:: netwoman's blog ::

Clancy points to an article called Sex Selection Goes Mainstream.

The Virginia-(correction/ not 'tech') BASED fertility clinic includes this question in their ad "Do You Want To Choose the Gender Of Your Next Baby?". They obviously don't know they difference between sex and gender (gender is not biological). Regardless, there are some serious issues concerning this "family balancing" method.The article addresses "increased acceptance of sex selection in the US will legitimize its use and seriously aggravate urgent problems for women in societies where preference for sons is strong. They point to the persistence of female infanticide, neglect of girls, and sex-selective abortions, even in countries such as India with laws against them, and to the prevalence of violence against women who fail to give birth to sons. "

Technology has come far, but we can't deny that the way we use technology rests on our understanding of the role of women and men in society.
In this example, sex-selection technology has clear implications for women. Existing stereotypes that men are more 'useful' in society, or that men have more value is reflected in the sex selection article.

"High-tech sex selection poses a range of difficult policy dilemmas – especially the problem of addressing it without in any way weakening women's rights and access to abortion. But address it we must, because of the grave concerns it raises about exacerbating sexism and gender stereotyping..."

posted by Netwoman @ 11:37 AM