The Conflict

In the two most populous countries of the world, India and China, attention has lately been drawn to a disturbing trend in which some couples try to ensure male children by means of sex-selective abortion and infanticide. Because of these practices a significant imbalance has been noted in China and India, as well as Korea, Bangladesh, and some other countries. The imbalance will almost certainly mean that millions of young men will never marry, throwing the social structures out of line. Son preference not only disturbs the natural balance, but also reflects and perpetuates the inequality of women.

Political

• In China the government's "one child" policy, aimed to curb the population explosion, probably caused a significant number of couples to abort female fetuses or...