Urban Women Research Articles

Gendered division of paid, unpaid, and total work in India: who bears more burden?

ABSTRACT This study examines the gendered division of paid, unpaid, and total work in contemporary India. We explore this division of work through an analysis of India’s first large-scale time use survey, conducted in 2019. Our findings reveal that the distribution of paid, unpaid, and total work is highly gender-biased. We also found that rural women bear relatively more burden of total work than urban women; whereas, urban men bear relatively more burden of total work than rural men. We observed striking gender differences in the paid, unpaid, and total work burden across the key household and individual-level characteristics of age, marital status, presence of children, income status and employment status. Compared to all other categories, married employed women belonging to the working age cohort (15–59) bear the highest burden of total work in India, and hence are left with the least available free time.

Gender, neoliberal rationality, and anti-aspirational temporality: women’s resistance to the quest for beauty in Taiwan

This paper examines urban and well-educated Taiwanese women’s resistance to the dominance of the valorization of female appearance, providing ethnography of undoing beauty in East Asia’s era of post-developmentalism. Findings reveal the importance of the factor of time in their resistance to bodily grooming. First, participants have a “holistic” understanding of “doing beauty”; they consider this set of gender inequalities “chrono-normativity,” which serves as a vector of social control. Second, the burden of long-term sustainability of aesthetic investment often turns into an unbearable weight that includes an endless quest for extreme slenderness, the exhausting immaterial labor of enacting cuteness and hetero-likability, and the difficulty of long-term financial affordability. Third, due to a bleak economic outlook and strong gender inequalities, disapproval of the quest for beauty showcases women’s rejection of pursuing market success based on an aspirational and future-oriented temporality. Participants’ “lying down” attitude and their emphasis on “assured little happiness” are witness to an anti-aspirational temporality, since women seek a present-focused and non-dominated experience of temporality. I argue that this anti-aspirationalism should be seen as an alternative configuration of neoliberal rationality where the care of the self and its ethos of individualism eclipse the pursuit of economic productivity.

Spatial Imagination, Embedded Female Agency, and Women’s Networks in Early Christianity

Abstract Using spatial and intersectional analysis as well as theory dedicated to embedded gender agency, this article argues that the religious identities of female Christians were dynamic and pluriform not static and singular. These tools help to identify the ways in which one or more aspects of simultaneously co-existing female gendered identities became salient in different situations, through specific social practices. Documents for analysis include references to urban women in Pauline literature with special attention to widows/single women in 1 Timothy, ascetical women rejecting marriage as represented by the apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla, and the representations of female Christ followers and the gendering of Christianity by first and second century Greek and Roman polemicists/magistrates against Christ religion (Celsus, Lucian, Caecilius, Pliny).

Are Rural Areas Holdouts in the Second Demographic Transition? Evidence From Canada and the United States

A central premise of the first demographic transition theory is that demographic change would occur more slowly in rural than urban areas. Few studies, however, have investigated whether rural areas remain holdouts during the second demographic transition. To address this gap, this study (1) examines trends among rural and urban families in Canada and the United States over a 30-year period and (2) determines whether compositional differences in demographic, socioeconomic, and religious factors explain current differences between rural and urban families. We find that rural Canadian women continue to have, on average, 0.6 more children than urban women. However, rural families do not trail behind urban families on any other indicator of family change. In fact, rural women in both countries are now significantly more likely to cohabit and roughly 10 percentage points more likely to have children outside of marriage than urban women. These differences are largely explained by lower levels of education and income among rural American women and fewer immigrants in rural Canada. Examining family change through a rural–urban lens fills important empirical gaps and yields novel insights into current debates on the fundamental causes of ongoing family change in high-income countries.

Cognitive Function in Urban and Rural Postmenopausal Women.

