PRE-ASSESSMENT OF PRESELECTION OF THE SEX OF CHILDREN: THE DEMOGRAPHIC ASPECT

• Published in: Genus 1984-07, Vol.40 (3/4), p.5-23
• Main Authors: MUHSAM, HELMUT VICTOR, MUSHAM, HELMUT V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biology; Children; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Daughters; Demography; Diagnosis; Family structure; Fertility; Marriage; Masculinity; Models, Theoretical; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Reproduction; Reproductive Techniques; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Sex Preselection; Sex Ratio; Socioeconomic Factors; Sons; Women
• ISSN: 0016-6987; 2035-5556

There is no doubt that, sooner or later, every couple will enjoy the freedom of choice with regard to the sex of their children. But the implications and the ultimate consequences of this freedom are unknown. It may be remembered that just before the IUD and the pill became available, Coale and Hoover seemed to have proved that the reduction of fertility would be highly beneficial, at least to the developing countries. It would therefore be most desirable to assess the eventual consequences of the preselection of the sex of children, before the means is offered to interested couples. To pre-assess these consequences, replies to the following seven questions are required: E'certo che, presto o tardi, ogni coppia potrà scegliere liberamente il sesso dei figli. Non conosciamo, tuttavia, le conseguenze più lontane di questa libertà. Ricordiamo che giusto prima dell'invenzione della pillola e dello sterilet, Coale e Hoover sembrarono aver provato che la riduzione della natalità apportasse un beneficio, almeno ai paesi del terzo mondo. Sarebbe quindi desiderabile conoscere le eventuali conseguenze della scelta del sesso dei figli prima che i mezzi lo consentano. Per prevedere tali conseguenze, abbiamo bisogno di conoscere le risposte alle seguenti domande: Il est certain que, tôt ou tard, tout couple jouira de la liberté du choix du sexe de ses enfants. Mais nous ignorons les conséquences ultimes de cette liberté. Rappellons que juste avant l'invention de la pilule et du stérilet, Coale et Hoover semblèrent avoir prouvé que la réduction de la natalité apporterait un bénéfice, au moins au pays du Tiers Monde. Il serait donc bien désirable de connaître les éventualles conséquences du choix du sexe des enfants avant que le moyen en serait disponible. Pour prévoir ces conséquences, nous avans besoin des réponses sur 7 questions: