Children of Desired Sex

198927 min 50 secFilm: Documentary

Direction: Mira Nair

Production: Michèle Renaud-Molnar

Co-produced by Ciné-Contact Inc. and the Canadian International Development Agency with the cooperation of NFB and CBC. For purchase, contact Ciné-Contact Inc.

In the patriarchal society of India, the birth of a boy is cause for great celebration, while the birth of a girl is seen as a burden. Nowadays, people are no longer content just to hope for the birth of a boy. Amniocentesis, a medical process by which the sex of the fetus may be determined, is becoming a widespread practice. If it is made known to the mother that she is carrying a girl, she may decide to abort her pregnancy. This documentary examines, with great sensitivity and insight, the reasons that lead couples, and above all women, to not want to bring a daughter into this world.

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Subject categories

  • Sexuality and Reproduction > Abortion
  • Women > AbortionDeveloping CountriesPregnancy and BirthSexuality and ReproductionSocial Conditions
  • Families > Families in Foreign CountriesProblems in the FamilySexuality and ReproductionWomen
  • Developing Countries > Family LifeHealth and IllnessIndia, Nepal and PakistanSocial ProblemsWomen

Credits

director
Mira Nair
producer
Michèle Renaud-Molnar
photography
Nurith Aviv
sound
Alexander Griswold
editing
Carole Equer