INTRODUCTION

The sex ratio is calculated as the number of males per one hundred females in a population globally, whereas in India it is defined as number of females per 1000 males. (Sachdeva and Ray, 2018). The census 2011 and the new news reports information show a bleak segment picture of declining female to male proportions. Shockingly the most influenced states are reformist states like Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Gujarat. (Bano et al., 2021). The Census 2011 states that as a national average, the sex ratio for every 1000 males was 914 females, compared to 927 females per 1000 males in 2001. India has one of the highest female feticide incidents in the world. (Sowmya and Sreelatha, 2018). This indicates that female foeticide is on the rise in society. It is reported that about 4,000 female babies are aborted in Tamil Nadu (southern India) every year. (Zonunsiami et al., 2017). Female foeticide is considered a criminal offence in India. (Khatkar, 2018). The Indian census data suggest that there is a positive correlation between abnormal sex ratio and better socioeconomic status and literacy. (Tejeshwari, 2019). In a patriarchal society in India, the preference for a son to a daughter is well known, but female foeticide in the womb is a terrible practice that is still prevalent in this era. (Mann, 2016). The United Nations’ unofficial calculations stated that ‘‘200 million females are missing in the world; women who should have been born and grown up, were killed by infanticide or selective abortion. (Shah et al., 2018). Indian sayings (Tamil probe) such as, “Bringing up a girl is like watering a neighbour’s plant,” and “The girl who has married is like the spittle which has been spat out, and no longer belongs to the parents,” exemplify the feeling of wasted expenditure on raising a daughter (Sashi, 2021).  female feticide is quite prevalent in India, but its form of action has changed. (Anuradha et al., 2016). Usage of prenatal sex determination tests have rather become a curse for female foetuses of india and hidden practice of female infanticide shifted towards aborting female foetuses. (Drshrivastava and Chaudhry, 2015). The latest advances in modern medical sciences - the tests like amniocentesis, chronic villus sampling and ultrasonography, which were originally designed for the detection of gender related congenital abnormality of the foetus are now being abused particularly in India and Asian countries primarily to detect the sex of the foetus. (Davara et al., 2014). The female population equals or slightly surpasses the number of males in general. (Naikwade and Phatak, 2013).

The declining number of females in a society may lead to an increase in sexual abuse and social crimes against women, such as: rape, abduction and bride selling which will disturb the social fibre of the society and the value systems. Also, due to female foeticide women may have to bear repeated pregnancies and forced abortions. (Kanyadi and Kulkarni, 2017). They are a peerless pair being complementary to one another; each helps the other, not that without the one, the existence of the other cannot be conceived; and, therefore, it follows as a necessary result from these facts that anything that will impair the status of either of them will involve the equal ruin of both. (Srivastava, 2014). Killing girl child in the womb of mother is known as female feticide and is very common in Asian countries like India. Everyday there is news in the newspaper or on the TV that a new born girl is found in dustbin or garbage. (Mehta et al., 2017). Sir Jonathan Duncan in 1979 produced the first scientific evidence of the age old killing of female child in India. (Kaur and Sachdeva, 2017). In India, a women’s status is associated not only with her reproductive capability but also on her success in delivering a male child, which enhances women’s will to give birth to a male child. (Choudhary, 2014). The male child preference is invariably expressed in various forms of female foeticide and infanticide subsequent to the misuse of sonography for prenatal sex determination. (Nawal et al., 2011). Easy approach to progressive science and technology has also been one of the causes of female foeticide. (Kushwaha and Sharma, 2014). The PreConception and PreNatal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act formulated in 1994 was amended, effectively implemented in 2003, and strictly amended in 2011. The Act prohibits sex determination of foetus during pregnancy (Kaushal et al., 2020). Particularly in India, the preference for a son is very strong and pervasive, and it has been frequently cited as one of the major obstacles in the way of reducing the national fertility level. (Balgir and Singh, 2019).  “Female foeticide remains the gravest of all issues concerning women, every night in a hospital a girl child is aborted in silence.” (Devi et al., 2014). They want to keep property in the family because boys have traditionally inherited the wealth, people want boys. (Koradia et al., 2013). India is a secular, democratic and a republic country with population of 1.2 billion. India being a patriarchal manner of society, it should come as no surprise for practice of female feticide. Custom of female feticide exists in all types of social order. (Ramesh et al., 2016).

