In many states of India, there are several evidences that indicate a widespread practice of using female birth intervention. As a result, an alarmingly lowest ever sex ratio in the age group 0-6 has been reported by the 2001 census.

Son preference, or the privileging of sons over daughters in accordance to a patriarchal system, isa growing phenomenon in India.

Central to the project of comprehensive reform of matriliny in early twentieth century Malabar was the affirmation of the conjugal bond as the principal property/material relation between men and women and parents (fathers) and children.