Synopsis of Fetal/Fatal Knowledge: New Reproductive Technologies and Family-building...

In an intimate and revealing ethnographic study, Sunil K. Khanna, Ph.D., reflects on his role during fieldwork in India as a native anthropologist, examines the historical and cultural underpinnings of son preference, and considers why this preference persists in a community exposed to the wider forces of globalization and urbanization. Khanna documents the availability and use of new reproductive technologies and abortion services, and he explores the cultural, ethical, and legal meanings attached to family building strategies involving prenatal sex identification and female-selective abortion. Through personal stories of the men and women in the rural village of Shahargoan and their experiences, this engaging book takes an in-depth look at patriarchy in a cross-cultural context, considers why government policies and regulations have been unsuccessful in curbing female feticide, and provides a foundation for effective community-based interventions and advocacy to improve the status of women and girls.