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3.2.4 - How gendered is the family?

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Gender Expectations in Investment

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s talk about how families decide where to invest their resources. What beliefs influence these decisions?

Student 1
Student 1

I think families believe that boys will take care of them when they get old.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This belief leads to parents prioritizing education and resources for male children. This phenomenon can be remembered with the acronym 'BOYS' which stands for 'Burden on Your shoulders (for parents in old age)'.

Student 2
Student 2

But what about girls? Don’t they have potential too?

Teacher
Teacher

Good point! However, many families see girls as future brides who will contribute to another family. Thus, they invest less in them.

Survival Rates of Infants

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Teacher
Teacher

Despite the biological facts that females have better survival statistics at birth, there is a disparity in infant mortality rates. Why do you think that is?

Student 3
Student 3

Maybe because they are not valued as much?

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! In some regions of India, cultural practices lead to higher mortality rates for girls due to neglect or lack of medical care. This situation can be summarized with the phrase, 'Girls are often sidelined'.

Student 4
Student 4

That’s really sad. How can families change this?

Teacher
Teacher

It requires cultural shifts and awareness about the value of girls in society.

Long-Term Impacts of Gender Bias

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Teacher
Teacher

How do these beliefs about gender affect society over time?

Student 2
Student 2

It probably results in a smaller workforce of trained women.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This contributes to economic issues and limits women's roles in society. A mnemonic you can keep in mind is 'LESS' - which stands for 'Limited Employment for Social Success'!

Student 1
Student 1

What can be done to address these issues?

Teacher
Teacher

Education and public awareness campaigns to demonstrate the importance and capabilities of girls can foster change.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

The family structure is influenced by gender-based expectations, leading to differing levels of investment in male and female children.

Standard

Gender biases in familial structures, particularly in investment in education and resources, manifest through the belief that male children will support parents in old age while female children will leave upon marriage. This results in higher mortality rates for female infants despite their greater biological survival potential.

Detailed

In this section, we explore the deeply ingrained gender expectations surrounding family dynamics, especially in parts of India. The traditional belief that male children are expected to provide financial support for their parents in old age, while female children are seen as temporary members of the family who will leave upon marriage, leads families to prioritize the investment in male children over female ones. Despite evidence indicating that female infants have better survival rates compared with male infants, the contrasting social values contribute to a higher rate of infant mortality among female children in lower age groups.

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Audio Book

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Investment Bias in Male Children

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The belief is that the male child will support the parents in the old age and the female child will leave on marriage results in families investing more in a male child.

Detailed Explanation

Many families hold a traditional belief that sons will take care of their parents as they grow older. This belief drives families to invest more resources, such as time, money, and education, into raising male children. On the other hand, daughters are often seen as leaving the family upon marriage, leading to a perception that investing in female children is less beneficial for the family's future.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine a family that has one son and one daughter. The parents might save more money for their son's college education, thinking he will support them later. Meanwhile, they may not prioritize the daughter's education because they believe she will be supported by her husband once she marries.

Survival Rates and Gender Discrepancies

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Despite the biological fact that a female baby has better chances of survival than a male baby, the rate of infant mortality among female children is higher in comparison to male children in lower age groups in India.

Detailed Explanation

Statistically, female infants generally have a higher chance of survival at birth than male infants. However, in certain cultures, including many parts of India, there is a troubling trend where female infants face higher rates of mortality. This can be due to a variety of factors, including neglect, reduced access to healthcare, and societal preferences for male children, which can result in less care and attention being given to females.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a community where gender preferences strongly favor boys. If a baby girl is born, the family might not seek the same level of medical care for her as they would for a baby boy. Consequently, if she gets sick, she might not receive the prompt treatment she needs, which unfortunately can lead to higher rates of mortality compared to her male counterparts who receive better care.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Gender Preference: The tendency to favor one gender in child upbringing and resources.

  • Infant Mortality Disparity: Higher mortality rates among female infants due to societal neglect.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • In rural India, families may prioritize education for their sons, while daughters receive less support, affecting their future opportunities.

  • Research shows that female children are often less likely to receive medical care compared to male siblings.

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • Boys will stay, girls will go, that’s the thought that many know.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once there was a village where boys were the kings and girls were just pawns in the family game. This led to many girls not receiving the education they deserved, highlighting the need for change.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • BOYS - 'Burden On Your Shoulders' for male children's expectations.

🎯 Super Acronyms

LESS - 'Limited Employment for Social Success' as an indicator of societal imbalance.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Gender Bias

    Definition:

    A preference that favors one gender over another, often manifested in social roles and behaviors.

  • Term: Infant Mortality Rate

    Definition:

    The frequency of deaths of infants within a specified time period.