Termination by abortion sends the soul back into the karmic cycle of rebirth. Another major difference between Hindu and Sikh cultures and Western cultures concerns the question of identity. In Western secular society the individual person is viewed as having autonomy in ethical decision-making. Thus, the person is seen not as autonomous but rather as intimately integrated with his or her extended family, caste and environment. This necessitates a holistic approach to ethical matters such as informed consent, one that includes the patient's societal context as well as the religious or spiritual dimension of his or her experience.
Purity is an important value in Hindu and Sikh culture.
Only before puberty or after menopause does a female approach the standard of purity of a male. For example, childbirth is auspicious if it occurs under the right circumstances. However, even if the circumstances are favourable, the act of childbirth itself, involving the discharge of bodily fluids, renders the mother impure. There is a general bias in favour of males over females in Hindu and Sikh culture. The roots of this bias are 2-fold.