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China, India Overrun by ... Guys

Sex selection must be addressed, say researchers

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 15, 2011 8:04 AM CDT

(Newser) – Thanks to sex selection, areas of China and India are set to see a 10%-20% excess of males over the next two decades, a study finds. The nations' preference for boys, coupled with the increasing use of ultrasound equipment over the past 20 years, is tipping the scales, reports the Los Angeles Times. Left to nature, some 105 boys are born per 100 girls; in some parts of China it’s become 130 to 100.

While abortion for sex selection is banned in the countries, the rule isn’t much enforced, the Times notes. Birth order is a factor, the study finds: when girls are born first or second, families frequently turn to sex selection to have a boy third. The fallout? More men will have trouble getting married, and violence and psychological issues may climb, the study says. While there’s no way to “reduce the current excess of young males,” researchers note, “much can be done to reduce sex selection now, which will benefit the next generation.”

Men smoke cigarettes Friday April 6, 2007, in Shanghai, China. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

1681931

Mar 16, 2011 2:52 PM CDT

Nmambw. Quite right, pity Abed was not with you, might have spared us your outburst of drivel Any illfortune will be self inflicted,once again, love it!

bananana

Mar 15, 2011 3:18 PM CDT

Also, aside from prostitution, why is monogamy an assumption here, if it obviously won't work? Haven't they heard of sharing? :P From the woman's perspective, why would you put all of your evolutionary eggs in one basket? (so to speak) I find it hard to believe that nature wouldn't come up with the principle of "diversification" on its own. Monogamy's gotta go. We're not swans.

vjh

Mar 15, 2011 2:05 PM CDT

"there’s no way to “reduce the current excess of young males,” researchers note," Sure there is.. Put them to work in the China Mine Industry! In fact many Chinese industries have dreadful worker mortality rates.. A disgrace.

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China, India Overrun by ... Guys

Sex selection must be addressed, say researchers

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

China • abortion • India • men • population • male • sex selection

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More Newser Stories

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Girls find new favor as sex imbalance begins to reverse

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Agni-V test leaves China unruffled

India to Test Missile That Could Hit China

The Agni V has 3,100-mile range

Tibet's New Hero: Man Who Set Self on Fire in India

Unlike self-immolations in China, Jamphel Yeshi's action was well documented

Too Many Skyscrapers Often Spells Doom: Barclays

So look out India and China

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