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Journal of Bioethical Inquiry
Published in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry 3/2007

01-12-2007

The Ethics of Birth and Death: Gender Infanticide in India

Author: Renuka M. Sharma

Published in: Journal of Bioethical Inquiry | Issue 3/2007

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Abstract

This paper discusses the persistent devaluation of the girl child in India and the link between the entrenched perception of female valuelessness and the actual practice of infanticide of girl babies or foetuses. It seeks to place female infanticide, or ‘gendercide,’ within the context of Western-derived conceptions of ethics, justice and rights. To date, current ethical theories and internationally purveyed moral frameworks, as well as legal and political declarations, have fallen short of an adequate moral appraisal of infanticide. This paper seeks to rethink the issue.
Footnotes
1
The first Infanticide Act was enacted by the British; modern Indian states began enacting new Acts from 1988.
 
2
An inheritance of woman’s own property that is usually given at the time of marriage but ‘without consideration in marriage,’ unlike dowry – which is in consideration of marriage.
 
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Metadata
Title
The Ethics of Birth and Death: Gender Infanticide in India
Author
Renuka M. Sharma
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Journal of Bioethical Inquiry / Issue 3/2007
Print ISSN: 1176-7529
Electronic ISSN: 1872-4353
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11673-007-9060-7

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