Menopause is a well-known risk factor for decreasing cognitive function in women. Postmenopausal women are increasing in number but relevant studies are very scarce. This study compared the cognitive function between urban and rural postmenopausal women and assessed the influence of socio-demographic factors on cognitive function. The aim of the study was to assess the association between the cognitive function of urban and rural postmenopausal women. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 87 urban and 87 rural postmenopausal women who were selected by purposive sampling method from the Nakhalpara and Dhamrai area of Dhaka district during the period from January to December 2020. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire based on the Bengali version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale through face-to-face interviews and record reviewing with a checklist. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA) and SPSS version 24 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The mean age of postmenopausal women was 58.09 ± 8.163years in urban areas and 60.00 ± 7.562years in rural areas. The majority (31, 35.6%) of urban women were primary school pass whereas 58 (66.7%) rural women were illiterate. The mean family income of the women was 43022.99 ± 10992.57 Bangladeshi taka (BDT) in the urban group and 14022.99 ± 5023.14 BDTin the rural group. The study revealed that 31 (35.6%) women in the urban group and 53 (60.9%) women in the rural group had abnormal cognitive function. The percentage of abnormal cognitive function was higher in rural postmenopausal women. Cognitive function has an association with monthly family income, housing condition, family type, age at the time of marriage, lifestyle, and co-morbidities. Policymakers can take the findings as a guide to formulate policies and programs for the improvement of cognitive function of postmenopausal women.

Needs assessment study for management of menopause in the community.

To study the symptoms of menopause and perception of women in relation to menopause in order to understand their needs. A cross-sectional, multi-centric study was undertaken at three institutions (called DH, SJ, and SK) at two cities in India. The study population comprised women between the ages of 40 and 60. Institutional Ethics Committee approval and consent of participants were ensured. Two instruments, a pilot-tested, peer-reviewed, validated, structured questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were utilized for the study. The minimum sample size was calculated to be 385 per site. Statistical analysis was conducted using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences. A total of 1297 forms were analyzed. MRS scores showed psychological symptoms to be most prevalent. Joint and muscular pains were the most common somatic symptoms. Hot flashes and urogenital symptoms were experienced by a lower number. Our MRS scores were significantly higher than those seen in other regions. Urban women, site SJ, those with irregular menstrual cycles, and lower incomes scored higher than their counterparts. Awareness about menopause was patchy, especially regarding medication or support services available. The high MRS scores emphasize the need to institute awareness programs, providing information on choices available for care (hormone replacement therapy, medications, or counseling) and information on where to access services. Primary care physicians can play a vital role in fulfilling this need by ensuring timely knowledge to the community, providing correct diagnosis and treatment. This will help improve the quality of life and sense of well-being of this community.

Regional Disparity and Determinants of Body Mass Index Status among Tribal Women in Eastern India.

The body mass index (BMI) is a commonly employed metric for determining the nutritional status and health risks associated with weight. Tribal women in India face neglect and discrimination in terms of livelihood, nutrition, education, wealth, and health-care access. The study examined 18,697 tribal women from Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, using data from the National Family Health Survey-5. Multinomial logistic regression has been used to determine how the multiple background factors are associated with the BMI of tribal women. The study found that the prevalence of underweight and overweight was 28.5% and 7.6% among tribal women, respectively. Rural tribal women had a higher likelihood of being underweight, whereas urban women were more likely to be overweight. Odisha had a higher prevalence of underweight tribal women, whereas the prevalence is lower in Bihar. The higher prevalence of underweight among tribal women is alarming and necessitates a reconsideration of health infrastructure in the tribal areas.

Influencing Factors on Premarital Fertility Intentions Among Urban Women in China and In the United States——A Comparative Study

Influencing Factors on Premarital Fertility Intentions Among Urban Women in China and In the United States——A Comparative Study

We Know What is Good for Her: Hunar, and Respectable Work for Women

Education is often conflated with women’s empowerment. Access to formal education is considered to possess the potential to usher in the elimination of the imposed dependence of women on men by enhancing their employability and easing their entry into the labour market. This article argues that establishing such simplistic interconnections evades hidden constraints of sociocultural conditions entwined with patriarchal ideologies that influence and even partially prohibit women’s access to education vis-a-vis employment, resulting in their marginalistaion in the labour market. Examining the nature of educational access and occupational aspirations, of urban women residing in a Delhi settlement, the article shows that patriarchal ideology impresses and controls the nature and outcome of the education they obtain. In the settlement, while most young girls are pursuing higher education, not everyone is expected to channelise their educational degrees to secure paid employment. Unlike men, women are not encouraged to engage in every form of work as the nature of female occupation is tied to notions of honour and disgrace of the family. Locally prevailing patriarchal norms dictate and define what constitutes respectable work for women. They are permitted to aspire and engage in reputable work.

