Patriarchy womens status and reproductive behaviour in rural north India.

Abstract

There have been little empirical research and few theoretical conceptions of womens status and the link to fertility decline among traditional patriarchal societies where social change is limited and womens roles are rigidly prescribed. In this analysis the features of patriarchy which contribute to persistent high fertility were described for South Asia where traditional gender roles remain. Patriarchy consists of social relationships that enable men to dominate women. In South Asia and North India this is manifested in a stratification system supported by social economic and political institutions that bestows material advantages to men and severely constrains women. Constraints for women include purdah or the seclusion of women in household space which prevents income-generating activities and limit activities in public space. Inheritance systems bypass women. It is the man who defines resources and contributions that are to be highly valued and who supports womens exclusion from formal education. Men also control female sexuality through arranged marriage and virginity restrictions; sex is defined as that which benefits the husband. There is limited opportunity for egalitarian relationships. According to theories of patriarchy womens strong son preference and lack of reproductive control over decision-making and mens constraints on womens access to resources are consequences of patriarchal systems. The enhanced economic and social value of sons and the lower value for daughters reinforce son preferences and larger families. Programs such as in Bangladesh have successfully reached low-status women through outreach services recruiting female providers intervening with the husband and family providing contraceptive choices and continuing support after acceptance. The Islamic belt stretches widely and patriarchal systems have many variations but the implications for fertility are very important.