Abstract Panel


Authors Information
SequenceTypeName TitleFirst NameLast NameDepartmentInstitute / Affiliation
1 Author Dr. Pebam Krishnakumari Anthropology Shree Shree Gourgobind Girls' College
Abstract Information
TrackID
:
IUAES23_ABS_M3747
Abstract Theme
:
PT158 - Health Management systems
Abstract Title
:
Beliefs and Practices in Controlling Fertility
Short Abstract
:
Every society has their own understanding of beliefs and practices surrounding birth intervals and the techniques regulating them both in terms of a person’s stage in the life cycle and the number of children born. This paper will focus on how social norms and culture regulate fertility and how women perceive the modern family planning method gleaned out from fieldwork among 525 women in Phayeng village, a Scheduled Caste Community in Manipur.
Long Abstract
:

Cultures have exercised control over population in many ways, including the prevention of conception as a consequence of sexual intercourse. In every society there are beliefs and practices behind the organisation of nuptial space, family size, birth intervals and indigenous techniques adopted for fertility control. Every society has their own understanding of beliefs and practices surrounding birth intervals and the techniques regulating them both in terms of a person’s stage in the life cycle and the number of children born. This paper will focus on how social norms and culture regulate fertility and how women perceive the modern family planning method gleaned out from fieldwork among 525 women in Phayeng village, a Scheduled Caste Community in Manipur. Focus group discussion, in-depth interview and scheduled questionnaire were used to collect data. Women in Phayeng practice fertility control albeit through elaborate customs and traditions. Reproduction is not left entirely to the caprices of natural impulses. Social norms and cultural traditions regulate and control fertility in the fertility career of women. The social institutions and cultural practices of fertility control are woven symbolically into values and beliefs related to the fertility career of a woman in Phayeng. The observance of various abstinence and liberal breastfeeding are some of the traditional methods of fertility control practices which will be highlighted in this paper. Abortion as mechanism of fertility control will also be discussed in this paper. The modern methods of controlling fertility and their lacunae will also be brought into light. By identifying how women regulate their fertility this paper will endeavour to promulgate reproductive health policy and programme which is culturally sensitive and women based.

Abstract Keywords
:
culture, social norm, reproductive health policy