Punjabi families in transition: an intergenerational study of fertility and family change
View/ Open
Date
01/07/2014Author
Bhatti, Feyza
Metadata
Abstract
Pakistan, a late starter in fertility transition, has been experiencing a rapid fertility
decline since 1990. Although existing research often presents patriarchal family
systems as a major reason for the delay of the onset of this transition, there is no
empirical study investigating the transformations in these family systems or intrafamilial
power relationships during the ongoing transition. Published research also
often fails to reflect the complex nature and processes behind this fertility transition
as it lacks diachronic analysis and remains within disciplinary boundaries. This thesis
contributes to filling these gaps through investigating the social processes
underpinning the fertility decline in Punjab, Pakistan by:
1. employing an interdisciplinary approach that links demography with
sociology, and quantitative approaches with qualitative ones, to provide a
more comprehensive analysis of fertility and family change
2. employing an intergenerational approach that enables diachronic analysis of
the differences in the reproductive careers of two generations of women and
the actors’ perceptions of factors contributing to these differences
3. providing multiple perspectives of family members regarding the reasons for
fertility change, how reproduction is negotiated within the existing power
hierarchies in the family, and how familial power relationships evolve to
adjust these changes
The study employs a two-phased explanatory sequential mixed methods approach.
Phase one utilises two existing Demographic and Health Surveys to compare the
changes in fertility preferences and behaviour of Punjabi women aged 25-34 in
1990/1 and 2006/7. Phase two is a qualitative study conducted in Punjab in 2010/11
among young women, their mothers, mothers-in-law and husbands to gather data on
their perceptions of reasons for fertility change and the ways in which families and
family relationships bearing on reproductive decision-making has transformed during
the ongoing transition.
The findings show that “planning a family”, which was seen to be in the hands of
God among the older generation, has entered into the “calculus of conscious choice”
among young women who have specific preferences with regard to when and how
many children to have. This transition has mainly been a response to rapid socioeconomic
developments and improved living conditions that are paradoxically
experienced as growing economic constraints for the households through increasing
costs of childbearing and rearing as well as generating aspirations for social mobility.
This was also complemented by changes in values and attitudes regarding family
planning, parenthood and familial relationships led by institutional changes and
policy developments including expansion of family planning programme, changing
religious stances about family planning, the spread of mass media, and increased
(importance given to) female schooling. All of these developments also coincide
with a subtle transformation of family systems in Punjab, as well as a limited
dissolution of previously existing power relationships within the families by
expansion of the boundaries of gender roles, honour and obedience. Although young
women are expected to be obedient to their husbands and mothers-in-law with regard
to fertility decisions, they have been able to influence the power dynamics between
themselves and their mothers-in-law by building stronger conjugal relationships and
being submissive to their husbands’ desires.