Female Infanticide in Rural South India

摘要: Infanticide has been a widespread and longstanding practice the subject of many accounts. There is however little dependable data on subject. A direct study female infanticide in rural south Indian state Tamil Nadu was made 12 noncontiguous villages. Most villagers are Hindus average caste composition 56% gounders 31% harijans 11% other backward castes 2% forward castes. 60% mothers illiterate. The area distinctly Dravidian features language marriage household dynamics status. Consanguineous marriages normal among uncle niece first cousins or more extended kin relations. Sons daughters receive relatively equal treatment terms food medical care adult women have high status their households. Gender inequality exists but it takes less severe form than India. Data were gathered from April 1 1987 to September 30 1989 by following all pregnancies 13000 people. 773 births: 378 male 381 live births 8 13 stillbirths. High quality demographic generated village child education workers who visit each home every 10-12 days homes within 2 birth. with mother immediate relatives. In cases field team knew before birth occurred that family intended commit if baby girl. reflect conservative estimates only (there at least 3 suspicious reported stillbirths out total 21 may also include infanticide). reference period 23 33 babies died; 19 confirmed infanticides females. Thus half deaths villages due 9.7% resulted infanticide. 6 where responsible for 72% deaths. These distinctive features. They remote bus service as compared not practiced population educated rates consanguinity higher (65 vs. 40%) holistic approach underlying social needed change complex system values allows this construct policies reduce