A new study carried out in a rural area of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in India, concluded that the birth of girls can cause more anxiety and depression in families, affecting not only mothers but also grandmothers. The research found that the sex of a woman's first child can have significant effects on the mental health of her mother-in-law.
The study also revealed that when a girl is born, there is a greater likelihood of the mother staying home instead of working outside. In some cases, this can limit the mother's own employment possibilities.
The research was published on June 24 and analyzed the long-term effects of the preference for male children, which remains deeply rooted in various regions of India to this day.
This cultural preference for male children can thus have chain consequences for different generations of women in Indian families, affecting both the psychological well-being of mothers-in-law and the economic opportunities of mothers.
