Included bibliographical references and index.

1. Introduction.
2. Status of Women and Girl Child: An Indian Scenario.
3. Review of Literature..
4. Research Methodology.
5. Data Analysis and Interpretation.
6. Summary of Major Findings, Suggestions and Conclusion.
7. Action Plan.
Bibliography
Index

This book presents how far social structure influences the phenomenon of female Infanticide in India. Sociologically, the structure of any society has been the source for any issue of bottleneck such as female infanticide. This study specifically focused the status of girl child and associated life-cycle ceremonies in the background of patriarchal dimensions to explore the factors and circumstances leading to female Foeticide/Infanticide. This study found that a wide range of aspects such as family, economic status, parental perception of girl child, education, gender discrimination and exploitation and cultural stigma have been the dominant factor for female infanticide in India. This study strongly advocates a need for radical structural and behavioural reforms in Indian society to eradicate this scourge.