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Why can’t we follow the Japanese? THIS is with reference to the article, "Japanese parents pin hopes on daughters" by Colin Joyce and Keiko Iguchi (May 27). The article reveals that barely a generation ago, the Japanese favoured sons but now parents want daughters because they believe that daughters are more likely than sons to take care of them in old age. I hope, inspired by the Japanese example, Indian parents would also change their outlook and give up their obsession for sons in favour of daughters. It is rather unfortunate that of all the Indians, the Punjabis are becoming victims of ‘son-strokes’. If Japanese parents can pin hopes on daughters why not Indian parents? Especially, when Indian girls are outshining boys in every field! I am sure Indian women have the same experience as their Japanese counterparts, who feel they can have a more rewarding relationship with a daughter than a son. It is nice to know that sex selective abortion is unheard of in Japan. The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology forbids doctors to disclose the sex of a foetus due to its concern regarding sex-targeted abortions. Our doctors should also follow the example of Japanese doctors if we are serious about solving the problem of dwindling sex ratio. ONKAR CHOPRA, Ludhiana |
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Apropos of Taru Bahl’s thought-provoking write-up, ‘Bridging the class divide’ (May 27) raises one of the most ticklish questions of human nature — whether the class or race can mar a human relationship or not? To be fair, it is almost impossible to arrive at a unanimous conclusion about this question. In a sense, every human being needs tenderness and affection. Very often one gets if from one’s family. Somehow or the other, when an individual is deprived of tenderness and harmony in his/her own family, naturally he seeks it from other sources. There is, however, no guarantee that you may get it in your lifetime because it is very rare to meet a person of similar nature in whose company you can find a little love and harmony. P.L. SETHI, Patiala Missing girls Apropos of A.J. Singh’s article, "The missing hundred million girls" (May 20), which stated that the greatest enemy of a girl child are not men but educated, and not uneducated women. This fact came to light when Monica Dasgupta, a researcher, analysed the sex ratio data, now known among demographers as the "Khanna data from Punjab". According to it, the second and subsequent girl child "experiences" 32 per cent higher mortality than the first sibling if the mothers are uneducated, but this gap jumps to 136 per cent if the mothers are educated". Until and unless the society as a whole and our so-called modern educated women change their shameful attitude and shun this insane practice of female foeticide, nothing is going to change this sinful bias. BAHADUR S. GHATTAURA, Goraya Touch wood! This is in response to the article, "Don’t you dare ‘touch’ Wood!" by I.M. Soni. Superstitions have a valid beginning. Uncertainty notwithstanding, the symbolism of ‘wood’ as lucky, and useful in warding off evil began when new Christians, who were prosecuted by the ‘heathen’ emperors of Rome, began to wear wooden crosses and used to touch them for spiritual enhancement and guidance during troubled times. I.M. Soni may find it amusing to know that up to medieval times, iron, cold iron, was supposed to ward off spirits, fairies, elves, etc, from entering houses. So it is not just wood which is supposed to ward off bad vibes! DULEEP JYOT SINGH, Chandigarh
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