Gender equality and inequality in rural India : blessed with a son / Carol Vlassoff.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 183-193)

Preface -- Acknowledgements -- The importance of sons in Indian culture -- Methodology of the village study -- The village context : changes over three decades -- Empowerment, gender attitudes and reproductive decisions among married women, then and now -- The influence of son preference on fertility intentions and subsequent behaviour -- Sons, land division, inheritance and household labour allocation strategies -- Adolescent gender roles : are they evolving? -- The situation of widows : do sons and brothers help? -- Toward gender equality in rural India : prospects for change -- References.

Based on a study from a village in Maharashtra where impressive gains in economic development have occurred in recent decades, this book examines the impact of son preference on fertility and rural women's economic empowerment and other aspects of reproductive behavior. It provides evidence of the added value of their employment beyond the traditional wage labor and domestic spheres, and argues that policies aimed at closing gender gaps in social inequalities must be complemented by policies fostering employment opportunities for women. This work goes even further than economic arguments by demonstrating, on the basis of a robust statistical analysis, that women's education and their professional labor force participation contribute to better health and wellbeing of rural society, including through reductions in fertility, son preference, and infant and child mortality.