The socioeconomic context of high fertility in rural Nepal : the case of Benighat

Abstract

Until very recently Nepal has been characterized by the persistence of high fertility despite a government-pronounced population policy to lower fertility rates in successive development plans. This thesis, using data from Benighat area in Dhading district of the Nepalese hills, examines various contexts of fertility and arrives at the conclusion that the study village is at the onset of fertility transition. The age at marriage has remained too low to inhibit fertility even though some increase in age at marriage over the years has been noted. There are wide variations in marriage patterns reflecting traditional norms but changes are taking place in attitudes towards age at marriage. Fertility differentials among various socioeconomic classes result from low age at marriage and differential access to economic and social services. Women in households with better access to education, land ownership, income and proximity to the highway were in the forefront of fertility regulation even though their completed family size was somewhat higher than that of the others, indicating the limited effects of contraception on fertility. Most Benighat women do not use contraception for spacing and the family planning services delivery mechanism promotes permanent methods which are suitable for couples in higher parities, but give limited options for those who want contraception for spacing. Although programs introduced for the purposes of social engineering, including family planning programs, are beginning to show positive effects in the desired direction, the pace of change is rather slow to alter values and norms regarding family size and childbearing for a rapid fertility decline. Recent changes in the Nepalese political system provide an environment conducive to designing a comprehensive population strategy. Some policy options are recommended for an effective fertility reduction program. Show more