Period from adolescence to middle age is termed as youth. Age constitutes the determining characteristics in the definition of youth by various agencies. United Nation adopted the age group 15 to 24 for defining youth. The National youth policy initially (in 2003) defining the youth as in the age group 13 to 35. However, National youth policy, 2014 modified it and defining ‘youth’ as persons in the age group of 15 to 29 years. In the present report, we have adopted 15 to 34 years as youth as adopted in the earlier report in order to show trend and changes over long period of time (Social Statistics Division GOI, 2017). As per Indian census 2011, youth constitute one fifth of India’s total population who would be the future mothers and fathers. Youth are at a stage where they could be moulded, influenced and also, they can spread the awareness against female foeticide. Thus, the study was aimed to assess the awareness of rural and urban youth towards female foeticide and to find out the relationship of socio-economic characteristics of respondents with their awareness regarding female foeticide. 

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India during November 2019 – May 2020 under the college of Home Science, Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Rajasthan, India. According to the nature of the study rural and urban area of Bikaner district was selected for the study. In rural locale, there was seven panchayat samities in Bikaner district. These were namely- Bikaner, Lunkaransar, Sridungargarh, Khajuwala, Kolayat, Nokha and Panchu. Out of them two panchayat samiti were selected on the basis of highest sex ratio i.e. Sridungargarh and lowest sex ratio i.e. Kolayat. In urban locale, Bikaner city was divided into two zone i.e., east, and west. Out of them one ward was selected randomly from each zone i.e., ward number 60 was from east zone and ward number 44 was from west zone. A total of 200 respondents were selected for the study purpose. The sample size constitutes 100 rural youth (50 girls + 50 boys) and 100 urban youth (50 girls + 50 boys). The questionnaire was used to collect required information from the respondents. After collection the data from 200 respondents, they were transferred to work table and tally sheet than processed, analyzed and subjected to randomly selected by chit method. The data were interpreted in the light of the objectives of the study. Frequency, percentage, mean score, ranks and standard deviation were used to assess the respondent’s awareness.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1.  Awareness of respondents towards female foeticide

The result in table 1 indicated that the cent percent of the respondents  knew about the meaning of female foeticide, sex of the foetus determined before birth, female foeticide affects the society and repetitive abortion hazardous to health of the female and these ranked first place with mean score 1.0 followed by 96.5% of the respondents knew about female foeticide takes place in India, 90.5% the better education of women would improve the situation of female foeticide, 90% heard the term sex ratio, 69.5% were aware about the method of sex determination, 59.5% sex ratio of Bikaner was imbalanced ranked at second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth with mean score 0.97, 0.91, 0.90, 0.70 and 0.60 respectively. It also shows that 57.5% of the respondents were heard about declining sex ratio ranked at seventh with mean score 0.58, followed by 53% both mother and father was responsible, 52.5% work of women organization was effective for stop female foeticide, 45.5% sex ratio of lowest age group (0-6 year) of Bikaner ranked eighth and ninth with mean score 0.53, 0.53 and 0.46 respectively. Further it could be perceived that 39.5% of the respondents in which month the sex of the foetus could be determined ranked at tenth with mean score 0.40, followed by equal number of the respondents (25%) knew about overall sex ratio of Rajasthan and father was responsible for the sex of the child, 22% mother was responsible and only 14.5% of the respondents were aware about law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act these ranked at eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth with mean score 0.25, 0.22 and 0.15 respectively. These results was supported by Langde et al. (2016) stated that most of the respondents (95%) were heard about female foeticide.

Table 1: Distribution of the respondents according to awareness about female foeticide

