India's son preference, though declining, persists, with fewer 'missing' girls due to prenatal sex selection and infanticide. While the national sex ratio at birth has improved from 110 in 2010 to 107, traditional beliefs about sons performing rites, carrying family names, and supporting parents in old age continue to influence family planning. Daughters, traditionally seen as expenses due to dowry and safety concerns, are increasingly desired as family sizes shrink, leading to a preference for at least one son, even if the first child is a daughter.