On Kinship Structure, Female Autonomy, and Demographic Behavior in India

TLDR

India is divided into two demographic regimes, with northern states showing lower marital fertility, later marriage, higher infant mortality, and lower female‑to‑male infant mortality, while southern states exhibit higher female autonomy and better health outcomes. The study compares demographic changes in India to those in other South Asian countries. Family social status is the key determinant of India's demographic patterns, and women in the south are more active in the labor force, more likely to adopt fertility control, and more inclined to use health services for themselves and their children. Summaries are available in English, French, and Spanish (authors modified).

Abstract

The main states of India are broadly grouped into 2 demographic regimes. In contrast to states in the north southern states are characterized by lower marital fertility later age at marriage lower infant and child mortality and comparatively low ratios of female to male infant and child mortality. The division between the 2 regimes broadly coincides with the division areas of northern kinship/low female autonomy and southern kinship/high female autonomy. The analysis suggests that family social status is probably the most important element in comprehending Indias demographic situation. Women in the south tend to be more active in the labor force are more likely to take innovative action in adopting fertility control and are more apt to utilize health services for themselves and their children. Changes in India are also compared to those other South Asian countries. (authors modified) (summaries in ENG FRE SPA)