A STUDY ON REPRODUCTIVE LIFE OF THE BENGALEE HINDU FEMALES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Reproduction is the process by which new individuals of a species are produced and the genetic materials are passed through generation after generation (Tortora, 2003). The existence of a species is maintained through the urge for the reproduction. Pearl (1939) accounted the urge for reproduction as basic attribute of all living organisms. The expressive form of this urge for the reproduction could be accounted as reproductivity or fertility. The urge for the reproduction in human could not be expressed in its full strength due to several restrictive factors work on it. Demographically observed fertility or infertility is the result of a well-defined number of both biological and behavioural factors, which serve to mediate the influence of culture, society, economic conditions, living standards, and other similar background determinants on individual reproductive behavior (Frank et al., 1994). The hedonistic attitude of human for the reduction of fertility would be described through the "Demographic Transition Model" (DTM) which defines the transition from high birth rates and high death rates to low birth rates and low death rates as part of the economic development of a country from a pre-industrial to an industrialized economy (Thompson, 1929). In the present study an attempt has been made to understand the current status of the reproductive life of the contemporary Bengalee females and the effect of demographic transition as well as fertility transition on the same. Materials of the present cross sectional study comprises with 200 adult married Bengalee females belonging to different caste group lived in a semi urban region of west Bengal. Mean age of the population was 32.63 ± 10.64. The result shows a remarkable decadal change in the reproductive life of the population. Age at menarche seems to follow the secular trend to being decreasing when comparing with a data (mean age 12.79 ± 41.37 and 13.41 ± 1.48 respectively). Comparison with a previous work revealed that the rate of literate women, employed women, the family income etc have been increased noticeable. The number of contraceptive used or adopt family planning families has also been increased remarkably in comparison with the earlier data (64.5 % and 56% respectively). Accordingly the rate of live birth has been decreased. The present study also differs from the age at marriage and marriage conception interval (MCI). Thus the present work revealed that the females (mothers) as well as the couples are more conscious about their reproductive life and adopt different family planning methods. Sharp decadal changes on their reproductive life could also be noticed which may be the ultimate result of the demographic transition.