Economic Social and Cultural Influences on the Status and Wellbeing of Indian Rural Wives

Clement Tisdell and Gopal Regmi

No 106952, Social Economics, Policy and Development Working Papers from University of Queensland, School of Economics

Abstract: Examines the status and well being of wives in rural India using results from interviews. Surveys were conducted in three villages in the southwest of West Bengal and in three villages in the west of Orissa. The survey in West Bengal contained a large proportion of Santal tribals and the Oriyan survey was dominated by Kondh tribals. The relationships between variables representing economic, social and cultural factors are compared with ‘dependent’ variables representing the status of wives within their family and their wellbeing. Wellbeing is indicated by whether the basic needs of wives for food and medical care are met. Status of wives is indicated by their ‘control’ over family resources, whether or not they are restricted in joining social groups and in working outside their home, and the extent of their involvement in family decision-making. Cultural factors are found to be the dominant influence on the status of wives. Family income and other economic factors are found to be associated cross sectionally with greater restrictions on wives within their family. Nevertheless, the higher in the economic status of the household, the more likely are the basic needs of wives to be met

Keywords: Community/Rural/Urban Development; International Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20
Date: 2004-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uqsese:106952

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.106952

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