Origins of infanticide

Infanticide occurs in most cases as a way of restricting poverty and population. Throughout history infanticide has been regarded as a productive and efficient way to control starvation and poor standards of living caused by over population.

Confucianism

The male bias in China is deeply rooted in Chinese traditions which leads parents to want their first child to be a boy.

Confucianism regards male children as more desirable since they provide security for the elderly, work and are important for the performance of ancestral rites.

Hinduism

Hindu authorities condemn infanticide.

Son-preference in Hindu cultures is largely based on the fact that men are better providers, and that sons are required for the proper performance of funeral rites.

Some writers argue that Hindu culture has long had a patriarchal bias against women.

Sikhism

Sikh authorities condemn infanticide.

The Sikh religion is one of the most gender-neutral, and explicitly proclaims the equality of men and women. This makes it more surprising that censuses in India show there are far more male children than female children in the Sikh community.

In practice there does appear to be a strong preference for boys in the Sikh heartland. The community appears to give greater respect to the parents of boys, and boys themselves.

In response the Sikh religious organisation Akal Takht has re-emphasised that women are equal to men. It has banned neo-natal sex identification, selective abortion and the killing of female babies.

Islam

Islam has always condemned infanticide.

Female infanticide was common in pre-Islamic Arabia. However, by the time of Muhammad, and the revelation of the Qur'an female infanticide was strictly forbidden, and regarded as seriously as adult murder.