The research that is currently available on abortion practices among Punjabi women focuses on the phenomenon of sex-selective abortion. To date, there has been no research published on the abortion experiences of Punjabi women in Canada. The objective of this qualitative study is to fill a gap in the literature and shed light on the abortion experiences of Punjabi women across Ontario and British Columbia. Through in-depth interviews with Punjabi women and key informant interviews with health professionals involved in abortion provision, this study documents Punjabi women’s abortion experiences in Canada and providers’ experiences serving this population. Four Punjabi women and three key informants were interviewed across Ontario and British Columbia. The overall findings suggest that the abortion experiences of Punjabi women are very similar to those of Canadian women, in general. Although none of the participants had undergone sex-selective abortion themselves, women described their perceptions of this practice in the Punjabi community. In addition, Punjabi women suggested improvements in pregnancy options counseling, availability of medication abortion and employment accommodation. Key informants’ experiences serving this population differed based on the location of the abortion facility and the demographics of that area. All of the key informants suggested improvements to overcome challenges such as language barriers and newcomer status. Due to the small sample of participants, this study can be considered as a starting point for further research in this area. We hope that the findings of this study can inform improvements in abortion services for this population, as well as shed light on some of the debates underway regarding sex-selective abortion practices. La recherche qui est disponible sur les pratiques d'avortement chez les femmes punjabi met l'accent sur le phénomène de l'avortement sélectif dans les populations asiatiques. À ce jour, il n'y a pas de recherches publiées sur les expériences d'avortement du femmes Punjabi vivant au Canada. L'objectif de cette étude qualitative est de combler cette lacune dans la littérature et faire la lumière sur les expériences d'avortement de femmes punjabi en Ontario et en Colombie-Brittanique. Par le biais d'entrevues en profondeur avec les femmes punjabi et d'entrevues avec les informateurs clés impliqués dans l'avortement disposition, cette étude documente les expériences d’avortement des femmes punjabi au Canada et les expériences des informateurs clés qui desservent cette population. Quatre femmes punjabi et trois informateurs clés ont été interviewés en Ontario et en Colombie-Britannique. Les résultats suggèrent que les expériences d'avortement des femmes punjabi sont très similaires à ceux des femmes canadiennes en general. Bien qu'aucun des participants n’avaient eux-mêmes l’avortement sélectif, les femmes ont décrit leurs perceptions de cette pratique dans la communauté punjabi. En outre, les femmes Punjabi ont suggéré des améliorations dans les options de grossesse counseling, la disponibilité de l'avortement médicamenteux et l'adaptation des emplois. Les experiences des informateurs clés qui desservent cette population diffèrent en fonction de l'emplacement de l'avortement et la démographie de cette région. Touts les informateurs clés ont suggéré des améliorations à surmonter des défis tels que les barrières linguistiques et statut de nouveau venu. En raison du petit échantillon de participants, cette étude peut être considérée comme un point de départ pour d'autres recherches dans ce domaine. Nous espérons que les conclusions de cette étude peuvent orienter des améliorations dans les services d'avortement pour cette population, ainsi que de faire la lumière sur certains des débats en cours au sujet des pratiques de l'avortement sélectif.