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Usually more boys than girls are born, but
infant boys have a slightly higher mortality rate
than infant girls do, so the numbers of adult
men and women tend to even out. However, the
smaller the geographic unit, the more unbal-
anced the sex ratio probably will be. In addi-
tion, the sex ratio differs across age groups.
Older cohorts often have more women than men
because women often outlive men.

Reasons for Unbalanced Sex
Ratios

A number of factors can cause an imbalance in
the sex ratio, including cultural preferences for
males, gender-selective migration, and major
military and ethnic conflicts. Unbalanced sex ra-
tios can have serious social ramifications.
Figure 8.5 Millennials. Millennials tend to be more socially aware and
interested in sustainability and environmental issues. Many believe they Cultural Preferences for Males Some cultures
will make a significant contribution to solve the environment crisis. Andrei demonstrate a marked preference for males, a
Stanescu / Alamy
phenomenon called androcentrism. India and
China are two good examples, but androcentrism also
exists in many other parts of the world. The cultural
and their desire for universal health care and free preference for males is rooted in history. In most soci-
college education. eties, men have long held positions of economic, polit-
Who comes after Generation Y? There is no consen- ical, social, and cultural power and prestige. Men are
sus about the name of the next generation, born after typically considered to be the heads of households, and
the turn of the twenty-first century. This is also the family names tend to pass from father to son and, with
generation of current high school students like you! Some them, family honor and wealth. In India, male babies
suggested names are Generation Z, Centennials, and the are strongly preferred. In China, newly married women
iGeneration (or iGen). It is too early to summarize this traditionally would move to live in their in-laws’ house.
generation’s key cultural traits and values, but they are The sons were expected to assume economic responsi-
growing up with mobile technology and as a result are bility for their aging parents.
superconnected. Some experts believe they are more For all of these reasons, the Chinese, Indian, and
sheltered and more tolerant but less independent, less many other cultures place a premium on producing male
rebellious, and less happy than previous generations. children (see Subject to Debate: Female: An Endangered

8-3 What is the sex ratio of a population?

The Sex Ratio TERMS TO KNOW . . .
Generation Z: People born after the turn of the
Another important aspect of population composition is twenty-first century
the makeup of a population by sex. The sex ratio is the sex ratio: The ratio of the number of men to number of
numerical ratio of males to females in the population. women in a population
For example, India’s sex ratio in 2019 was 107.48, mean- androcentrism: A phenomenon in which a culture
ing that there were 107.48 males for every 100 females demonstrates a marked preference for males
in India.

Module 8 Population Composition 27
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