In my country, boys child were alwsys preferable over girls child. Boys always holds an upper hand over Girls. I have seen my Dad always facing a lot of criticism for not having a boy child in his family. Even though, he never regretted but many relatives never miss an oppurtunity to pinpoint this question in social gathering. But my Dad is quite satisfied and never let us feel low. There are several reasons why some people prefer sons over daughters in my country. Sons are seen as representing the continuity of the family line. Some believe that a girl is a liability and a boy is an asset. But in recent years, girls have outclased boys in many fields. Be it academics, sports or others. Girls are not leaving any stone unturned.
Today, just to highlight the issue, i am putting up an ancient Sanskrit verses that says ;
अपुत्रत्वं भवच्छ्रेयो न तु स्याद्विगुणः सुतः|
जीवन्नप्यविनीतोSसौ मृत एव न संशयः||
Aputratvam bhavacchyeyo na tu syaadvigunah sutah.
Jeevannapyavineetosau mruta eva na samshayah.
Aputratvam = not having any sons.
Bhavacchreyah = Bhavat + shreyah.
Bhavat = being.
Shreya = creditable, better.
Na = not.
To = but
Syaadvigunah = syaat + vigunah.
Syaat = perchance.
Vigunah = without any virtues, worthless.
Sutah = son.
Jeevannapyavineetosau = Jeevan + api + avineeto + asau.
Jeevan = alive.
Api = also, even.
avineeto = ill mannered, rude.
asau = he.
Mruta = dead.
aiva = like.
Samshaya = doubt.
The line states that : "It is preferable not to have any son rather than having a worthless son. There is no doubt that so long he will be alive he will be ill mannered and rude, and cause pain like a dead son."
People always like to ask for a son in their family. But they never think what if he turns bad and ill mannered with the passage of time. It is not necessary that the son could be efficient to carry the family names ahead or may be he ruin with his acts or behaviour. So before asking for sons do keep a thought of all the consequences.