The Social Returns of Ending Son Bias
Reducing pre- and postnatal sex selection, curbing the preferential treatment of boys, and addressing parents’ underinvestment in daughters requires increased spending on public education for girls. Bangladesh offers an example of the long-term benefits of such an approach.
KUALA LUMPUR/LONDON/VENICE/CANTERBURY – In much of emerging Asia, persistent bias in favor of sons remains a barrier to girls’ life prospects – and often to life itself. Pre- and postnatal sex selection, including abortion and infanticide, have led to significant demographic imbalances.