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2007-11-09Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:06:41Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 resende_mv_dr_jabo.pdf: 538919 bytes, checksum: d1d1f8a0fcb5f27271577eeee85d5b38 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os objetivos deste trabalho foram de facilitar os procedimentos de formação de gradientes de- densidade de Percoll e OptiPrep para separação de espermatozóides X; avaliar a eficiência da sexagem de espermatozóides X, a viabilidade espermática e integridade do acrossoma e do DNA após a centrifugação nestes gradientes e avaliar taxa de clivagem e blastocisto durante a produção in vitro de embriões. Para isso, doses de sêmen de touros foram descongeladas e cerca de 40 milhões de espermatozóides foram colocados sobre cada gradiente de densidade compostos por Percoll ou OptiPrep com três camadas que variaram entre 1.11 Og/mL a 1.123g/mL em tubos de poliestireno de 15mL. Centrifugou-se o gradiente a 500xg por 15 min a 22°C. Os sobrenadantes foram aspirados e recuperados para verificação da viabilidade espermática e integridade do acrossoma, fragmentação do DNA, produção in vitro de embriões, avaliação da eficiência da sexagem pela reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa em tempo real (qPCR) e sexagem dos embriões pela PCR. A porcentagem de espermatozóides vivos com acrossoma intacto diminuiu (P<0,05) após a centrifugação nos gradientes de densidade, mas não influenciou, de modo geral, a produção in vitro de embriões (taxa de clivagem e blastocistos) utilizando estes espermatozóides centrifugados. Não foi detectada fragmentação do DNA dos espermatozóides nas amostras centrifugadas. Os resultados demonstraram que o Percoll enriqueceu as amostras com espermatozóides X (62% de fêmeas, P<0,05). No OptiPrep e grupo Controle a porcentagem de fêmeas foi de 47,1 e 48,7%, respectivamente. Estes resultados foram confirmados pela qPCR do DNA dos espermatozóides, com uma subestimação apenas no Percoll. Foi possível realizar a sexagem, por uma metodologia mais simples, facilitando o procedimento de centrifugação em gradiente de densidade e sem provocar danos aos espermatozóides. / The objectives of this work were to facilitate the procedures of formation of density gradients of Percoll and OptíPrep for separation of X-bearing bovine spermatozoa; to evaluate the efficiency of sexing and viability of acrosome integrity and DNA after centrifugation in these gradients and to assess the cleavage and blastocyst rate during in vitro production of embryos. For this, frozen-thawed spermatozoa (20 to 40 millions) were deposited on each density gradient composed of Percoll or OptiPrep with three layers that varied between 1.110g/mL to 1.123g/mL, in 15mL polystyrene tubes. The tubes were centrifuged at 500xg for 15 min at 22oC. Supernatants were carefully aspirated and sediments recovered for verification of sperm quality, DNA fragmentation, in vitro fertilization of embryos, evaluation of the efficiency of sexing by real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and sexing of embryos by PCR. Percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosome decreased (P<0.05) after centrifugation in density gradients, however, it not influence, in general, the production of embryos in vitro (cleavage and blastocyst rates) using these centrifuged sperm. No sperm DNA fragmentation was detected in centrifuged samples. The results of embryo sexing by PCR showed deviation to female in the Percoll group (62%, P<0.05). In the OptiPrep and Control group the percentage of females was 47.1 and 48.7%, respectively. These results were confirmed by qPCR of DNA of spermatozoa, with an underestimation only in the Percoll group. It was possible the sexing, by a simple approach, facilitating the process of the centrifugation in density gradient and without damage to sperm.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-12-22Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:19:17Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_lz_me_jabo.pdf: 560786 bytes, checksum: c8f1ff167a93ccb809fee9a007e2147b (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Algumas avaliações da capacidade de fecundação como a produção in vitro de embriões (PIV) e a coloração vital indicam que a sexagem de espermatozóides por centrifugação em gradiente de densidade pode causar diminuição nas taxas de desenvolvimento embrionário, entretanto, não são conclusivas quanto à avaliação da integridade das membranas espermáticas. Com o intuito de obter dados mais precisos em relação à viabilidade espermática pós-sexagem, foram descongeladas doses de sêmen de 6 touros diferentes, e avaliadas quanto aos danos espermáticos causados pela centrifugação em gradiente descontínuo de Percoll (com densidade variando de 1,111g/mL a 1,123g/mL). Antes e após a centrifugação dos espermatozóides, além das avaliações de concentração, motilidade e morfologia, o sêmen foi ainda avaliado quanto à integridade das membranas plasmáticas, acrossomal e mitocondrial pela associação das sondas fluorescentes: Iodeto de Propídio (PI), aglutinina de Pisum Sativum