Attempting to ascertain whether the skewed sex ratio in three northern districts of India has led to a change in sex-selective behaviour and related practices, this study finds that a shortage of brides is associated with
willingness to compromise on rules of clan exogamy, and with a reduced demand for dowry. There is also a shift in inheritance patterns and increased societal acceptance of husbands living with their wives’ parents
in uxorilocal residence. In addition, more women are likely to be aware of their legal entitlement to a share of their parents’ property, and to give less importance to the cultural construct of a son preference. It has to
be seen whether all this will bring about a long-term change in patriarchal social structures.