Hinduism - What Is The Preferential Treatment And Favorable Bias Towards Sons Prevalent In Hindu Societies?

 


It's impossible to overestimate the significance of boys in traditional Hindu society, as well as the societal preference for males over girls.

One key reason for this prejudice is because only sons are allowed to make shraddhas, or memorial offerings for the deceased.

Each generation's males are in charge of making these sacrifices to their forefathers.

They are obligated to produce sons of their own in order to maintain the family lineage and the chain of ancestral sacrifices across generations.

Couples that are without a son are not wholly without hope, since boys may be gained via adoption.

The second significant reason for the desire for sons is based on considerably more practical considerations.

Daughters go into their marital houses and become members of their marital fami lies, whilst sons bring their brides into the household and perpetuate the family line via their own fami lies, according to the traditional Indian marriage pattern.

As a result, some parents consider their girls to be "temporary" family members while their boys are "permanent." The boys will remain in their ancestral home for the rest of their life, supporting their parents in their old age and producing future generations for the family.

Although the forces of modernity have had an impact on the joint family, these ancient traditions and values are still quite strong.

Husbands and wives are increasingly choosing to live apart from their husband's parents.

The theological, economic, and societal elements that underpin this predilection for sons have had disastrous consequences in the past.

In many ways, males may be preferred over girls, whether intentionally or subconsciously.

Because males are typically expected to support their families, sons are frequently given preferential treatment in terms of education and economic possibilities.

Traditional Hindu inheritance rules, which give sons a substantially bigger part of the inheritance, are based on a similar assumption.

In impoverished homes, boys may even be given first priority for basic requirements like food and medical treatment.

Despite these trends, many families nowadays treat all of their children equally with love and attention.

Because of the tendency toward fewer families, the birth of a girl may be just as exciting as the birth of a boy.

~Kiran Atma


You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.

Be sure to check out my writings on religion here.