Parental perception of children is a mediator variable and an important motivational factor that plays a pertinent role in reproductive decision-making and family size goals, as reflected in the contemporary family system. The fertility pattern across the social strata and factors influencing it have been accounted for at various levels, leaving scope to understand from a socio analytical level the reasons that motivate fertility performances at an individual family level. Understanding that the reasons behind every childbearing are highly complex, with several social-psychological motivating factors, ranging from choosing to be pregnant as a marital obligation and social prestige to generational continuity. This draws our attention to comprehend personal attitudes and values associated with choosing marriage, contraception, retention, or abortion of pregnancy. Therefore, the actual purpose behind this book has been to examine reproductive outcomes and variations attached to the value of children across generations as the function of family. The study attempts to understand the meaning of children for parents in a marriage and family life. With limited existing literature on fertility among ethnic communities, the study initiates a multi-centric understanding of the transformation of fertility and the family system based on the conceptual model of the value of children. It reflects upon the complexity of the social system and the inherent gendered power imbalance that functions behind couples' fertility intentions. This book is based on the research study conducted on three tribes of Jharkhand (Ho, Korwa, and Chero) at different socio-economic statuses. The book portrays the intrinsic diversity among the so-called 'culturally homogeneous' community to a certain degree.
Dr. Ujjwala Gupta (Ph.D, MPH, PGDRD, UGC-NET) is a Doctorate graduate in Development Studies and a Public Health faculty member in Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) at Mangalore in Karnataka, India. She has over a decade of research experience in community-based family planning, and maternal and child healthcare. Dr Gupta is a member of the International Sociological Association-ISA and the United Anthropological Association of India Forum- UAIF. She is the recipient of the prestigious International Fellowships Shastri Indo Canada Doctoral Research Fellowship and the Policy Communication Fellowship-Population Reference Bureau (USAID).
The very title of the book, Value of Children and Fertility Behaviour in a Family System among Scheduled Tribes of Jharkhand, speaks volumes of its academic as well as practical importance. Its objective, methodology of data collection, and its findings are not only significant in sociology and anthropology, but are equally important for the planners and policy makers in the field of public health. As per 2011 census, the tribesmen constitute 26% of the total population of Jharkhand, representing almost all the stages of cultural and technological developments from the nomadic gatherers and hunter to the shifting cultivators and intensive agriculturists, and from artisans to the highly educated white collar job holders. Out of the above, the author (Dr. Ujjwala Gupta) has selected three representative groups of tribesmen from three predominantly tribal districts of Jharkhand, viz., the Ho tribe from West Singhbhum district, the Korwa (a Primitive Tribal Group) from the district of Garhwa, and the Chero (a neglected tribe according to author) from Lather district.
Furnished with 28 tables, 8 figures, and a series of Appendices and a detailed Bibliography, the book contains nine chapters, including the Introduction and the Conclusion and Policy Implications. The author has very clearly explained the rational behind the study, research questions, and the objectives of the study in the Introduction. Review of Literature is exhaustive in chapter two; chapter three deals with the methodology of quantitative data collection from primary and secondary sources, as well as data analysis ar d limitations of the study, chapter four analyses the vital statistics and fertility characteristics of the group under study; chapter five discusses in detail about the values of sons and daughters among the groups under study, child mortality, fertility behaviour etc.; chapter six deals with the family system and its influence on fertility behaviour; in chapter seven, a very important issue has be discussed that is induced abortion among the population groups under study; chapter eight deals with intergenerational relationship vis-a-vis fertility behaviour. Chapter nine ends with conclusion, and most importantly, the policy implications based on the findings of the author. Besides the above, in Appendix I, the author has quite succinctly discussed the anthropological facts and cultural values in terms of their similarities and differences among the three tribes- the Ho, the Korwa, and the Chero that have been studied by her.
Keeping in view the above merits of the books, I strongly believe that the book will prove to be model, and will pave the way for future researchers in social science in general and public health in particular, to do similar kind of investigations among different tribal and/or non-tribal groups to arrive at any generalisation.
Hindu (935)
Agriculture (118)
Ancient (1086)
Archaeology (753)
Architecture (563)
Art & Culture (910)
Biography (702)
Buddhist (544)
Cookery (167)
Emperor & Queen (565)
Islam (242)
Jainism (307)
Literary (896)
Mahatma Gandhi (372)
Send as free online greeting card
Email a Friend
Manage Wishlist