Page 49 - IJPS-11-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Early marriage and birth in Bengali women

culture influences social systems, gender norms, and parents’ normative, internalized beliefs rather than social
economic conditions, which affect norms and practices pressure (Azeez Abdul & Poonia, 2015; Rajwani & Pachani,
related to marriage age (Desai & Andrist, 2010) and 2016). Kinship theory promotes the traditional gendered
fertility preferences (Chakravarty et al., 2022; Krishnan, division of labor, with males serving as breadwinners
2001; Sheoran & Sarin, 2015). Therefore, language, which and females as caretakers, and reproduction is seen as
is a reflection of cultural traits, should be viewed not only the sole purpose of marriage. This practice promotes
as a demographic marker but also as a significant, though the early marriage of girls to maintain their traditional
understudied, social determinant of health. roles (Wimalasena, 2016). Meanwhile, economic theory
Most studies that examine the relationship between explains early marriage through the financial costs and
language and health have focused on inequities in the benefits involved. In the marriage market, a girl’s perceived
quality of health-care delivery when language barriers “quality” decreases as she ages after puberty, resulting in
exist between providers and patients. Language barriers higher dowry payments for older girls to compensate for
negatively affect the quality of health-care services and the perceived lower quality (Wahhaj, 2014). In addition,
patient satisfaction (Pandey et al., 2021; Al Shamsi et al., child marriages can be a financial strategy to alleviate the
2020). Language-concordant care has been demonstrated burden of raising or educating daughters, particularly
to improve health-care outcomes by reducing medical in areas with limited opportunities for women to enter
errors, enhancing understanding of illness and treatment the workforce (Bajracharya & Amin, 2012). Poverty and
plans, increasing adherence to these plans, and improving social disadvantage reduce girls’ opportunities, increasing
satisfaction with care (Green & Nze, 2017). One study their vulnerability and pressuring families to adhere to
even advocates for the professionalization of language socially desirable practices, thus reinforcing norms on
competency in medical schools (Molina & Kasper, 2019). early marriage and childbearing (Roest, 2016). Figure 1
Likewise, studies based on applied linguists highlight illustrates the pathway through which culture and language
the relationship between language and health from the influence early marriage and childbearing.
perspective of linguistic marginalization, which creates In India, the early marriage of daughters receives
barriers to accessing health services and information excessive sociocultural importance, with such practices
(Kindig et al., 2004). However, the contribution of often symbolizing pride and prestige in society. This is one of
language barriers to health disparities remains largely the major reasons for the high prevalence of early marriage
under-theorized and under-researched (Showstack et al., (Kapadia, 1966). Despite significant improvements in
2019). In particular, the role of the interview language in education, urbanization, and modernization, the pressure
large-scale demographic and health surveys has attracted to marry early persists in Indian society (Bhagat, 2016).
the attention of demographers, who have used language The National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 reveals that
concordance/discordance between interviewer and 23% of women aged 20 – 24 were married before the legal
interviewee to assess data quality (Ram et al., 2022). minimum age of 18, compared with 47% for women aged
Early marriage has often been explained through 45 – 49 (IIPS & ICF, 2022). Among the states, nearly two-
various theoretical perspectives, including patriarchy, fifths of women in West Bengal (42%) and Tripura (39%),
social norms, division of labor, and economics (Jejeebhoy, along with one-third of women in Assam (32%), married
2019; Roest, 2016). Patriarchy reinforces male dominance before reaching the age of 18 (IIPS & ICF, 2022).
within the family and society. To prevent the transfer of Early marriages usually lead to early childbearing,
powers to females, it advocates for the early marriage of primarily due to pressure from mothers-in-law through
girls (Facio, 2013; Ortner, 2022; Sultana, 2012). A lack their sons (Barua & Kurz, 2001). Across the country, the
of agency in negotiating marriage decisions forces many
girls into early marriages (Psaki et al., 2021). Moreover,
in societies where girls’ virginity is highly valued and Culture
patriarchal gender norms prevail, child marriage is
supported because it provides a socially and legally
Patriarchy
sanctioned space for sexual activity, shielding families Social norms Gender roles Early marriage
and
Values
from potential dishonor should a girl deviate from sexual Economy Practices child bearing
norms (CEFM & Sexuality Programs Working Group,
2019). The effects of social norms, especially gender
norms, as drivers of child marriage are well-established Language
(Psaki et al., 2021). Studies have demonstrated that
community norms supporting child marriage often reflect Figure 1. Theoretical framework

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 43 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2068