Acculturation, health, gender and power: Unpacking the social, cultural, and environmental contexts of male-preference in Asian-Indian (AI) communities

Background: Gender preferential practices are well known and documented in India and throughout continental Asia. Although some Western studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that male-preferential practices persist outside of India, there is little information about this for AIs in the United States (US).

 Purpose: To use qualitative contextual research to better understand the experiences of gender-preference in California AI communities and explore how cultural issues of gender and power, including son preference, and acculturation, affect the quality of life and mental health of US AI women, and how to intervene.

Methods: Semi-structured key informant interviews (KIs) and focus groups (FGs) were conducted in English and Punjabi. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Punjabi transcripts were translated and all interviews were analyzed using Grounded Theory methods including inductive and deductive processes to guide the analysis.

Results: Eleven KIs and four FGs were conducted with 47 participants residing in AI communities in central California including women of reproductive age, older women, community stakeholders (female and male), and husbands. Emerging themes included acculturation effects, social pressures of male-preference within families, culturally driven gender and power relations, and psychosocial stressors for females related to son preference.

Conclusion: Results indicate continued perceived gender discrimination and son preference that for women is associated with significant emotional and mental health issues. US cultural adjustments alongside traditional Indian gender and family structure expectations are present, which especially for wives migrating from India, result in conflicts and isolation. Further quantitative research to validate these findings is suggested.