Final answer:
Rukmani is worried that Ira's baby might be worse off due to gender bias, as the birth of a girl can be seen as a financial burden and may lead to preferential treatment for male children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before Ira's baby is born, Rukmani is worried that the baby might be worse off for reasons related to gender, specifically if the baby is born female. In many societies, cultural practices and historical views on women's roles have resulted in gender bias from birth, affecting the opportunities and treatment a female child receives.
Discriminatory practices against girls may include, but are not limited to, preferential treatment for male children, higher rates of infanticide for female babies, and fewer resources devoted to the health and education of girls. Additionally, the birth of a girl may be seen as a financial burden due to expectations of dowry.
Therefore, the deep-seated societal norms and values that favor males over females can lead to anxiety and worry in expecting mothers like Rukmani about the welfare of a female child.
Therefore answer is b) Gender.