The Process of Integration: From Traditional to Non-Traditional Family and Reproductive Behaviours. The Case of India

Mariachiara Di Cesare, Università di Roma "La Sapienza"

The aim of this paper is the analysis of the transition from traditional to non-traditional family and reproductive behaviours. The data we used are the second Indian National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2) 1998-99. The methodology we applied is the Boolean Analysis for the definition of the main paths of the behavioural transition. We are interested in proving one of the following two hypotheses: i) the transition is due to the individual decision in changing behaviours, or ii) the transition is due to the social decision to determine behavioural changes. From the path followed by each States depends a higher or lower individual sensitivity to belong new behaviours. Results show that considering individual information about the use of contraception, educational level, age at marriage, communication between partners, and use of health facilities, the social component is the main actor in starting the process of integration towards non-traditional family and reproductive behaviours.