Prenatal Sex-Selection against Females in England and Wales

Sylvie Dubuc, University of Oxford

Son-preference resulting in prenatal sex selection is well documented in China, India and South Korea and more recently other Asian Countries. A study based on births registration in England and Wales (Dubuc and Coleman, 2007) has evidenced a strong increase in the sex-ratio at birth to India-born women in England and Wales since the 1990s to 2005, especially occurring at higher birth orders (mirroring findings in India). In recent years, accumulating evidence of gender imbalances at birth among Asian diasporas in the USA, Canada and Greece indicates more widespread PNSS within Asian diasporas. Results from Dubuc and Coleman (2007) are updated up to 2008 to analyze the most recent trends and test for potential significant change (e.g. stabilization, reversal trend). Results are discussed in the context of the ethical debate and underlying factors of son-preference (e.g patri-lineal rules, pressure on women to bear a son and women’s autonomy of choice).