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Book Cover
E-book
Author Vlassoff, Carol, author

Title Gender equality and inequality in rural India : blessed with a son / Carol Vlassoff
Edition First edition
Published New York, New York : Palgrave Macmillan, A Division of St. Martin's Press LLC, 2013

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Description 1 online resource (226 pages) : illustrations, maps
Contents Preface -- Acknowledgements -- The importance of sons in Indian culture -- Methodology of the village study -- The village context : changes over three decades -- Empowerment, gender attitudes and reproductive decisions among married women, then and now -- The influence of son preference on fertility intentions and subsequent behaviour -- Sons, land division, inheritance and household labour allocation strategies -- Adolescent gender roles : are they evolving? -- The situation of widows : do sons and brothers help? -- Toward gender equality in rural India : prospects for change -- References
Summary As India strives to improve overall social and economic conditions and gender relations through policies such as the abolishment of dowry, increasing the legal age at marriage, and promoting educational opportunities for girls, serious challenges remain, especially in rural areas. Gender Equality and Inequality in Rural India focuses on the extent to which economic development has resulted in positive changes in women's empowerment and reproductive health, as well as in sex preference. Based on a study from a village in Maharashtra where impressive gains in economic development have occurred in recent decades, Carol Vlassoff examines the impact of son preference on fertility and rural women's economic empowerment and other aspects of reproductive behavior. She provides evidence of the added value of their employment beyond the traditional wage labor and domestic spheres, and argues that policies aimed at closing gender gaps in social inequalities must be complemented by policies fostering employment opportunities for women. While many studies have demonstrated the importance of social empowerment for improved reproductive health, this is the first to separate out the differential effects of social and economic factors. This work goes even further than economic arguments by demonstrating, on the basis of a robust statistical analysis, that women's education and their professional labor force participation contribute to better health and wellbeing of rural society, including through reductions in fertility, son preference, and infant and child mortality
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-193) and index
Notes Print version record
Subject Sex discrimination -- India
Sex role -- India
Women's rights -- India
Inheritance and succession -- India
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Discrimination & Race Relations.
SOCIAL SCIENCE -- Minority Studies.
Inheritance and succession
Rural conditions
Sex discrimination
Sex role
Women's rights
SUBJECT India -- Rural conditions
Subject India
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781137373922
113737392X
1137374926
9781137374929
1306286808
9781306286800
9781349477104
1349477109