Isolating and Diagnosing the Bacteria that cause Recurrent Miscarriage and Evaluating some Risk factors in women with Urinary Tract Infections

The current study aimed to isolate and diagnose the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections in pregnant women and cause miscarriage, study the risk factors that help increase infection rates, that included 100 sample , and the percentages of distribution of women’s samples were 50 samples from pregnant women, of which 29 were pregnant women. Not infected with a urinary tract infection (Negative UTI), as well as 21 of the pregnancies infected with a urinary tract infection (Positive UTI). The study sample also included 50 miscarried women, a sample in which the percentage of infection (UTI) was distributed as 17 of miscarriage cases without infection (Negative UTI), and 33 miscarriage cases with urinary tract infection (Positive UTI). The study found that the rate of E.coli bacteria in pregnant women with UTI (+ev UTI) was 16.66%, the rate of S. aureus bacteria in aborted women was 18.51%, and the highest bacterial percentage in the age group (under 29 years) was 62.99% of E.coli bacteria (31.48). %), then S. aureus bacteria (24.07%). Also, urban women are more susceptible to infection with bacteria, at a rate of 64.81%, compared to women in rural areas, at a rate of 35.19%. The most common isolated species causing urinary tract infections in the city are E.coli and then S. aureus, and there is no difference between the symptoms, with a positive rate of (53.7). (%), and the disappearance of symptoms (Negative) was (46.3)% of the group of pregnant women and aborted women, The highest species in the first trimester of pregnancy amounted to 66.66%, which was represented by S. aureus bacteria, followed by E.coli, compared to the second and third trimester, 24.24% E.coli, followed by S. aureus bacteria, and that the rate of miscarriage was 3 times or more, the percentage was 27.27% S. aureus followed by E.coli, respectively.

Prevalence of Intimate Partner’s Violence (IPV): A Demographical Analysis of Women Residing in Shelter Homes

The study investigated the prevalence of intimate partner’s violence (IPV) through the analysis of key demographical factors among women who sought refuge in shelter homes. This quantitative cross sectional research was conducted on the sample of 110 sheltered women (ages between 16 to 65 years) from the 10 different shelter homes (Dar-ul-Aman) of the Punjab, Pakistan. Sample was drawn through purposive sampling technique. HITS (Sherin et al., 1998a), was used for assessment of IPV along with a customised demographic sheet and consent form. The quantitative analysis revealed that that the ratio of IPV is significantly higher in arranged/forced marriages as compared to love marriages (p =.042*), additionally, husbands having extra-marital affairs abuse their partners more (p = .049*) as compare to the husbands having no extra-marital affair. It was also revealed that there are no significant difference in geographical boundaries in facing the IPV, both urban and rural women are being the victim of IPV equally (p = .327). Furthermore, it was also evidenced on the basis of significant positive correlation that the ratio of IPV will increase gradually (r = .263**) with the increasing years of marriage, it can be concluded that women in long-term marriages are more prone to IPV and there is a need to address the issue more closely in long term marriages.

A Qualitative Analysis of Urbanization and Menstrual Health Among Young Women.

This qualitative study, grounded in theory, employed inductive coding for analysis, focusing on menstrual health among urban women aged 10-25. The research aims to explore the menstrual health status, practices, and beliefs of participants. The research delves into the impact of recent government initiatives on menstrual health and assesses the role of urbanization in shaping evolving menstrual health practices among young girls. Employing in-depth qualitative methods such as interviews and focus group discussions, the study seeks a comprehensive understanding of participants' experiences and perceptions related to menstrual health. The dynamics of women's menstrual experiences are significantly influenced by urbanization, heightened exposure to social media, evolving lifestyles, and government initiatives like the distribution of menstrual products in schools and the enhancement of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in government institutions. Positive shifts have been observed, including reduced restrictions on menstruating individuals, enhanced access to affordable hygiene products, and improved disposal facilitated by municipal garbage collection services. However, notable gaps persist in basic knowledge about menstruation, hygienic practices, effective interpersonal communication with schoolteachers or community health care workers, and compliance with government programs promoting weekly iron-folic acid supplementation and biannual Albendazole intake, calling for substantial improvement.