conjugado a Isotiocianato de flurosceína (FITC-PSA) e Iodeto de 5,5’,6,6’-tetracloro- 1,1,3,3’-tetraetilbenzimidazolilcarbocianina (JC-1). Os resultados demonstraram que o processo de separação de espermatozóides X e Y por centrifugação em gradiente de densidade promoveu uma melhora nas características associadas à motilidade progressiva, além de uma significativa diminuição na incidência de defeitos maiores. Ainda nas amostras pós-centrifugação, foi observado um aumento no percentual de células com Membrana Plasmática Intacta e com Alto Potencial Mitocondrial. No entanto, o percentual de células com Membrana Acrossomal Intacta foi sensivelmente diminuída provavelmente devido ao fenômeno de reação acrossomal desencadeado pela centrifugação. / Some fecundity evaluations as the in vitro embryo production (IVP) and the vital stains have indicating that the density gradients centrifugation techniques can reduce the embryo development rates. However they are not conclusive for the integrity of spermatic membranes. Wit the purpose of obtain more precise sperm viability data after the sexing procedure, frozen semen samples from six different bulls were thawed and assessed for spermatic damage caused by centrifugation in discontinuous Percoll gradient (with density varying from 1,111g/mL to 1,123g/mL). Before and after the separation of X-bearing bovine sperm, were evaluated the sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Moreover the semen samples were assessed for integrity of plasma, acrosome and mitochondrial membranes by fluorescent probes association: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate–Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and 5,5’,6,6’-tetrachloro-1,1’,3,3’-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). The results demonstrated that the X-bearing sperm separation process by density gradient centrifugation caused an increase in the progressive motility parameters and a decrease in the major defects incidence. In addition, it was observed an increase in the cells categories with Intact Plasma Membrane and High Mitochondrial Membrane potential in the post-centrifugation samples. Nevertheless, the percentage of cells with Intact Acrossome Membrane was reduced probably due to the acrosome reaction phenomenon induced by centrifugation.

Orientador: Vera Fernanda Martins Hossepian de Lima / Banca: Lia de Alencar Coelho / Banca: Claudia Lima Verde Leal / Banca: César Roberto Esper / Banca: Gilson Helio Toniollo / Resumo: Os objetivos deste trabalho foram de facilitar os procedimentos de formação de gradientes de- densidade de Percoll e OptiPrep para separação de espermatozóides X; avaliar a eficiência da sexagem de espermatozóides X, a viabilidade espermática e integridade do acrossoma e do DNA após a centrifugação nestes gradientes e avaliar taxa de clivagem e blastocisto durante a produção in vitro de embriões. Para isso, doses de sêmen de touros foram descongeladas e cerca de 40 milhões de espermatozóides foram colocados sobre cada gradiente de densidade compostos por Percoll ou OptiPrep com três camadas que variaram entre 1.11 Og/mL a 1.123g/mL em tubos de poliestireno de 15mL. Centrifugou-se o gradiente a 500xg por 15 min a 22°C. Os sobrenadantes foram aspirados e recuperados para verificação da viabilidade espermática e integridade do acrossoma, fragmentação do DNA, produção in vitro de embriões, avaliação da eficiência da sexagem pela reação em cadeia da polimerase quantitativa em tempo real (qPCR) e sexagem dos embriões pela PCR. A porcentagem de espermatozóides vivos com acrossoma intacto diminuiu (P<0,05) após a centrifugação nos gradientes de densidade, mas não influenciou, de modo geral, a produção in vitro de embriões (taxa de clivagem e blastocistos) utilizando estes espermatozóides centrifugados. Não foi detectada fragmentação do DNA dos espermatozóides nas amostras centrifugadas. Os resultados demonstraram que o Percoll enriqueceu as amostras com espermatozóides X (62% de fêmeas, P<0,05). No OptiPrep e grupo Controle a porcentagem de fêmeas foi de 47,1 e 48,7%, respectivamente. Estes resultados foram confirmados pela qPCR do DNA dos espermatozóides, com uma subestimação apenas no Percoll. Foi possível realizar a sexagem, por uma metodologia mais simples, facilitando o procedimento de centrifugação em gradiente de densidade e sem provocar danos aos espermatozóides. / Abstract: The objectives of this work were to facilitate the procedures of formation of density gradients of Percoll and OptíPrep