India Bans Abortion Of Female Fetuses

India has banned abortions of healthy female fetuses, an attempt at eliminating the widespread practice of aborting female fetuses in this male-dominated culture.

The law took effect Jan. 1.

Between 1981 and 1991, the number of females per 1,000 males declined from 934 to 929.

Most Indian families prefer sons because they bring parents wealth in the form of dowry. In Hindu families, sons inherit family wealth and light their parents’ funeral pyre, opening the way for their souls to go to heaven.