This unique and groundbreaking book examines the reasons why large numbers of women seem to be "missing" from the populations of countries across Asia. Bringing together demographic data and anthropological field studies to paint a vivid picture of the social costs of daughter discrimination across Asia today, "Endandered Daughters" reveals the multiple ways in which girls are disadvantaged, from excessive child mortality to the withholding of health care and education on the basis of gender. It argues that the increasing availability of sex-identification technologies will serve to supplement older forms of infanticide and neglect. Focusing especially on China and India, this compelling account reveals the surprising coincidence of increasing daughter discrimination with rising economic development, declining fertility and the generally improved status of women in East and South Asia.