Correct Option
The correct option is Sex-selective abortion.
Explanation
The Child Sex Ratio (CSR) is defined as the number of females per 1,000 males in the age group of 0-6 years. Unlike the overall sex ratio, which can be influenced by migration, the CSR is a more accurate indicator of the status of the girl child in society. A declining CSR indicates a strong preference for male children and active discrimination against female children.
Detailed Analysis
- Sex-selective abortion. is Correct: The primary reason cited by demographers and government reports (such as the Census of India) for the sharp decline in the Child Sex Ratio is sex-selective abortion (female foeticide). The availability of pre-natal diagnostic technologies, despite being regulated by the PC-PNDT Act, has allowed families to exercise a cultural preference for sons by eliminating female foetuses.
- High infant mortality rate among girls due to disease. is Incorrect: While higher infant mortality among girls due to neglect (nutritional and medical) is a contributing factor to the overall survival rate, it is not the primary cause of the skewed ratio at birth and early childhood compared to the scale of pre-natal elimination.
- Migration of male children to cities. is Incorrect: Migration primarily affects the overall sex ratio in urban areas (due to the influx of working-age males). It does not significantly skew the Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) on a national scale, as children in this age group generally move with their parents.
- Lower birth rate of girls biologically. is Incorrect: Biologically, the natural sex ratio at birth is slightly skewed towards males (approximately 950-952 girls per 1,000 boys). However, the drastic decline seen in India (dropping well below natural levels in many states) is sociological, not biological.
Key Takeaway: The decline in Child Sex Ratio is principally driven by son meta-preference combined with the misuse of medical technology for sex determination, leading to female foeticide.