Flip-side of India's burgeoning economy - female infanticide

mynah wrote:

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Well, this isn't very pleasant reading.

I'd worry if someone did find it pleasant reading...

I have had conversations with a couple of people on the net who would. And I think a few of them have been born and brought up outside India.

mynah wrote:Perhaps they should switch to the African system of lobola, where the bridegroom pays the equivalent of a dowry to his father-in-law.

might help for a while, until they overshoot in the other direction. not that i would complain if there are a whole lot more females than males

Anniyan wrote:What is the record like in Pakistan?

In filosofeestan cuckooland ?...this forum would overflow with articles/links

The One wrote:

mynah wrote:Perhaps they should switch to the African system of lobola, where the bridegroom pays the equivalent of a dowry to his father-in-law.

might help for a while, until they overshoot in the other direction. not that i would complain if there are a whole lot more females than males

Nah, male chauvinism is pretty rife in Africa as in much of the world, so no problem of that nature is likely. Polygamy is still common, though, so poor guys have difficulties there. In traditional society a couple is not properly married before lobola is paid in full, and until such time the kids belong to the father-in-law.

mynah wrote:

The One wrote:

mynah wrote:Perhaps they should switch to the African system of lobola, where the bridegroom pays the equivalent of a dowry to his father-in-law.

might help for a while, until they overshoot in the other direction. not that i would complain if there are a whole lot more females than males

Nah, male chauvinism is pretty rife in Africa as in much of the world, so no problem of that nature is likely. Polygamy is still common, though, so poor guys have difficulties there. In traditional society a couple is not properly married before lobola is paid in full, and until such time the kids belong to the father-in-law.

"Belong"?

Josh Carney wrote:It has nothing to do with the economy, more due to historical role of women in the society. If anything the percentage of women in the work force is increasing by the day due to the economy and two income households are very common these days. As this spreads more the rural areas which is where most of this mind set prevails this issue will get better.

It is quite the opposite in places like Punjab where the ultra rich too get abortions done the moment they find out it is a girl. This madness is not just confined to villages. Even in Canada, medical centers advertise blatantly in Sikh newsletters and business pages for sex determination to draw out the idiotic NRI sikh diaspora who still act medievally despite being exposed to advanced countries and cultures.

mynah wrote:

doremi wrote:

Josh Carney wrote:It has nothing to do with the economy, more due to historical role of women in the society. If anything the percentage of women in the work force is increasing by the day due to the economy and two income households are very common these days. As this spreads more the rural areas which is where most of this mind set prevails this issue will get better.

Actually urban areas are as bad, if not worse, when it comes to these things. Specially the northern states, they have a pathetic record.

In twenty years' time these idiots wonder why there aren't brides around for their sons...

No. We have a peculiar problem in some villages in Punjab now where some families share a bride between brothers just to prevent separate families that could lead to a split in farms and properties. You actually have people buying a bride from a poor disadvantaged family being shared as wife between 2, 3 or even 4 brothers. Now this idiotic affluent sikhs have started renting wombs for sons and even 'buying' brides [young uneducated minor from India's poor states, who are sold off to be 'married' for some money by their families].

You ask me the whole thing is disgusting. Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh [the entire North India belt] is super rich and influential but aboslutely uncivilized and inhuman where society is concerned.

i have been saying for a while the west and the south should secede from india. the north and the east are a bit hopeless, all the political power but no real reform. just sucking the money from the rest of the country

With the sceptre of climate change India should be forced to practise a one child policy. It's not only India itself that is endangering the planet with its overpopulation and refusal to sign Kyoto but the Indian diaspora which can be seen everywhere overbreeds as well.

We have a two child policy from quite a few years, and afaik we did sign the Kyoto. And NRI's are not India's problem.

The One wrote:i have been saying for a while the west and the south should secede from india. the north and the east are a bit hopeless, all the political power but no real reform. just sucking the money from the rest of the country

The west ceding would probably mean no Narendra Modi or Bal Thackeray, so I won't be too unhappy.

oh well you cant win it all, hopefully with ayodhya no more an internal matter they will shrivel up

india needs a huge reorganisation. either secession or more power to the states and cities. the centre is too powerful

The One wrote:i have been saying for a while the west and the south should secede from india. the north and the east are a bit hopeless, all the political power but no real reform. just sucking the money from the rest of the country

Hear, hear!

Places like Bihar have so much in terms of natural wealth but needlessly ruined by casteism, politicians and lack of education.

But times appear to be changing, the independent media many of which are competing with each other for sensationalism are helping to bring to account these attrocities.

In another 15 years I expect states like Bihar and UP to be par with the West and Southern states. Biggest worry at the moment is the Maoists. Thankfully even in places like Bihar the masses are uprising against this.