3.2.  Awareness of rural and urban respondents towards female foeticide

The result in table 2 showed that in case of boys that cent percent of the rural boys knew about the meaning of female foeticide, sex of the foetus  determined before birth, female foeticide affects the society and repetitive abortion  hazardous to health of the female followed by 94% knew about female foeticide takes place in India, 82% heard the term sex ratio, 78% the better education of women would improve the situation of female foeticide, 62% aware method of sex determination and 58% of the rural boys heard about declining sex ratio whereas percentage of the urban boys knew about the meaning of female foeticide, female foeticide takes place in India, sex of the foetus  determined before birth, female foeticide affects the society and repetitive abortion  hazardous to health of the female followed by 98% heard the term sex ratio, 94% the better education of women would improve the situation of female foeticide, 88% sex ratio of Bikaner was imbalanced and 76% heard about declining sex ratio. It perceived that 54% of the rural boys were aware about sex ratio of Bikaner was imbalanced followed by 50% both mother and father are responsible for the sex of the child, equal number 46% of rural boys knew about sex ratio of lowest age group (0-6 year) of Bikaner and work of women organization  effective for stop female foeticide, 36% in which month the sex of the foetus  determined, 26% father  responsible for the sex of the child, 24% mother  responsible for the sex of the child, 22% overall sex ratio of Rajasthan and only 10% of the respondents were aware about law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act while 72% of the urban boys aware about the method of sex determination followed by equal number 64% of urban boys were aware about  work of women organization is effective for stop female foeticide and both mother and father  responsible for the sex of the child, 52% sex ratio of lowest age group (0-6 year) of Bikaner, 40% overall sex ratio of Rajasthan, 34% in which month the sex of the foetus determined, 20% father  responsible and only 12% of the respondents were aware about law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act.

Table 2: Distribution of rural and urban respondents according to awareness about female foeticide

In case of rural girls cent% of the girls knew about meaning of female foeticide, sex of the foetus  determined before birth, female foeticide affects the society and repetitive abortion  hazardous to health of the female followed by equal number 92% of rural girls were aware about  female foeticide takes place in India and the better education of women would improve the situation of female foeticide, 84% heard the term sex ratio, 66% aware about the method of sex determination, 48% in which month the sex of the foetus  determined, 42% work of women organization  effective for stop female foeticide, equal number 40% of rural girls were aware about sex ratio of Bikaner  imbalanced and both mother and father  responsible for the sex of the child whereas cent percent of the urban girls were knew about the meaning of female foeticide, female foeticide takes place in India, sex of the foetus  determined before birth, female foeticide affects the society and repetitive abortion  hazardous to health of the female followed by 98% the better education of women  improve the situation of female foeticide, 96% heard the term sex ratio, 78% aware about the method of sex determination, 62% heard about declining sex ratio, equal number 58% of urban girls were aware about work of women organization  effective for stop female foeticide and both mother and father  responsible for the sex of the child, 56% sex ratio of Bikaner  imbalanced and 46% of the urban girls were knew about sex ratio of lowest age group (0-6 year) of Bikaner. Further it perceived that 38% of the rural girls were aware about sex ratio of lowest age group (0-6 year) of Bikaner, followed by 34% heard about declining sex ratio, 32% father  responsible for the sex of the child, 28% mother  responsible for the sex of the child, 16% law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act and only 10% of the girls were aware about the overall sex ratio of Rajasthan while 40% of the urban girls were aware about in which month the sex of the foetus  determined followed by 28% overall sex ratio of Rajasthan, 22% father  responsible for the sex of the child, equal number 20% of urban girls felt that mother  responsible for the sex of the child and aware about law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act. These results was supported by the results of Gandhi Illa (2011). These findings reveal that level of knowledge was higher in urban women than rural women.

3.3. Overall awareness of the respondents about female foeticide

To get an overview of awareness level, the respondents had classified under low, medium and high awareness level about female foeticide on the basis of calculated mean score and standard deviation of the obtained awareness score of the respondents.

Table 3 showed that 64% of the respondents had medium awareness level, while 21 and 15% of the respondents had low and high level of awareness about female foeticide. It is evident from above data that the majority of the respondents (64%) had medium level of awareness about female foeticide. This might be due to the reason that higher mass media exposure. Kaushal, et al. (2020) found thatthe Killing of foetus was known to 84% of female respondents. Only 24.5% were aware about law related to abortion and prenatal sex determination. Vadera et al. (2011) concluded that 54.4% women were aware about the consequences of female feticide. These findings concluded that majority of the respondents (54.4%) had medium level of awareness about female foeticide.

Table 3: Distribution of the respondents according to their overall awareness about female foeticide

3.4.  Coefficient of correlation between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents with their awareness

3.4.1.  Age

The data showed in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.388**) at 0.01 percent level of significance was found positive and highly significant. It showed that there was highly significant relationship between age and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys were found positive and highly significant correlation (0.445**) and Urban boys was also positive and significant correlation (0.360*). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.057^NS) and urban girls were found positive and highly significant correlation (0.583^**).

Table 4: Relationship of socio-economic characteristics of respondents with their awareness

3.4.2. Caste

The data showed in Table 4  that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (-0.038^NS) was found negative and non-significant. It showed that there was no significant relationship between caste and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.105^NS) and Urban boys was also negative and non-significant correlation (-0.067^NS). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.035^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.016^NS). Aishwarya and Archana (2010) results indicated that caste had positive and significant association with awareness of rural and urban respondents about female feticide.

