2429 boys and 2629 girls during 1956-91 in a group of Tonga speakers. The authors then extrapolated from Visaria's 1967 review of sex ratios from birth indicating the existence of a natural Black sex ratio at birth of 102 boys for every 100 girls to calculate that 250 boys had not been reported. These boys, however, may never have existed. One cannot infer present-day sex-related infanticide or induced abortion from present unanalyzed reported birth sex ratios in any society. That is the case because present sex ratios at birth are almost certainly dependent upon past sex prejudice, which is unquantifiable. Reporting bias and/or infanticide may be partly responsible for the deficit of boys in Clark et al.'s data, but other factors could also be responsible for the deficit. Sex ratios at birth and sex prejudice, and sex ratios at birth and polygyny are discussed.