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REASONS OF SON PREFERENCE IN SOUTH ASIA

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REASONS OF SON PREFERENCE IN

SOUTH ASIA

 

Hello Folks!

Have you ever wondered why some people have an inkling towards sons as compared to daughters? I know it hurts. So today, I have decided to throw some light on some of the reasons for son preference in South Asia.

In most developing countries, parents have a preference for sons over daughters. This is known as Son’s Preference. The birth of a son is welcomed with celebration as an asset. Whereas a girl is seen as a liability, an economic drain.

According to an Asian proverb,” bringing up girls is like watering a neighbor’s garden”. Most societies show some degree of preference to sons though it is virtually undetectable. However, it has a very strong hold in East and South Asia and can be seen as a result of female mortality.

Let’s have a birds-eye view regarding the reasons for son preference. So let’s start.

The first reason for son preference is Economic reasons. The sons are perceived to have a higher net value as they can help on farms, provide support in old age, and offer economic help.

Whereas daughters have much less to offer and are believed to be an economic drain on the family. Factors that control this issue are poverty, dowry, and the need for support in old age.

In South Asia, the participation of women in the labor force is not only underestimated but they are also paid less thus increasing son preference.

Research indicates that this practice of discrimination is more common among the poor as compared to the rich. The hypothesis being that sharper resource constraint forces the poor to allocate more resources to the valued males.

In India, it has been revealed that the higher castes have more unbalance,sex ratios as compared to the lower castes.

Wars, famines raise the ratio of discrimination. People impoverished by crop failure, stress, loans,and poverty discriminate more heavily against girls.

The second reason for son preference is religious reasons. Religion too can at times lead to Gender discrimination. The sons perform religious duties. Islam is a moderate religion and has given many rights to women.

Yet, the role and position of a man are superior in Islam. The laws of inheritance, laws of Evidence, the Hudood Laws all indicate this fact.

Men in Pakistani society are allowed to participate in the Namaz-e- Janazah of an individual. This gives rise to the desire of having a son who will shoulder the Janazah of the parents. This practice applies to the Muslims in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh.

In India, all religious duties are performed by males. The burning of the deceased is also carried out by the firstborn son. Therefore religion plays a predominant role in son preference in South Asia.

The third reason for son preference in South Asia is Social reasons. The social position of women in the household in many families is of a vessel of procreation and the contribution to a domestic worker.

The value of the daughter who is added to the husband’s family is always considered low to the parents. Though an adult woman has a great deal of hight value. Although the living condition of adult women has improved yet the female mortality is at high risk as parents want sons.

Thus the social pressure for having a son is immense on the childbearing women. A young women’s standing in the husband’s family is mainly as the mother of future men of the family. It is common for a woman to be mistreated if she doesn’t bear a son.

The husband might take to drinking or womanizing and parents might stress on a second marriage for a son. For women, there is always a fear of rejection and ill-treatment at the hands of the husband and his family for not bearing a son. And even the fear of the woman that the second wife may bear a son for her husband.

For husbands/men, they have social pressures as well.  As it is a problem of lineage and the fear of being unattended in religious rituals. There is a public humiliation as well for men who don’t have a son.

It is believed in many families that by having a son, the man has fulfilled his critical role in social reproduction.

The fourth reason for son’s preference is a cultural reason. In South Asia, there is a kinship system that is rigidly patrilineal. This means that the main assets are passed on to the sons while daughters are given movable items in the form of dowry or inheritance.

So, if a man does not have a son, he has to adopt one from the male kins or take another wife. The main drive behind this is to keep the family line intact. This kinship system is at the root of discrimination against daughters.

In other words, men constitute the social order where women are only means to reproduction. The child acquires the name, and identity of the father. Men are the fixed points and women are the moving points because lineages are strictly exogamous.

However, in South Asia, there are bilateral kinship systems where relationships through both males and females are recognized and women are freer to maintain a mutually supportive relationship with their parents after marriage.

Therefore, the less rigid construction of gender in kinship in South Asia makes it easier for women to act as independent social and legal entities in some families.

Lastly, the emotional desire and norms are there to add to the son’s preference in South Asia. The norms dictate that the daughters are supposed to get married and leave their parent’s house. There is little room for girls at her birth’s place.

They are merely treated as guests when they come to visit her parent’s place. Due to social pressures, parents are burdened to marry them off.

In the end, I would like to say that now forces of change can be seen at a subtle level due to urbanization, industrialization, and due to the role, the media is playing. However, there is a dire need for policies and strategies to give more value to the girls.

Fortunately, much can be done to accelerate the process of reducing the son’s preference through legislation, social movements, and mass media. Think about it. Until next time, stay safe and healthy.

Happy Reading!

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PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN AT SCHOOL PART -I

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PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN AT SCHOOL PART-I

(BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES)

Hello Folks!

