Once, the preference for sons led to the abortion of daughters in what is known as "gendercide," which occurred globally; however, an analysis indicates that this phenomenon is entering a phase of conclusion. The birth sex ratio, which had been notably unbalanced in Asian countries, is distinctly normalizing, marking the end of decades-long son preference.
The British weekly magazine The Economist recently analyzed birth sex ratios in various countries, focusing on the global trend of increased preference for daughters. With the popularization of ultrasound technology allowing early confirmation of a fetus's sex, the abortion of female fetuses has surged in various countries since the 1980s. According to the United Nations, the number of missing female infants due to abortion reached 1.6 million in the birth statistics of 2000. However, the number of aborted female infants has consistently decreased, with this year's figure predicted to drop to around 200,000.
Notable changes are particularly occurring in Asia. China recorded a peak male-to-female birth sex ratio of 117.8 in 2006, but it fell to 109.8 last year. India also improved from 109.6 in 2010 to 106.8 last year, and Korea reverted to a normal range from an unprecedented ratio of 115.7 in 1990. This is explained as a result of the weakening of son preference culture, government policies, and the spread of gender equality education.
The normalization of the sex ratio is interpreted as a positive factor since it is not just a demographic issue but directly related to social stability. In the past, as the number of men unable to find marriage partners due to sex ratio imbalance increased, they were cited as factors contributing to crime and violence. In fact, distorted sex ratios in six Asian countries have shown a tendency to correlate with increased sexual offenses, and this has contributed to the strengthening of public authority in China.
◇Globally, the trend of 'preference for daughters' is due to structural concerns about males
It is noteworthy that beyond the decrease in abortions of female infants, some regions are now showing a phenomenon of 'preference for daughters.' While the birth sex ratio itself has not drastically flipped, this phenomenon is becoming pronounced across various areas, including surveys, adoption, and in vitro fertilization. For example, in Japan, many families wishing to have only one child prefer a daughter, and in the United States and Northern Europe, the attempt to have a second child if the first is a son is notably high.
Experts analyze that the phenomenon of preference for daughters stems from structural concerns about males, rather than the perception that 'daughters are kinder and easier to raise.' According to The Economist, 93% of the inmates in prisons worldwide are male, and male students often lag behind female students in academic achievement. A study published in 2014 by the American Psychological Association analyzed school performance data from 30 countries from 1914 to 2011 and found that over the last century, female students outperformed male students in all subjects.
According to an OECD survey, the higher education attainment rate significantly favors females (54%) over males (41%). While the ratio of male CEOs is high, it is coupled with high unemployment rates, indicating a polarization structure overly represented in the social underclass.
In response, some countries are discussing policies focused on supporting male students. Suggestions include making the enrollment age flexible so that male students start elementary school one year later, increasing the number of male teachers in elementary schools to provide role models for male students, and incorporating more active and practical activities into the curriculum.
◇Experts warn against the emergence of another inequality, emphasizing the need for the integration of culture, technology, and policy
There are points to be cautious about in the process of reconstructing the sex ratio. If society is restructured to favor females, another form of inequality could arise. For instance, in a society with a high female population, some males may gain an advantage in the marriage and dating market and may tend to treat relationships irresponsibly or avoid them. The recent global acceleration of conservatism among men in their 20s is also viewed as a result of men falling behind in a female-centric society.
There is also a growing need to ensure that technological advancements do not lead to male abortions. Cases are already emerging where the sex of the baby is selected in in vitro fertilization or where an abortion decision follows the confirmation of the fetus's sex through early pregnancy blood tests. If gene editing technology becomes commercialized in the future, the selection of a fetus's sex could reemerge in more insidious ways.
Ultimately, experts point out that for the normalization of the sex ratio to sustainably continue without side effects, a balance must be achieved between culture, technology, and policy. Richard V. Reeves, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and director of the American Institute for Boys and Men, stated, "While women's lives have been reshaped through feminism, men's lives have been stagnant. Now, we must also embrace men's issues and move forward."