Gender Imbalance in China
Asia Society recently featured a post by Alexandra Harney, referencing an article in the International Herald Tribune entitled, "The Plight of China's Favored Sons."
Dudley Poston, a professor of sociology at Texas A&M University, states that there are 40 million Chinese men alive today who will likely never have a wife. The ratio of boys to girls born is normally between 104 and 107 boys for every 100 girls. In China, the ratio is 120 boys to 100 girls, and in rural areas, the number rises to 145 boys to 100 girls. Most of the difference is due to sex selection as a result of the one-child policy, involving ultrasound screening to determine the sex of the fetus, followed by abortion of the females.
The "marriage squeeze" occurs when the number of men greatly outnumbers the number of women. Women subsequently become more selective, preferring men with higher incomes and property. The article suggests that men may subsequently work harder, go on strike, or resort to crime to earn more money. There is also concern that this abnormal ratio may result in increased trafficking of girls and forced marriages, as well as increasing rates of HIV in "bachelor ghettos" in big cities.
Comments
I saw a documentary on HBO
I saw a documentary on HBO about a year ago about this same issue. It talked a lot about sex trafficking and kidnapping of girls into forced marriages with Chinese men. So sad, and horrific to learn about the result of gender selection in China.
Hi Tracey,
It's so sad. Gender selection is now illegal in China, but it still continues.
It is rather sad. I don't
It is rather sad. I don't think these parents think uh....
Hi Savvy gal,
You're right--many parents only want to have a son in order to provide for them in their old age, but they don't realize the problems that can occur if everyone else does the same thing.
Studies have shown that
Studies have shown that DAUGHTERS are more likely to support parents in their old age, far more than sons. Whenever we see news about problems caused by the gender imbalance in China, my mother just says "HUO GAI". All the problems are self inflected, so they should suffer the consequences.
Of course, my mother was also terrified of my sister and I traveling in rural communities for community service, afraid of us being kidnapped into marriages. More so when we were younger though.
Hi jade_mushroom,
That's very interesting--I wonder if the general population knows that daughters are more likely to support their elderly parents than sons. I guess times have really changed.
well, there is more gender
well, there is more gender selection FOR girls in people of the highest income and education levels. I found this data for USA, Taiwan, HK and India; I dunno if there is data for this in China.
Such irony...everyone wanted
Such irony...everyone wanted sons so now when they grow up they can't find wives to produce more sons.
Hi Bicultural Mama,
So true!
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