In a story that underscores the persistent societal preference for male children in parts of India, a couple from Haryana's Jind district has finally welcomed a baby boy after becoming parents to ten daughters over a span of nearly three decades.
A Three-Decade Long Wait for a Son
The couple, identified as Sukhdev, 50, and his wife Suresh, 45, are residents of Singhwal village in Jind. Their journey to have a son began after their marriage. Over the years, they were blessed with ten daughters, with the eldest now 30 years old and the youngest being four. The long-awaited son was born on Tuesday, May 21, at the Jind Civil Hospital.
The news of the boy's birth brought immense joy and relief to the family, who had faced societal pressure and personal longing for a male heir. The family celebrated the occasion by distributing sweets in their village, marking the end of a 30-year wait.
Family and Societal Context
The couple's story is not an isolated incident but reflects a deep-seated cultural and social mindset prevalent in several regions, including Haryana. The desire for a son is often tied to traditional beliefs regarding carrying forward the family lineage, performing last rites, and providing old-age security.
Sukhdev, who works as a laborer, now has a total of eleven children. The financial and emotional responsibility of raising such a large family is significant. While the family is currently overjoyed, the incident brings to the forefront the ongoing challenge of gender bias and the pressure on families to have sons, despite decades of awareness campaigns and legal frameworks against sex determination and female foeticide.
A Reflection on Persistent Gender Norms
This event from Jind acts as a stark reminder that while laws like the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act exist to prevent sex-selective abortions, the underlying preference for male children remains ingrained in certain sections of society. The celebration surrounding the birth of a boy after ten girls highlights the work that still needs to be done to achieve genuine gender equality and value for the girl child.
The case also raises questions about the economic implications for large families and the need for continued focus on education and empowerment to shift deep-rooted social attitudes. The story of Sukhdev and Suresh is, ultimately, a complex tapestry of personal happiness woven into a broader social issue that India continues to grapple with.