3.4.3. Education

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.476**) at 0.01 percent level of significance was found positive and highly significant. It indicates that there was highly significant relationship between education and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and highly significant correlation (0.525**) and Urban boys was also positive and highly significant correlation (0.519**). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.025^NS) and urban girls was found positive and highly significant correlation (0.564**). Dixit and Jain (2016) studied that there was significant difference in association in gender preference and awareness about female feticide between rural and urban women and their educational status. He showed that there was significant difference in association due to level of education of women on knowledge about prenatal sex determination (p<0.001) and female feticide (p<0.001). 

3.4.4. Family size

The data showed in Table 4  that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (-0.152^*) at 0.05 percent level of significance was found negative and significant. It shows that there was significant relationship between family size and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.003^NS) and Urban boys was also negative and non-significant correlation (-0.199^NS). Rural girls were found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.121^NS) and urban girls was found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.120^NS). Shewte and Andurkar (2013) found that inverse relationship was found between socioeconomic status and child sex ratio.

3.4.5. Family type

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (-0.069^NS) was found negative and non-significant. It shows that there was non-significant relationship between family type and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.158^NS) and Urban boys was also negative and non-significant correlation (-0.141^NS). Rural girls were found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.137^NS) and urban girls was found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.111^NS).

3.4.6. Marital status

The data showed in Table 4 revealed that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (-0.316**) at 0.01 percent level of significance was found negative and highly significant. It indicates that there was highly significant relationship between marital status and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found negative and highly significant correlation (-0.451**) and Urban boys was also negative and highly significant correlation (-0.533**). Rural girls were found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.102^NS) and urban girls was found negative and highly significant correlation (-0.453**). Zonunsiami et al. (2017) found that there was a significant association between family income (p=0.013) of the unmarried women on gender preference. There was a significant association between previous knowledge about female feticide (p=0.008) and source of information about female feticide (p=0.020) of the unmarried women on female feticide.

3.4.7. Land holding

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.010^NS) was found positive and non-significant. It showed that there was non-significant relationship between land holding and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.026^NS) and Urban boys was also negative and non-significant correlation (-0.041^NS). Rural girls were found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.011^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.253^NS).

3.4.8. Annual income

The data presented in Table 4 showed that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.071^NS) was found positive and non-significant. It showed that there was non-significant relationship between annual income and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.089^NS) and Urban boys was also negative and non-significant correlation (-0.154^NS). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.034^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.048^NS).

3.4.9. Mass media exposure

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.294**) at 0.01 percent level of significance was found positive and highly significant. It showed that there was highly significant relationship between mass media exposure and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found positive and significant correlation (0.314*) and Urban boys was also positive and significant correlation (0.305*). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.058^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.125^NS). Aishwarya and Archana (2010) results indicated that mass media exposure and socio economic status had positive and significant association with awareness of rural and urban respondents about female feticide.

3.4.10. Source of information

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.043^NS) was found positive and non-significant. It showed that there was non-significant relationship between source of information and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.128^NS) while Urban boys was positive and significant correlation (0.358^*). Rural girls were found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.049^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.054^NS).

3.4.11. Training programme attended

The data presented in Table 4 indicated that the awareness of calculated value of correlation coefficient (0.135^NS) was found positive and non-significant. It showed that there was non-significant relationship between training programme attended and level of awareness regarding female foeticide. Awareness of rural boys was found negative and non-significant correlation (-0.103^NS) while Urban boys was positive and non-significant correlation (0.266^NS). Rural girls were found positive and non-significant correlation (0.242^NS) and urban girls was found positive and non-significant correlation (0.046^NS). Devi et al. (2014) studied that he computed r value (0.266) indicated that positive correlation between the pretest knowledge scores and attitude scores was significant at 0.05 levels.

CONCLUSION

All urban and rural respondents knew about the meaning of female foeticide whereas maximum number of both urban and rural respondents had least awareness about law related to PC- PNDT and MTP Act. Overall awareness category majority of the respondents influenced medium level of awareness about female foeticide. Age, education and mass media exposure presented positive and highly significant correlation with the awareness level of female foeticide. Marital status showed negative and highly significant correlation with awareness. Family size showed negative and significant correlation with awareness.

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