GS4 · 20 marks · 250 words

The steady decline in sex ratio suggests that marked improvement in the economy and literacy rates do not seem to have had any impact on this index. In fact, the availability of new technology and its easy access for the urban, wealthy and educated have worsened the trend and harmed the status of women in Indian society. 20 (a) Explain why the phenomenon should not be simply viewed as a medical or legal issue and more attention should be given to the ethical issues involved. (b) Give some suggestions to tackle the problem of declining sex ratio. (c) Discuss the ethical dilemma involved in Right to abortion vs. Prevention of female foeticide. How can this be resolved?

Answered by 7 toppers · CSE 2018–2019

Dimensions of EthicsFamily, Society and EducationEthical Dilemmas in GovernmentTechnology and EthicsHuman Values

Syllabus: Ethics and Human Interface: Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in-human actions; dimensions of ethics; ethics - in private and public relationships. Human Values - lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators; role of family society and educational institutions in inculcating values.

How toppers approached it

From all 7 answers · about 390 words.

Opening

  • No separate opening71%
  • A figure29%

Body

  • Points and prose71%
  • Points29%

Close

  • No separate close86%
  • A summary14%

The toppers’ answers

Akshat JainAIR 2 · CSE 2018 · 354 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

Gender discrimination is one of the most prominent ethical issue in India. The steady decline in sex ratio shows that despite improvement in our wealth and status, our moral character still remains unevolved when it comes to our girls and daughters.

Body · points and prose

a) The phenomenon cannot be viewed as a mere medical or legal issue because -

  1. It will not address the patriarchal mindset of our society
  2. As technology such as Ultrasound is easily available pan-India, it will only promote people to go outside their city for sex-determination
  3. It will do nothing to improve the socio-economic and political status of women
  4. It will further give a reason for not having girls

The ethical issues involved here are -

  1. Denying the girl child her right to live
  2. Undermining the dignity of the individual
  3. Even if its' a foetus or a child, killing her represents the gross crime of murder
  4. Unfair treatment towards girls on an irrational basis

If these issues are not addressed, India can never achieve its socio-economic objectives, for women constitute near half of the population. Further, it is a sin on our humanity.

b) To tackle the issue, following solutions can be used -

Social

  • Enhancing the educational levels of the society, including that of parents
  • Generating mass-level awareness programmes to induce behavioural changes
  • Initiating a campaign by the local women and supporting men to pledge to protect girl child

Economic

  • Tackling poverty and unemployment as it is a chief reason why girls are viewed as economic burden
  • Cash-based incentives via scheme

Legal

  • Proper enforcement of PCPNDT Act
  • Asking doctors/clinics to inform authorities if couples approach them for abortion/sex-determination

c) The ethical dilemmas involved are:

Close

Right to AbortionPrevention of female foeticide
1. Female's right of bodily autonomyRight of the girl child to live
2. Right of parents to decide whether they want to have a childParents should have used protection, for now the child suffers due to no fault of own

More on Dimensions of Ethics

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