for separation of X-bearing bovine spermatozoa; to evaluate the efficiency of sexing and viability of acrosome integrity and DNA after centrifugation in these gradients and to assess the cleavage and blastocyst rate during in vitro production of embryos. For this, frozen-thawed spermatozoa (20 to 40 millions) were deposited on each density gradient composed of Percoll or OptiPrep with three layers that varied between 1.110g/mL to 1.123g/mL, in 15mL polystyrene tubes. The tubes were centrifuged at 500xg for 15 min at 22oC. Supernatants were carefully aspirated and sediments recovered for verification of sperm quality, DNA fragmentation, in vitro fertilization of embryos, evaluation of the efficiency of sexing by real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and sexing of embryos by PCR. Percentage of live spermatozoa with intact acrosome decreased (P<0.05) after centrifugation in density gradients, however, it not influence, in general, the production of embryos in vitro (cleavage and blastocyst rates) using these centrifuged sperm. No sperm DNA fragmentation was detected in centrifuged samples. The results of embryo sexing by PCR showed deviation to female in the Percoll group (62%, P<0.05). In the OptiPrep and Control group the percentage of females was 47.1 and 48.7%, respectively. These results were confirmed by qPCR of DNA of spermatozoa, with an underestimation only in the Percoll group. It was possible the sexing, by a simple approach, facilitating the process of the centrifugation in density gradient and without damage to sperm. / Doutor

De l'Albanie à la Chine, différents pays dans le monde sont affectés par des déséquilibres du rapport de masculinité à la naissance. Le Viêt Nam est de ceux parmi lesquels le phénomène est le plus récent, mais la hausse mesurée depuis 2006 est extrêmement rapide : il s'établit aujourd'hui à 112 naissances de garçons pour 100 naissances de filles au niveau national, et excède 120 dans plusieurs provinces. Au Viêt Nam, cette hausse est exclusivement liée à la sélection sexuelle prénatale, qui résulte de la combinaison de trois facteurs (Guilmoto, 2009), que cette recherche se propose de comprendre. Les couples qui ont recours aux avortements sexo-sélectifs sont disposés à le faire (facteur de demande), parce qu'ils ont une préférence pour les garçons liée à différents arguments sociaux, culturels et économiques. Ils en ont également la possibilité (facteur d'offre), grâce à la légalité du recours à l'avortement provoqué et à l'accès aux échographies qui s'est généralisé au cours de la dernière décennie, dans la majorité des zones urbaines et rurales. Enfin, il y a un facteur de pression, exercée par le faible niveau de fécondité - allant de 1,7 à 2,6 enfants par femme selon les régions en 2009 -, qui accroît le risque de ne pas avoir de fils. S'il existe de fortes disparités régionales dans les statistiques de la masculinité des naissances, partiellement liées à des différences de fécondité et de prospérité, ce sont les variations dans l'intensité de la préférence pour les garçons qui expliquent en premier lieu cette diversité. Le Delta du Fleuve Rouge, dans le Nord, est marqué par un système de parenté patriarcal et patrilinéaire, dans lequel avoir un fils apparaît indispensable pour légitimer le statut des femmes au sein de leur famille et de la société. La situation au sud du Viêt Nam apparaît plus complexe : la mixité de la descendance est privilégiée, en raison notamment du brassage culturel des Khmer bilatéraux et des Cham matrilinéaires, avec les Kinh traditionnellement patrilinéaires, qui s'est développé à travers les siècles. En outre, le Doi Moi à la fin des années 80 et la libéralisation du marché économique ont entraîné un désengagement de l'État de nombreuses structures sociales collectives et engendré une résurgence des traditions rituelles et familiales, qui ont renforcé la dimension patriarcale de la société; c'est cependant moins marqué dans le Sud, en raison de la fracture qui s'est établie durant plusieurs décennies du XXe siècle entre les deux parties du pays. Ce travail de thèse associe une analyse statistique approfondie des données du recensement de 2009 et de l'enquête intercensitaire 2014, et une étude sociologique des différents rôles de genre au sein du couple et de la famille, notamment grâce à la conduite de trois enquêtes qualitatives au Nord et au Sud du Viêt Nam. Il décrit les variations régionales de la préférence de genre, et compare les effets distincts de plusieurs