Oönskade Döttrar - Traditionella mönster i ett modernt samhälle

Sammanfattning: Due to traditional beliefs about biological differences between the sexes, the sex ratio is abnormally uneven in northern parts of India. There is a combination of old methods like female infanticide and new technologies, which make selective abortion possible. The strong practices of dowry transform daughters to economical burdens to their parents. They face mortal danger before, at and after birth. With rapid economical progress and advanced technology, India is a country in progress. The usual assumption is that education and modernity leads to rejection of old beliefs and higher equality between the sexes. Looking at the statistics, which still show higher mortality rates and less medical attention for girls than for boys, the case of northern India makes it necessary to reassess. The purpose of this paper is to examine if an, apparently obsolete tradition can coexist with modernity. Traditions are often understood to be static and homogeneous and they are usually contrasted with modernity. The argument of this paper is that the two conceptions do not necessarily have to be interpreted in this way. The empirical example of my argument is northern India because here, daughters still can not substitute for sons and the discrimination of them is extremely visible. It is occurring along with more women getting educated and having an income. My ambition is to explain how this is possible.