Banal misogynism in Turkish media at the beginning of the multi-party era: the case of Boşboğaz

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyse the cover cartoons of the Boşboğaz [Bigmouth] magazine to reveal how misogynist attitudes were reproduced in Turkish media representations of women at the beginning of the multi-party period. The interpretive content analysis method is applied to front cover cartoons, the analysis is also feminist in the sense that it focuses on misogynistic representations of women. The results reveal that urban women are represented as exploiters of wealthy men, victimising both the men and their wives in the process. Hence, urban women are depicted as cunning predators. Paraphrasing Michael Billig, who introduced the term ‘banal nationalism’, it would be appropriate to describe the depictions of women in the Boşboğaz magazine as a case of banal misogynism since they contain illustrations of everyday scenes, captioned in everyday language.

Improving women's financial literacy as a means of social inclusion

This article explains how much financial education has helped women become self-sufficient in handling family finances without consulting a male family member. In this research, we examine how well-informed urban, semi-urban, and college-educated women are about the many investing opportunities available to them. Given that the gender ratio in the United States is 933 women for every 1000 men and the female literacy rate is 60.6% compared to the male literacy rate of 81.3%, it is critical to educate women about money management in order to improve the economy. The ability to understand and manage one's finances is a crucial tool for surviving economic and emotional hardships, as it can shed light on the wide range of opportunities available for generating sustainable income. Women who are financially literate are in a position to make decisions based on a broad understanding of personal finance and a variety of practical considerations. Those that are financially educated are able to make sound decisions about their money, whether it be saving, investing, borrowing, or something else. Given the myriad ways in which financial literacy influences Behaviour, the process of financial education, the attainment of financial literacy, and monetary well-being (Lusardi and Mitchell, 2014), it is clear that improving financial literacy is crucial.

Khanty urban women in the second half of the 20th — early 21st century: continuity of ethnocul-tural traditions, a view from the “inside”

Ethnicity is a dynamic category based on ethnic background. Most clearly it is expressed in the traditional environment, natural for the preservation of cultural traditions, which is associated with ancestral places, rural areas. In recent years, the number of representatives of indigenous peoples of the North living in the cities of Yugra has increased significantly. The main force of national intelligentsia is concentrated in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk, public institutions have been created there that became a part of the modern ethnic culture of the Ob Ugrians. The most representative part of this community are women, they clearly show their creative nature. The purpose of this work is to capture the features of the expression of ethnicity among Khanty women of different generations living in urban conditions, to trace its changes and continuity using the example of resi-dents of Khanty-Mansiysk. To assess this topic, a “look from the inside” is characteristic, the author places herself in the center of the study, as she belongs to this community. The stories of famous Khanty women who were born in the 1930s in a traditional environment but became citizens, as well as stories of their daughters and granddaughters born in the city, serve as a “refe-rence”. The author concludes on the natural “blurring” of ethnic identity in city environment. This is a natural process caused by the environment itself, as well as by metisation of urban residents. The process of assimilation of ethnic cultures in urban condi-tions is faster. The “true” representatives of traditional culture in urban environment are those born in rural areas. The first gen-eration of urban women (“mothers”) keeps in touch with the traditional environment, usually speaks their native language and appears as representatives of ethnic culture. The second generation (“daughters”) takes a marginal position in relation to their native culture and the urbanized environment, they are able to perceive their native culture, but at a different level; they rather carry a universal identity. Representatives of the third generation (“granddaughters”), as a rule, are not speakers of their native language and bearers of the culture, and their ethnic identity is expressed in preserving the memory of their ancestors.

