The Precious Few: Women's Agency, Household Progressions and Fertility in Rajasthan Village

In: Journal of comparative family studies, Band 30, Heft 3, S. 429-451

Abstract

Male authority and dynamics of power and privilege, and women's 'structural mutedness' seem apparent. However, it is also accepted that wherever there is power there is resistance. In the light of the above issues, the paper explores women's exclusive domain of childbirth in rural Rajasthan in Northern India. It adopts the pro-cessual, life cycle and household development approach to constitute women's fertility career. It highlights the significance of women's agency in their efforts at monouevering their own fertility outcomes without overthrowing mothering or patriarchy.