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Impact of child mortality and sociodemographic attributes on family size desires: some data from urban India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

D. N. Saksena
Affiliation:
Population Research Centre, Department of Economics, Lucknow University, India
J. N. Srivastava
Affiliation:
Population Research Centre, Department of Economics, Lucknow University, India

Summary

Using follow-up data on a sample of mothers who gave birth at a Lucknow city hospital, the family size ideals of the women were examined in relation to experienced and perceived levels of child mortality and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.

The fear of child mortality and their own experience tended to increase the size of family which the mothers considered to be ideal. Lower ideal family size was found among younger women, those who married at later ages and those currently using contraception. Family size preferences were also influenced by rural/urban background, religion, caste, type of family, education, income and occupation of husband and type of housing.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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References

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