Association between high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia among urban Indian women (15–49 years)

BackgroundWomen in their reproductive age have tremendous health implications that affect their health and well-being. Anaemia is an indicator of inadequate dietary intake and poor health. Maternal malnutrition significantly impacts maternal and child health outcomes, increasing the mother's risk of dying during delivery. High-risk fertility behaviour is a barrier to reducing mother and child mortality. This study aims to examine the level of high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia among ever-married urban Indian women and also examine the linkages between the both.MethodsBased on the National Family Health Survey's fifth round of data, the study analyzed 44,225 samples of ever-married urban women. Univariate and bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression have been used for the analysis.ResultsFindings suggested that more than half (55%) of the urban women were anaemic, and about one-fourth (24%) of women had any high-risk fertility behaviour. Furthermore, the results suggest that 20% of women were more vulnerable to anaemia due to high-risk fertility behaviour. For the specific category, 19% and 28% of women were more likely to be anaemic due to single and multiple high-risk fertility. However, after controlling for sociodemographic factors, the findings showed a statistically significant link between high-risk fertility behaviour and anaemia. As a result, 16% of the women were more likely to be anaemic due to high-risk fertility behaviour, and 16% and 24% were more likely to be anaemic due to single and multiple high-risk fertility behaviour, respectively.ConclusionsThe findings exposed that maternal high-risk fertility behaviour is a significant factor in raising the chance of anaemia in ever-married urban women of reproductive age in forms of the short birth interval, advanced maternal age, and advanced maternal age & higher order. Policy and choice-based family planning techniques should be employed to minimize the high-risk fertility behaviour among Indian urban women. This might aid in the reduction of the malnutrition status of their children.

Residential and wealth-related disparities of high fertility preferences in Ethiopia: A decomposition analysis.

Fertility preference significantly influences contraceptive uptake and impacts population growth, especially in low and middle-income countries. In the previous pieces of literature, variations in fertility preference across residence and wealth categories and its contributors were not assessed in Ethiopia. Therefore, we decomposed high fertility preferences among reproductive-aged women by residence and wealth status in Ethiopia. We extracted individual women's record (IR) data from the publicly available 2016 Ethiopian Demographic Health Survey (EDHS) dataset. A total of 13799 women were included in the study. Multivariate decomposition analysis was conducted to identify the factors that contributed to the differences in the percentage of fertility preferences between rural and urban dwellers. Furthermore, we used an Erreygers normalized concentration index and curve to identify the concentration of high fertility preferences across wealth categories. The concentration index was further decomposed to identify the contributing factors for the wealth-related disparities in high fertility preference. Finally, the elasticity of wealth-related disparity for a change in the socioeconomic variable was estimated. The weighted percentage of women with high fertility preference among rural and urban residents was 42.7% and 19%, respectively, reflecting a 23.7 percentage point difference. The variations in fertility preference due to the differences in respondents' characteristics accounted for 40.9%. Being unmarried (8.4%), secondary (14.1%) and higher education (21.9%), having more than four children (18.4%), having media exposure (6.9%), middle (0.4%), richer (0.2%) and richest (0.1%) wealth were the positive and city administration (-30.2%), primary education (-1.3%) were the negative contributing factors for the variations in high fertility preferences due to population composition. Likewise, about 59% of the variations in fertility preference were due to variations in coefficients. City administration (22.4%), primary (7.8%) and secondary (7.4%) education, poorer wealth (0.86%) were the positive and having media exposure (-6.32%) and being unmarried (-5.89%), having more than four children (-2.1%) were the negative factors contributing to the difference in high fertility preferences due to the change in coefficients across residents. On the other hand, there was a pro-poor distribution for high fertility preferences across wealth categories with Erreygers normalized concentration index of ECI = -0.14, SE = 0.012. Having media exposure (17.5%), primary (7.3%), secondary (5.4%), higher (2.4%) education, being unmarried (8%), having more than four children (7.4%), rural residence (3%) and emerging (2.2%) were the positive and city administration (-0.55) was the negative significant contributor to the pro-poor disparity in high fertility preference. The variations in high fertility preferences between rural and urban women were mainly attributed to changes in women's behavior. In addition, substantial variations in fertility preference across women's residences were explained by the change in women's population composition. In addition, a pro-poor distribution of high fertility preference was observed among respondents. As such, the pro-poor high fertility preference was elastic for a percent change in socioeconomic variables. The pro-poor high fertility preference was elastic (changeable) for a percent change in each socioeconomic variables. Therefore, women's empowerment through education and access to media will be important in limiting women's desire for more children in Ethiopia. Therefore, policymakers should focus on improving the contributing factors for the residential and wealth-related disparities in high fertility preferences.

