Family structure and fertility : emerging patterns in an Indian city
- New Delhi Sage Publication 1988
- 174 p.
This book analyses the relationship between the changing family structure and fertility patterns in an Indian city. It is one of the few studies of fertility behaviour and family planning in an Indian urban setting. Dr. Ramu demonstrates that fertility decisions are made not only in relation to the couples' own marital and familial aspirations but also with regard to the social environment in which children are raised. Conditions which tend to discourage couples from having large families include the general scarcity of goods and services, limited opportunities for a good education and subsequent employment, and the dowry-dominated marriage market. Most of the couples in the study perceived large families as a source of potential strain for themselves and their children and were decisively in favour of small families. This suggests that the considerations influencing the number of children desired are changing and that this will eventually have an impact on population growth. Dr. Ramu has enhanced our understanding of the socio-cultural dimensions of fertility by identifying important issues bearing on the inter-relationship between marriage, the family, and fertility behaviour. This book will be of interest to sociologists, social workers, demographers, and those involved in family welfare programmes.