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Abstract

Sex-selective abortions have produced a high sex ratio at birth (SRB) in many East Asian, South Asian and African countries. There is a lack of material in existing literature that directly compares the issue in South Korea (hereafter Korea) and India. Dominant patriarchal ideologies such as son preference has led to high rates of female infanticide. Additionally, increased accessibility to sex determination technology, such as ultrasound machines led to increased sex-selective abortions.

This dissertation uses existing literature to explore the contributing factors of a high SRB including son preference, prenatal sex selection, and the manifestation of gender inequality within education and the labour force. It aims to evaluate Korea’s policies and strategies to reverse their SRB in order to inform recommendations for India to achieve the same. Korea’s policies to raise fertility in combination with legislation to devalue sons, influenced by women’s movements, serves as an example for India to follow to reverse their SRB. This is a desk research-based dissertation using secondary research from academics who have evaluated relevant topics and conducted relevant studies. 

Course: International Development - BA - C28415

Date Deposited: 2022-02-17

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13812.html