Young Fatherhood and Its Associated Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors in India

Rahul Bawankule, DYPU School Of Public Health, Navi Mumbai

Although much attention has been given to the issue of adolescent motherhood, the economic, financial, and emotional challenges faced by young fathers are equally significant. Young fatherhood is an emerging social issue, yet it is often overlooked particularly in regions characterised by lower socioeconomic development in India. Therefore, the study examines the levels of young fatherhood and its associated socioeconomic and demographic factors in India. The study analyses the most recent National Family Health Survey–Five (NFHS-5) data conducted in 2019-21 and applies a multivariable binary logistic regression model. The overall prevalence of young fatherhood was 7.2%, ranging from a maximum of 10.2% in the Eastern region to a minimum of 2.9% in the Southern region of India in 2019-21. Place of residence, geographical regions, educational level, exposure to mass media, current use of contraception, use of tobacco, use of alcohol, and household wealth status were significantly associated with young fatherhood in India. The study confirms wide and stark regional variation in young fatherhood. The findings further reveal that the complex socioeconomic and demographic factors influence young fatherhood, which require targeted interventions to promote responsible parenthood and address disparities in reproductive health outcomes in India.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Family Planning and Contraception, Fertility, Families, Unions and Households

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