caractéristiques (notamment zone urbaine ou rurale, niveau d'éducation, statut socio-économique, origine ethnique, composition sexuelle de la descendance) sur les comportements de fécondité. / From Albania to China, several countries in the world experience unbalanced Sex Ratio at Birth. In Vietnam, the phenomenon is very recent (2006), but rapidly increasing. Currently, the national sex ratio at birth is 112 boys for 100 girls, and exceeds 120 in several provinces. The rising proportion of male births is directly linked to prenatal sex selection, that is abortion of female fetuses. It results from the combination of three factors (Guilmoto, 2009): expanding access to ultrasonography and abortion in both urban and rural areas (supply factor), low fertility level increasing the risk of remaining « sonless » (squeeze factor) and preference for sons (demand factor). However, important regional disparities exist, partly associated with differences in fertility and prosperity levels. But discrepancies in son preference appear to be the main factor. Northern Vietnam presents a very strong preference for sons, linked to a patriarchal descent system, where the birth of a son legitimizes women's status within their family and the society. However, mixed offspring is privileged in the South, since cultural mixing of bilateral Khmer and matrilineal Cham people, with Kinh population traditionally patrilineal, developed through centuries. Moreover, the Doi Moi economic reforms in the 80's lead the State to withdraw from collective social structures and yielded a resurgence of ritual and familial traditions, which reinforced the patriarcal aspect of society; however the split of the country for several decades during the 20th century makes it less noticeable in the South. This thesis combines statistical analysis of the 2009 census data and the 2014 intercensal survey, and a sociological study of different gender roles within couples and families, based on three qualitatives surveys conducted in Northern and Southern Vietnam. It describes regional variations of gender preference, and compares the distinct effects of several characteristics (including rural/urban areas, level of education, socio-economic status, ethnicity, sex composition of offspring) on fertility behaviors.

This thesis examines demographic manifestations of son preference in three parts. Part I develops a simulation model that formalises the decision to practice prenatal sex selection through a "ready, willing and able" framework. The model is calibrated to South Korean and Indian sex ratio at birth (SRB) trajectories. Simulations reveal how SRB distortions in both countries have emerged despite declining son preference due to the rapid diusion of ultrasound combined with growing propensities to abort as a result of weakening norms for large families. Part II examines the potential role of big data to indirectly estimate the SRB at the subnational level in India. States with distorted SRBs tend to display a relatively high Google search activity for ultrasound. SRB "now-casts" generated using search volumes perform better than lagged variable models in high birth registration states. Part III examines the relationship between prenatal sex selection and postnatal excess female child mortality in two studies. The first applies lifetable techniques to decompose population changes in child sex ratios into a fertility component attributable to prenatal sex selection and a mortality component attributable to sex-differentials in postnatal survival. This study finds that although reductions in numbers of excess female deaths have accompanied increases in "missing" female births in all countries experiencing SRB distortions, excess female mortality has persisted in some but not in others. The second study uses birth histories of the Demographic and Health Surveys for six countries that have witnessed SRB distortions - India, Nepal, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Albania - to examine if differential mortality change by sex can be explained by the uptake of prenatal sex selection. This study finds that changes in prenatal sex selection only explain mortality change in India. Across all countries, although patterns of mortality disadvantage are concentrated amongst less educated mothers, prenatal sex selection is strongest among the better educated. Differential sorting into the two behaviours offers an explanation for why the effect for prenatal sex selection is generally weak.

