Which of the following districts experienced a negative decadal change in Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years)?

AA) Kollam

BB) Kozhikode

CC) Alappuzha

DD) Kannur

Answer:

The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the 0-6 years age group.
It is a crucial demographic indicator reflecting societal attitudes towards female children and potential issues like sex-selective abortions or neglect.
A declining CSR is a matter of serious concern as it indicates a worsening gender imbalance at the foundational level of society.

Decadal change refers to the change observed in a demographic indicator over a period of ten years, typically between two consecutive census operations.
A negative decadal change in CSR means that the number of female children per 1000 male children has decreased from one census period to the next (e.g., from 2001 to 2011).
This decline is alarming as it points towards an increasing bias against girl children over the decade.

According to the Census of India 2011, Alappuzha district experienced a significant negative decadal change in its Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years).
Its CSR declined from 965 in 2001 to 936 in 2011, marking a drop of 29 points, which was one of the steepest declines among Kerala districts.
This decline suggests underlying socio-economic issues or changes in attitudes impacting the preference for or survival of female children in the district during that decade.

Kerala is well-known for its high overall sex ratio (number of females per 1000 males in the total population), which stood at 1084 in 2011, the highest in India.
However, despite its impressive overall sex ratio and high literacy rates, Kerala has shown a worrying trend of declining Child Sex Ratio.
The state's CSR declined from 960 in 2001 to 959 in 2011, indicating a slight overall decrease.
This paradox, where overall sex ratio is high but child sex ratio is declining, highlights the complex nature of gender dynamics even in socially progressive states.

Several factors can contribute to a declining CSR, including:
- Son preference: A continued cultural preference for male children.
- Sex-selective abortions: Misuse of prenatal diagnostic techniques to determine and abort female fetuses.
- Smaller family sizes: With fewer children, the pressure to have at least one male child increases, sometimes leading to sex-selective practices.
- Lack of awareness/enforcement: Inadequate awareness campaigns or weak enforcement of laws prohibiting sex-selective practices.

Census 2011: The national Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) in India was 919.
Kerala's CSR (0-6 years) in 2011: 959.
Among Kerala districts in 2011, Idukki had the highest Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) at 976, while Kasaragod had the lowest at 934.
The Government of India launched the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme in 2015 to address the issue of declining CSR and promote the education of girl children.

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