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  • Title: The girl child and the family.
    Author: Mojumdar M.
    Journal: Yojana; ; 34(16):13-4, 20. PubMed ID: 12285903.
    Abstract:
    The appalling conditions of the Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Sikh female children in India are emphasized. There is systematic neglect and exploitation of girls from birth through death. Dowries are still expected at the time of marriage and for years to come, regardless of the illegality. Within marriage, there is cruelty and insult, and even bride killing, known as dowry death. Parents can be accomplices in permitting the injury to begin or continue with impunity. Patience and tolerance is expected of daughters; the husband is the commanding presence. Spinsterhood is shameful. Suicide is a viable option for widowhood. Over the 40 years of freedom from British rule, antiquated norms and superstitions persist. Fundamentalism in increasing. A daughter is pitied at birth and a mother is blamed. Mothers-in-law are notorious for the blaming. These beliefs occur in spite of scientific evidence that it is the male who carries the chromosome in the sperm for sex determination. A modern practice helps to perpetuate female infanticide: amniocentesis and abortion. When food shortages occur, the pecking order favors males over pregnant women and children. Illiteracy is high among girls, who are kept home and given household chores. Better education is given to males even in middle class homes. Peer pressure and societal attitudes maintain the subservience of females. Orphanages are filled with unwanted female babies. The rape of a girl is considered shameful for life, while the rape of a boy is disregarded as unfortunate and forgotten. Expectations are that boys will be decision makers and girls can cope with domestic matters. The brainwashing to inferiority continues until the son marries and is then perpetuated.
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