Title: Gender implications for survival in South Asia.

POPLINE Document Number: 073457

Author(s):

Caldwell P
Caldwell JC

Source citation:

Canberra, Australia, Australian National University, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Health Transition Centre, 1990. 31 p. (Health Transition Working Paper No. 7)

Abstract:

Health status and life expectancy have improved and increased, respectively, in India. Males have, however, made the greatest strides forward, with the position of women deteriorating relative to men over the period 1900-1970. For the age group under-1 year to late 30s, females face higher mortality than males. Following this period, steeply rising male mortality minimized the disparity. In the early years through age 10, sex and age segregation within the traditional peasant family leads to health treatment differentials between boys and girls. Greater resources are invested in caring for male offspring. Later, over ages 20-30 years, women suffer comparatively inadequate nutritional input in face of the extra strains of pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and menstruation. Factors supporting this differential treatment, nutrition, and subsequent mortality are, however, being eroded by education, waning subsistence production, and developing female autonomy. Note is made that this latter factor has thus far done more to reduce overall child mortality than to reduce differential mortality according to gender. It may also be noted that a female's chances of survival depend more upon the general mortality level in her place of residence than her gender.

Keywords:

India
Research Report
Surveys
Life Expectancy
Mortality
Women's Status
Sex Preference
Resources
Social Discrimination
Family and Household
Cultural Background
Differential Mortality
Nutrition
Treatment
Educational Status
Child Survival
Women
Changes
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Length of Life
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Value Orientation
Psychological Factors
Behavior
Organization and Administration
Social Problems
Population Characteristics
Health
Socioeconomic Status
Survivorship
Social Change