Exploring the Role of Reproductive Technology and Gender Discrimination in India

• In Event: Technomedicine and Reproduction

Abstract

The paper discusses that science and technology is in the momentum of change in every aspect. Society is also changing simultaneously with the technology but the gender relation having the stereotype notion and behaviour still perpetuating in the society with same bias in attitudes and attributes. The gender relations are rooted in the socio-cultural background in India. The paper specifically discusses reproductive technology related to the life of women in context of gender relation. What are the conflict, contradiction, and interaction between the changing dimension of reproductive technology and gender rigidness in India? The technological situation is changing in India in the context of gender but the role of technology in gender relation is difficult to categorise having a neutral role. In patriarchal society of India cultural and economic significance of male child is preferred. Girl child has been neglected in every aspect. The case of female foeticide with help of sex detection technology is very rampant which has raised many questions on the use of this technology as it is considered boon and bane at the same time. In context of this, the paper attempts to explore the role of reproductive technology in promoting son preference. How society and cultural factors are reacting to the technology in general and female foeticide in particular. Furthermore, the paper also delves deeper into the issue of technology becoming the tool to control the women reproductive power according to the male needs and status. The arguments are based on secondary sources. The approach and theoretical framework of study is based on Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) perspective.

Keywords: Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) Technology, Reproductive Technology, Gender relation, Patriarchal Society

Author

• shivmohan prajapati, central university of Gujarat