Life is simple yet it can become complicated at times especially when children /teens face school problems. Today, I aim at talking about school problems that children face. So let’s start.

School is said to be the next lap after a mother’s lap but unfortunately, many schools fail to provide that safe lap as compared to a mother’s lap. The moment a child enters a school he/she is exposed to the external world.

The first shock that a child receives is the difference between reality and what he/she is told right from the beginning about schools. All the dreams start shattering as children start realizing the reality of school.

The second problem that children face is the difficulty in making friends. Every child is coming from a different background and schools might not be well equipped to make every child apt to the environment or make them feel less miserable than they already are.

The third problem that children face is the problem of bullying. Every child is not a born leader or may not have the strength to stand up for themselves. Here, too, the administration seems to fail desperately in acknowledging and resolving the problems of bullying.

There are very few institutions in Pakistan that have zero tolerance towards bullying. Others are benefitting from them. They are enjoying this benefit in the name of clientele.

The fourth problem the children face in schools is Nepotism. It is rarely seen that a staff child may be of outstanding caliber as compared to other children. Although exceptions are always there.

But most of the time, a faculty staff-child is given the undue privilege as compared to a hard-working student. This attitude of the school administration devoids the confidence of a hard-working student for life. For he/she knows in that particular system, he/she cannot excel with the lot.

The fifth problem children face in schools is regarding grouping. The groups in school gain the favour of certain faculty staff and enjoy benefits whereas others are at a disadvantage. This attitude is mostly witnessed at the time of school elections and other co-curricular activities.

The need of the time is to have fair and accountable elections if a scenario arises.

The sixth problem children face in schools is regarding the food provided in the canteen. Most of the food is junk which altogether is injurious for the health of any child. There should be a balance between the foods served in the school keeping in view the dietary habits of every child. Plus a separate canteen is needed for the junior and senior level.

The seventh problem that children face in schools is regarding the mixing of young and old boys, especially at off times. Mostly the transport areas are the most neglected areas where young children can become easy prey to older children not to mention the van drivers.

The eighth problem that children face in schools is regarding settlements issue. Most of the times the faculty is not trained according to the requirement of a specific child’s need. Every school requires the services of trained counsellors who knows his/her job and can guide the children accordingly.

And lastly, every child needs a conducive environment to excel in life. If there is no or less conducive environment for the development of a child then we are looking in for trouble. The impact may be deep and take another few years to bring the child back to normal again. Think about it. Until next time, stay safe and healthy.

Happy Reading.

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TAKE A BREAK

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TAKE A BREAK

Hello Folks!

In our day to day schedules, have you ever yearned of taking a day off?/taking a break. And then thinking about the chores to do simply have dropped the idea. Well, here I am today to discuss with you a few tips on having both the pleasures of work and fun.

Firstly, you need to understand that work and taking a break can both work side by side. You must be wondering, How is that possible? Well, nothing is impossible if you ask me. It’s all about time management.

Think about the daily hours you have in a day. Make a list of things that you do on that particular day. Now, start allocating time for each task. You will be surprised to see how much spare time you have in a day.

Secondly, allocate an ample amount of time for the things you love to do. Make it a habit to follow it consistently. When you keep on doing the thing, it will become a habit.

Thirdly, you can take a break by engaging yourself in some form of meditation. It will not only improve your concentration levels but will also give you utter satisfaction.

Fourthly, working and sitting all day long will turn most of us into potatoes and if you are a fitness freak, you won’t want people to call you a potato once normal situation prevails outside. So time to get up and do some walking.

Fifthly, Health is wealth. Besides, walking,  a healthy diet too will prevent you from gaining extra weight and develop unknown diseases. Take a break and go to the kitchen and make some interesting yet healthy food.

Sixth, after working for a couple of hours, you can distract yourself by picking up your phone and chatting a little with your friends, family, and people who are your well-wishers. However, you should have the time in front of you so you don’t overdo it.

Seventh, while working, you can do certain stretches while sitting in your work chair or bed or any other place of comfort. Just 5 to 10-minute stretches will do the trick.

Eighth, sometimes it’s better to change your position. You can stand up and do your work. It will save you from a lot of backache problems in the future.

Ninth, whenever you have time, take a power nap. It always helps. Or you can take out some puzzles or crosswords or mind teasers. You will feel like a new being altogether.

Lastly, take out some time and enjoy nature. The hustling sound of the trees, the whispering of the wind, the melodious chirping of the birds, and the changing skies are all forms that positively elevate the mood.

In the end, I would like to say that sometimes it’s best not to do anything at all or doing everything but in small quantities without damaging oneself.

To be happy in life, live in the present without worrying about the future. Accept and be grateful for what you have. And think about those whose lives you are affecting through the contribution you are making either consciously or unconsciously.

Think about it. Life is too short to be unhappy. Spread smiles along the way and be a beacon of communication to all.

Until next time, stay safe and healthy.

Happy Reading!

 

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