Page 55 - IJPS-11-3

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

of which can lead to maternal mortality (Neal et al., 2012) Conflict of interest
and infant death (Noori et al., 2022). A previous study
reported a higher likelihood of miscarriage or stillbirth The authors declare they have no competing interests.
and complications during pregnancy and delivery among Author contributions
women married before the age of 18 in West Bengal (Roy
& Chouhan, 2022). Therefore, greater efforts are required Conceptualization: Manas Ranjan Pradhan
from law-enforcement authorities and civil society to Formal analysis: Sourav Mondal, Prasanna Kumar Mudi
prevent marriage before the legal age of 18. Methodology: Manas Ranjan Pradhan
Writing – original draft: Manas Ranjan Pradhan
This study has several strengths. To our knowledge, Writing – review & editing: All authors
this study is the first to analyze the role of culture, as
measured through native language, in early marriage and Ethics approval and consent to participate
childbearing among women. As a result, it contributes
to the scarcity of evidence on the role of culture on Not applicable.
women’s health and welfare. Furthermore, the study uses Consent for publication
large-scale, nationally representative NFHS-5 data with
a robust sampling design, ensuring that the findings are Not applicable.
contemporary and relevant. However, the study also
has limitations. The results are based on cross-sectional Availability of data
data, which limits the ability to draw causal inferences The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current
between the predictor and outcome variables. In addition, study are available in the [Demographic and Health Surveys
while language is used as a proxy for culture, it may only Repository] repository, [https://dhsprogram.com].
partially capture broader social and cultural norms and
expectations. References

5. Conclusion Al Shamsi, H., Almutairi, A.G., Al Mashrafi, S., & Al Kalbani, T.
(2020). Implications of language barriers for healthcare:
Culture plays a significant role in early marriage and A systematic review. Oman Medical Journal, 35(2):e122.
childbearing among Bengali women in India. A substantial https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2020.40
percentage of Bengali girls are married before the age of 18
and begin childbearing before age 19, indicating the need Alwi, H. (2004). Menabur Benih Menuai Kasih: Persembahan
Karya Bahasa, Sosial Dan Budaya. United States: Universitas
for preventive measures. Cultural attitudes and behaviors Michigan.
toward early marriage and childbearing are complex, and
influenced by individual and societal factors. Therefore, the Azeez Abdul, E.P., & Poonia, A. (2015). Determinants, attitudes
government should prioritize social and behavior change and practices on child marriage: Evidences from rural
communication strategies that emphasize the adverse Rajasthan. Social Work Chronicle, 4(1-2).
effects of early marriage and childbearing. In addition https://doi.org/10.21863/swc/2015.4.1and2.003
to mainstream media, grassroots-level health workers, Bajracharya, A., & Amin, S. (2012). Poverty, marriage timing,
such as accredited social health activists and “anganwadi and transitions to adulthood in Nepal. Studies in Family
workers” could contribute to dedicated programs aimed Planning, 43(2):79-92.
at reducing early marriage and childbearing. Moreover, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4465.2012.00307.x
in-school campaigns focusing on the harmful effects of
early marriage and childbearing may foster positive social Barua, A., & Kurz, K. (2001). Reproductive health-seeking by
change regarding marriage and childbearing age. These married adolescent girls in Maharashtra, India. Reproductive
efforts would uphold women’s reproductive rights and Health Matters, 9(17):53-62.
contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0968-8080(01)90008-4
“Good Health and Well-being.” Basu, A.M., & Amin, S. (2000). Conditioning factors for fertility
decline in Bengal: History, language identity, and openness
Acknowledgments to innovations. Population and Development Review,
None. 26(4):761-794.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2000.00761.x
Funding
Bhagat, R. (2016). The Practice of Early Marriages among Females
None. in India: Persistence and Change. IIPS Working Paper

Volume 11 Issue 3 (2025) 49 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.2068