Resumo: Algumas avaliações da capacidade de fecundação como a produção in vitro de embriões (PIV) e a coloração vital indicam que a sexagem de espermatozóides por centrifugação em gradiente de densidade pode causar diminuição nas taxas de desenvolvimento embrionário, entretanto, não são conclusivas quanto à avaliação da integridade das membranas espermáticas. Com o intuito de obter dados mais precisos em relação à viabilidade espermática pós-sexagem, foram descongeladas doses de sêmen de 6 touros diferentes, e avaliadas quanto aos danos espermáticos causados pela centrifugação em gradiente descontínuo de Percoll (com densidade variando de 1,111g/mL a 1,123g/mL). Antes e após a centrifugação dos espermatozóides, além das avaliações de concentração, motilidade e morfologia, o sêmen foi ainda avaliado quanto à integridade das membranas plasmáticas, acrossomal e mitocondrial pela associação das sondas fluorescentes: Iodeto de Propídio (PI), aglutinina de Pisum Sativum conjugado a Isotiocianato de flurosceína (FITC-PSA) e Iodeto de 5,5',6,6'-tetracloro- 1,1,3,3'-tetraetilbenzimidazolilcarbocianina (JC-1). Os resultados demonstraram que o processo de separação de espermatozóides X e Y por centrifugação em gradiente de densidade promoveu uma melhora nas características associadas à motilidade progressiva, além de uma significativa diminuição na incidência de defeitos maiores. Ainda nas amostras pós-centrifugação, foi observado um aumento no percentual de células com Membrana Plasmática Intacta e com Alto Potencial Mitocondrial. No entanto, o percentual de células com Membrana Acrossomal Intacta foi sensivelmente diminuída provavelmente devido ao fenômeno de reação acrossomal desencadeado pela centrifugação. / Abstract: Some fecundity evaluations as the in vitro embryo production (IVP) and the vital stains have indicating that the density gradients centrifugation techniques can reduce the embryo development rates. However they are not conclusive for the integrity of spermatic membranes. Wit the purpose of obtain more precise sperm viability data after the sexing procedure, frozen semen samples from six different bulls were thawed and assessed for spermatic damage caused by centrifugation in discontinuous Percoll gradient (with density varying from 1,111g/mL to 1,123g/mL). Before and after the separation of X-bearing bovine sperm, were evaluated the sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Moreover the semen samples were assessed for integrity of plasma, acrosome and mitochondrial membranes by fluorescent probes association: propidium iodide (PI), fluorescein isothiocyanate-Pisum sativum agglutinin (FITC-PSA) and 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide (JC-1). The results demonstrated that the X-bearing sperm separation process by density gradient centrifugation caused an increase in the progressive motility parameters and a decrease in the major defects incidence. In addition, it was observed an increase in the cells categories with Intact Plasma Membrane and High Mitochondrial Membrane potential in the post-centrifugation samples. Nevertheless, the percentage of cells with Intact Acrossome Membrane was reduced probably due to the acrosome reaction phenomenon induced by centrifugation. / Orientadora: Vera Fernanda Martins Hossepian de Lima / Coorientador: Rubens Paes de Arruda / Banca: Gisele Zoccal Mingoti / Banca: Eneiva Carla Carvalho Celeghini / Mestre

Human reproduction is increasingly commodified, which paves the way for reproductive enhancement rather than just assistance. Non-medical gender/sex selection is one of the reproductive enhancement services that is offered on the fertility market, and it is a practice that raises severe concerns regarding the social and political impact of biotechnologies. Through Critical Discourse Analysis and Biomedicalization theory, I analyse how non-medical gender/sex selection is legitimised in online forum discussions. I argue that gender/sex selection is legitimized through gender- and family-conservative and neoliberal ideologies, and that gender/sex selection can be understood as a tool to enhance the family, increase privilege, and attain hypernormativity.

