Understanding Patriarchal Ideology in Decision-Making on Induced Abortion in Jharkhand’s Korwa Tribe

Abstract

Abortion continues to be seen in many societies as an alternative method of contraception. It is a complex dynamic jumble in the patriarchal social structure where the concept of choice is not entirely in hands of women. Deciding to abort involves the interplay of social, cultural, family, and structural dynamics of traditional society. This article describes the study of one of Jharkhand’s primitive tribal communities in order to understand the dilemma that influences women to submit to abortion. Forty-one in-depth personal interviews were conducted with married women aged 13–49 years who were currently living with their husbands and had at least one living child. The interview guide included open-ended questions supported by prompts and the information collected during the discussions was carefully coded and analyzed by theme. The study assessed male hegemony over women’s sexuality expressed as a preference for the son that often triggered domestic violence. The choice to undergo abortion remained under the influence of asymmetric structure of patriarchal power as well as a number of other, juxtaposing social issues, including land rights and religious factors. The gender balance of power affects not only the determination of reproductive intentions but also the continuation or abandonment of reproductive outcomes. This reflects the need to include gender and cultural sensitivity in policies and programs of fertility control.