A wealthy, well-educated couple from Canada recently visited my clinic in India for an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) consultation. After ten years of marriage, they were eager to begin their journey toward parenthood. The consultation was routine—until the wife added quietly, “I would like a male child.” Her husband, though visibly uncomfortable, agreed.
As a gynecologist, I’ve encountered this request many times. While IVF offers life-changing opportunities to those struggling with infertility, it also opens the door to a disturbing practice: sex selection.
Why the Continued Preference for Sons?
Despite the immense strides women have made across all sectors—from politics and science to corporate leadership and law—the desire for male children remains deeply rooted in many societies. In India, this preference is tied to longstanding cultural traditions where sons are seen as carriers of family name, lineage, and inheritance. From lighting the funeral pyre to managing ancestral property, these responsibilities have historically been assigned to boys.
Even today, many struggle to accept the idea that daughters can fulfill these roles. The belief that only a son can uphold family legacy is not just outdated—it’s harmful.
The Pressure on Women
In India, the burden of producing a male heir often falls squarely on women’s shoulders. I’ve witnessed the heartbreak of couples disappointed by the birth of a second daughter. I’ve treated women facing emotional coercion, threats of abandonment, and even divorce for not giving birth to a son. Surprisingly, this mindset isn’t limited to underprivileged communities—highly educated, affluent families also request sex selection during IVF to appease traditional family expectations.
When I ask such couples, “Why not a girl?” I am often met with dismissive laughter or awkward silence. It’s a response that underscores how entrenched gender bias remains, even among those who outwardly support gender equality.
Crossing Borders for Sex Selection
Because India’s laws prohibit sex selection, some couples travel abroad to countries like Dubai, Thailand, or Singapore, where such practices are legal. But changing location doesn’t change the motive. Whether done domestically or overseas, the desire for a son reflects the same deep-seated bias.
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, amended in 2003, strictly forbids sex selection in India. Despite this, illegal clinics still operate, prompting the government to ramp up surveillance and enforcement. Unfortunately, this crackdown sometimes places undue stress on ethical medical practitioners and couples who are following the law.
Changing the Mindset
While strict regulation is necessary, legal measures alone cannot eradicate gender bias. We must address the root of the issue—social and cultural conditioning. Public awareness campaigns and education initiatives are essential to challenging outdated beliefs and reshaping attitudes.
Empowering women economically is equally critical. When women have financial independence and leadership roles, societal perceptions shift. A daughter who runs a company or inherits a family business can be just as much a symbol of legacy as a son.
Ultimately, the goal is not only to offer IVF ethically but to foster a world where a child—regardless of gender—is welcomed, cherished, and celebrated.
Read more:
