False argument

Sir, - This refers to the article ``The gender gap'' by Mr. Sudhanshu Ranade (The Hindu, June 9). It summarises a recent review of mine on the sex ratio, written in tribute to the late Asok Mitra. However, at the end of the article, Mr. Ranade, discussing female foeticide, suggests a ``less malignant possibility'' that, according to him, may explain the excess of male children in Indian families. He says that if, for example, families choose to stop having children only after having given birth to a son, then there will be an excess of male children.

Unwary readers may think it's an argument I advanced. It is in fact Mr. Ranade's own, not mine. Moreover, it is false. A simple arithmetic with what is called a geometric distribution will show that even a family limitation strategy of the Ranade type produces a balanced sex ratio, unless `unwanted' female children are eliminated at some stage, either before or after birth.

N. Krishnaji,

Hyderabad

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