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Female Infanticide in China and India: a Comparative Study
This dissertation, "Female Infanticide in China and a Comparative Study" by Sarah Ann Sparks, Campbell, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author.
ii ABSTRACT
The primary objectives and aims of this dissertation are to explore the causes and issues of female infanticide, and to analyze the reasons behind this practice. It also attempts to understand the continuation of this practice in China and India. China and India are chosen because of their compatibility in terms of history, demography and cultural practices. The issue of female infanticide has also resulted in international interest because of issues pertaining to human rights, moral reasoning and feminism.
This dissertation will explore the cultural and religious beliefs that have contributed largely to the emergence and practice of female infanticide in both countries. In China these are Confucianism and the one child policy, while in India, they are Hinduism, caste, and the dowry system. These factors have also influenced the role and status of women in both cultures resulting in a patriarchy structure that places male above female. Under this belief, the birth of male descendants is important to perpetuate family lines. This creates pressure to produce male heirs, which consequently devalues females in both societies.
I chose this topic initially because I find it very interesting. I also believe that female infanticide is wrong. I do not agree with killing a child because of its gender. I have always believed that if one does not wish to keep their child for any reason that other avenues are available such as adoption. I will also admit that I am a western women writing about different cultures, which although I have experience with, are not mine. All writers have biases, and these were/are mine. However, researching and writing this iii dissertation has been enlightening in many ways. It is one thing to look at an act itself and condemn it, and another entirely to look at the reasons behind the action. This research is an attempt to do the latter, an attempt to examine and ponder the reasons such actions are taken. The final reason I chose this topic is because I believe in education. I hope that anyone who reads or learns about female infanticide from this dissertation will perhaps in some way, however small, become more educated. I truly believe that education has the ability to eradicate social problems in the world including infanticide.
10.5353/th_b2952025
Infanticide - India
Infanticide - China
Sex discrimination against women - China
Sex discrimination against women - India
ii ABSTRACT
The primary objectives and aims of this dissertation are to explore the causes and issues of female infanticide, and to analyze the reasons behind this practice. It also attempts to understand the continuation of this practice in China and India. China and India are chosen because of their compatibility in terms of history, demography and cultural practices. The issue of female infanticide has also resulted in international interest because of issues pertaining to human rights, moral reasoning and feminism.
This dissertation will explore the cultural and religious beliefs that have contributed largely to the emergence and practice of female infanticide in both countries. In China these are Confucianism and the one child policy, while in India, they are Hinduism, caste, and the dowry system. These factors have also influenced the role and status of women in both cultures resulting in a patriarchy structure that places male above female. Under this belief, the birth of male descendants is important to perpetuate family lines. This creates pressure to produce male heirs, which consequently devalues females in both societies.
I chose this topic initially because I find it very interesting. I also believe that female infanticide is wrong. I do not agree with killing a child because of its gender. I have always believed that if one does not wish to keep their child for any reason that other avenues are available such as adoption. I will also admit that I am a western women writing about different cultures, which although I have experience with, are not mine. All writers have biases, and these were/are mine. However, researching and writing this iii dissertation has been enlightening in many ways. It is one thing to look at an act itself and condemn it, and another entirely to look at the reasons behind the action. This research is an attempt to do the latter, an attempt to examine and ponder the reasons such actions are taken. The final reason I chose this topic is because I believe in education. I hope that anyone who reads or learns about female infanticide from this dissertation will perhaps in some way, however small, become more educated. I truly believe that education has the ability to eradicate social problems in the world including infanticide.
10.5353/th_b2952025
Infanticide - India
Infanticide - China
Sex discrimination against women - China
Sex discrimination against women - India
64 pages, Hardcover
Published January 27, 2017
2 people want to read
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