Rural-urban disparity in cancer burden and care: findings from an Indian cancer registry

BackgroundCancer incidence and mortality vary across the globe, with nearly two-thirds of cancer-related deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. The rural-urban disparity in socio-demographic, behavioural, and lifestyle-related factors, as well as in access to cancer care, is one of the contributing factors. Population-based cancer registries serve as a measure for understanding the burden of cancer. We aimed to evaluate the rural-urban disparity in cancer burden and care of patients registered by an Indian population-based cancer registry.MethodsThis study collected data from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, between 2017 and 2019. Sex and site-specific age-standardised rates for incidence and mortality per 100,000 population were calculated. Rural-urban disparities in cancer incidence and mortality were estimated through rate differences and standardised rate ratios (with 95% confidence intervals). Univariable and multivariable regressions were applied to determine any significant differences in socio-demographic and cancer-related variables according to place of residence (rural/urban). Crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.Results6721 cancer patients were registered during the study duration. Urban patients were older and had better literacy and socioeconomic levels, while rural patients had higher odds of having unskilled or semi-skilled professions. Diagnostic and clinical confirmation for cancer was significantly higher in urban patients, while verbal autopsy-based confirmation was higher in rural patients. Rural patients were more likely to receive palliative or alternative systems of medicine, and urban patients had higher chances of treatment completion. Significantly higher incidence and mortality were observed for oral cancer among urban men and for cervical cancer among rural women. Despite the higher incidence of breast cancer in urban women, significantly higher mortality was observed in rural women.ConclusionsLow- and middle-income countries are facing dual challenges for cancer control and prevention. Their urban populations experience unhealthy lifestyles, while their rural populations lack healthcare accessibility. The distinctness in cancer burden and pattern calls for a re-evaluation of cancer control strategies that are tailor-made with an understanding of urban-rural disparities. Context-specific interventional programmes targeting risk-factor modifications, cancer awareness, early detection, and accessibility to diagnosis and care are essential.

Shameful or shameless? Anxieties about mothers and women's autonomy on the Central African Copperbelt, 1956–1964

AbstractThis article deals with anxiety about and the shaming of modern urban mothers and wives on the mines of the late colonial Central African Copperbelt. Women's various labours and public presence lead to ambivalent depictions, such as the ‘careless mother’, that were part of a broader array of anxieties about women's autonomy on the mines. However, urban women rejected such labelling and resisted the isolation of modern motherhood. Instead, they created networks of mutual support and solidarity, they publicly shamed their failing breadwinners, supported one another financially, emotionally and through expressing solidarity in the press, thus seeking economic independence where possible.

Wanted: marriage partner! Partner preferences in newspaper contact adverts in the Netherlands, 1900-1955

ABSTRACT This study examines romantic and instrumental partner preferences in contact adverts from two Dutch newspapers, the Arnhemsche Courant (N = 283) and the Provinciale Drentsche en Asser Courant (N = 231) between 1900 and 1955. With the spread of the newspaper, contact adverts became a new meeting place. By means of short messages, people could make known that they were looking for a partner to get acquainted or even to marry and describe how their desired person should look like. By analysing how advertisers described themselves and their sought-after partners, insights into the motivations behind partner choice were gained. We identified a number of terms in the ads that could indicate romantic partner preferences, such as age homogamy, openness to regional or social heterogamy, and preferences indicating attraction, personality, and appearance. Similarly, instrumental partner preferences could be gathered from phrases expressing social homogamy (marrying into one’s own social class), parental influences, and the importance of wealth or possessions. The results show that romantic and instrumental considerations in partner preferences co-existed, but that their relative occurrence changed over time. Moreover, differential considerations in partner preference existed according to region, urban or rural residence, social class, religion, and gender. For instance, women’s partner preferences were more instrumental than those of men, while urban women were more likely to place contact adverts than rural women. Widows, widowers, and the divorced more often expressed romantic rather than instrumental partner preferences compared to unmarried men and women.