Gender differences in child mortality in South Asian countries
Abstract
The study examined the causes of high male/female child ratio in South Asia. Three theoretical perspectives are considered: modernization theory, dependency theory, and dual systems theory. Macro data from four South Asia countries—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka—between 1970 and 1990 are used to examine the hypotheses drawn from these three theories. Results show that women's education, marriage age, and labor force participation rate all play important roles on reducing male/female child ratio, providing strong support for dual systems theory. The impact of modernization on patriarchal structure is mixed and contradictory. Industrialization improves female literacy and increases female marriage age, but lowers female labor force participation. The general pattern, however, is support for modernization theory—discrimination against women and girls is systematically reduced by economic development.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Marshall, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Demographics|Social structure
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