Plusieurs chercheurs ont constaté un déséquilibre démographique important (ratio homme/femme) en Inde du Nord-Ouest qui serait l’une des conséquences directe de la sélection sexuelle prénatale engendrée par forte préférence pour la naissance des garçons. Dans les villes de Jaipur (Rajasthan) et Gurgaon (Haryana), auprès de femmes mariées issues de milieux socio-économiques aisés, j’ai tenté de comprendre comment les femmes vivent au quotidien la préférence pour les garçons et d’explorer pourquoi elles reproduisent ces préférences et discriminations envers garçons et filles dans leurs pratiques reproductives. Le recours à la sélection sexuelle semble résoudre de nombreuses tensions produites par les interactions entre les changements économiques, l’intensification de la planification familiale, l’accessibilité aux technologies de la santé reproductive et les attentes filiales de la famille. Bien que les femmes subissent de la pression familiale pour concevoir un fils, elles peuvent désirer pour elles-mêmes la naissance de fils, une préférence influencée par la construction identitaire de genre qui associe l’achèvement de la féminité à travers les rôles d’épouse et la maternité de fils. Les pressions pour la naissance d’un garçon émaneraient tout autant des structures sociales que de l’environnement familial immédiat. / Demographers have recorded a very important unbalanced sex-ratio (men/women) in North-Western India that would be the direct consequence of prenatal sex-selection caused by a strong son preference. In Jaipur (Rajasthan) and Gurgaon (Haryana), I interviewed married women from well-off backgrounds and in attempt to understand the presence of son preference and daughter discrimination in their everyday lives. The use of sex-selection seems to resolve several tensions produced by the interactions between economic changes, family-planning intensification, availability of reproductive technologies and kinship expectations from the family. Although women experience family pressure to conceive a son, they can also desire a son for themselves; gender identity construction influences the idea that women can achieve femininity and be accomplished through their roles as spouse and mother of a son. Pressure to give birth to a son comes from the structures as well as the immediate family environment.

Ce mémoire regroupe différentes études sur la préférence pour les garçons au Pakistan. Celles-ci analysent la fréquence et l'étendue de la préférence pour les garçons et son effet sur la grossesse des femmes. Le rôle que la préférence pour les garçons joue sur la participation des femmes au niveau des décisions au sein du ménage est examiné, tout comme son effet sur l'espacement des naissances, la probabilité d'une naissance à risque, ou l'impact de l'âge auquel une femme se marie sur l'équilibre entre les sexes et le développement de l'enfant né. Nous trouvons qu'il existe une préférence réelle et déclarée pour la progéniture masculine au Pakistan. La probabilité de poursuivre les grossesses diminue avec le nombre de garçons nés. De plus, les femmes qui ont au moins un garcon ont plus d'influence sur les décisions quotidiennes du ménage mais pas sur les décisions financières. La participation des femmes sur les décisions à prendre au sein du ménage augmente avec le nombre de garçons mais seulement jusqu'à la troisième naissance. D'ailleurs, les femmes ayant au moins un garçon attendent plus longtemps avant d'avoir d'autres enfants. Ce constat est plus particulièrement vrai dans le cadre d'une première naissance et il est moins présent à partir de la deuxième naissance. En outre, le fait de se marier à 18 ans ou plus tard influence de façon positive la préférence des femmes sur la composition de sa famille. Pourtant, peu importe qu’une femme se marie avant ou après 18 ans, cela ne modifie pas le biais en faveur des garçons dans leur investissement parental. A partir de ces résultats, nous proposons des préconisations politiques afin de lutter contre les inégalités entre les sexes au Pakistan. / This thesis is a collection of studies on son preference in Pakistan. The studies analyze the prevalence and strength of son preference and its effects on women’s childbearing. The role son preference plays in determining women's participation in intra-household decisionmaking is examined as are its effect on birth spacing, probability of risky births and role of maternal age at marriage in modifying gender-specific reproduction and development outcomes. We find strong evidence for both the revealed and stated preference for male offspring. The probability of continuing childbearing also decreases with the number of sons born. Furthermore, we find that women with at least one son have more say in ‘routine’ household decisions but not in financial decisions. Female participation in decision-making grows significantly with the number of sons but only up to the third parity. We find that women with at least one son are more likely to delay succeeding births. We obtain strong evidence at parity 1. The impact seems to dissipate beyond the second parity. Moreover, we find that marriage at 18 or later positively influence women’s preference for family’s sex composition. However, whether or not a woman married early or late does little to modify the male gender bias prevalent in parental investment. In light of these findings, we suggest policy measures that could help improve gender equity in the country.