Page 53 - IJPS-11-3

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

women had higher rates of early marriage (35%) and early as key factors driving the persistence of child marriage and
childbearing compared with their urban counterparts (28%). early childbearing in India. According to previous small-
scale studies conducted in West Bengal (Ghosh, 2011; Roy
3.3. Determinants of early marriage and early & Chouhan, 2022) and Assam (Khanam & Laskar, 2015;
childbearing Mudoi, 2020), societal norms accelerate early marriage
After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, Bengali- among girls.
speaking women were more likely to marry before the age An earlier study highlights that patriarchy, poverty,
of 18 (OR: 1.72, CI: 1.66 – 1.79) than non-Bengali-speaking illiteracy, lack of social security for girls, and dowry are
women (Table 3). Similarly, they were more likely to marry predominant factors resulting in child marriage in West
before the age of 18 and start childbearing by 19 (OR: 1.55, Bengal (Ghosh & Guven, 2007). Patriarchal values and
CI: 1.49 – 1.62) than non-Bengali-speakers. institutions significantly influence marriage patterns,

Women with 10 or more years of schooling were although poverty is also frequently cited as a key factor
75% less likely to marry before the age of 18 (OR = 0.25, (Ghosh, 2011). A girl’s virginity and chastity are strongly
CI = 0.24 – 0.27) and 77% less likely to marry before linked to the honor and status of her family or clan (Ghosh,
the age of 18 and start childbearing by 19 (OR = 0.23, 2011; Human Rights Law Network, 2015; Mudoi, 2020).
CI = 0.22 – 0.25) than women without schooling. Women Hence, there is tremendous pressure to minimize the risk
exposed to mass media had slightly higher chances of early of untoward incidents or improper sexual activity through
marriage (OR: 1.08, CI: 1.04 – 1.13) and early childbearing early marriage. One study found that early marriage of
(OR: 1.11, CI: 1.06 – 1.16) compared with those without daughters is a societal practice in West Bengal where
exposure. parents prefer to fulfill sociocultural expectations (Ghosh,
2011). A recent study among urban middle-class Bengali
Women from female-headed households were less
likely to marry and start childbearing early (OR = 0.94, families further highlights ongoing social pressure on
parents regarding the marriageable age of their daughters
CI = 0.89 – 1.00) compared with those from male-headed (Chatterjee, 2022).
households. Women in SC categories were more likely to
marry early (OR: 1.15, CI: 1.09 – 1.22) as well as marry Our findings align with the well-established theoretical
early and start childbearing (OR: 1.14, CI: 1.07 – 1.21) perspective that patriarchy and social norms drive the
than women from non-SC/ST/OBC categories. However, child marriage of girls (Psaki et al., 2021; E.P & Poonia,
OBC women were less likely to marry early (OR: 0.87, 2015; Rajwani & Pachani, 2016). The intergenerational
CI: 0.82 – 0.92) and marry early and start childbearing transmission of norms, values, traditions, and customs
(OR: 0.91, CI: 0.85 – 0.96). related to marriage and childbearing occurs through
language. Thus, the findings validate the contribution
Muslim women were more likely to marry before the of language as an indicator of cultural identity in early
age of 18 (OR: 1.40, CI: 1.33 – 1.48) and begin childbearing marriage and childbearing among Bengali speakers.
early (OR: 1.37, CI: 1.30 – 1.45) compared with Hindu
women. Women from the richest households were 46% The economic theory posits that the financial cost
less likely to marry before the age of 18 than those from and benefits of early marriage, as well as poverty, are key
the poorest households. Similarly, these women had a determinants (Jejeebhoy, 2019; Bajracharya & Amin, 2012).
39% lower chance of marrying before 18 and starting Our study also found that women from economically
childbearing by 19. Rural women had higher chances disadvantaged households are more vulnerable to early
of early marriage (OR: 1.16, CI: 1.10 – 1.23) and early marriage. Notably, a prior study in West Bengal indicates
marriage plus childbearing (OR: 1.10, CI: 1.04 – 1.16) than that early marriage and childbearing also occur in wealthier
their urban counterparts. families, although poor socioeconomic condition often
aggravates the situation (Ghosh, 2011).
4. Discussion
In addition, the study found that women without
The study discovered that a substantial number of women schooling, those from male-headed households, those who
in India marry before the age of 18 and begin childbearing belong to SC categories, those who practice Islam, and
before 19. Moreover, early marriage and childbearing are those who reside in rural areas are at a higher risk of early
significantly correlated with cultural practices among marriage and childbearing. This result is consistent with
Bengali-speaking women. Previous studies have identified previous studies on the determinants of early marriage
poverty, patriarchy, and social norms (Jejeebhoy, 2019; and pregnancy in India (Ghosh, 2011; Roy & Chouhan,
Roest, 2016), as well as cultural traditions, customs, and 2022; Seth et al., 2018). A previous study reveals that
community pressure (NITI Aayog, 2015; Dixit et al., 2021), poor economic conditions and social disadvantage reduce

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 47 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2068