Family Structures and Fertility Preferences in West Bengal, India: A Mixed Method Study

Sourav Mondal, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)
Manas Ranjan Pradhan, International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS)

There is limited research exploring the association between family structures and fertility preferences in the Indian context. This study, using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design, addresses the gap in West Bengal, India. The study utilized quantitative data from all five rounds of the National Family Health Survey for West Bengal (1992-2021) and qualitative data collected through Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, and In-depth Interviews in 2023. Key fertility indicators—age at first birth, desire for more children, and the interval from marriage to first birth were the dependent variables. The primary predictor was family structure, categorized as nuclear, non-nuclear with only the mother-in-law (MIL) or sister-in-law (SIL), non-nuclear with both MIL and SIL, and non-nuclear without MIL and SIL, alongside other socio-economic variables. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed using Stata (v.17) with a 5% significance level for currently married women aged 15-49. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically using NVivo software. Findings reveal that family structure is significantly associated with fertility preferences, with non-nuclear family arrangements negatively impacting women's fertility choices, particularly under the influence of the MIL. Hence, the MIL continues to influence the fertility preference of DIL although the influence has declined over time with socio-economic development.

Keywords: Families, Unions and Households, Fertility, Mixed methods research

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