Sex-selective abortions and infant mortality in India: the role of parents’ stated son preference

In India, millions of female foetuses have been aborted since the 1980s alongside an abnormally high infant girl mortality rate; this has generated a vast literature exploring the root causes of son preference. The literature is sparse, however, on how the decisions to abort or neglect girls are made. This paper examines mothers’ and fathers’ respective roles behind those decisions. Using NFHS-3 data, we show that sex- selective abortions are most commonly used if both spouses or if only the fathers prefer sons, while sex-selective neglect is used if only the mothers prefer sons

Youth in India: Situation and Needs 2006-2007, executive summary, Maharashtra

This executive summary presents, in brief, findings on the situation of youth in Maharashtra, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu

Transition to marriage and parenthood among youth in Bihar

Delaying the transition to marriage and parenthood among young people has been a policy and program priority for several years in India. Several national-level policies formulated since 2000 have advocated special program attention to delay age at marriage and age at first birth. Despite these commitments, substantial proportions of girls continue to marry in adolescence. As recently as 2005–06, more than two-fifths of women aged 20–24 were married by 18 years nationally. Likewise, over one-fifth of women aged 20–24 had given birth before age 18 and two-fifths before age 20. While the magnitude of early marriage and childbearing has been widely documented, far less is known about the extent to which young people are involved in planning their marriage, how prepared they are for married life, and the nature of their married life. This policy brief documents the magnitude of early marriage and early childbearing in Bihar and sheds light on young people’s involvement in marriage-related planning, preparedness for married life, and the nature of married life

Youth participation in civil society and political life in Jharkhand

Youth participation in civil society and political life is increasingly recognized as an important development objective. The opportunities for participation that young people experience in their communities may influence their development and the kind of transitions they make to adulthood. Behaviors and attitudes relating to community participation that individuals adopt as young people predict their lifelong civic affiliations and perspectives. In India, the National Youth Policy 2003 has underscored the role of India’s youth in political decision-making, and has argued for greater representation of youth in appropriate bodies as well as more extensive youth participation in the design and implementation of programs. There is a recognition that today’s youth can play an important role in influencing political processes and the socioeconomic development of the country. However, there is little evidence of the extent to which Indian youth participate in civil society and political life. This policy brief documents the participation of youth in civil society in Jharkhand, the extent to which they uphold secular attitudes, and their perceptions about and participation in political processes

Youth participation in civil society and political life in Tamil Nadu

Youth participation in civil society and political life is increasingly recognized as an important development objective. The opportunities for participation that young people experience in their communities may influence their development and the types of transitions they make to adulthood. Behaviors and attitudes relating to community participation that individuals adopt as young people predict lifelong civic affiliations and perspectives. In India, the National Youth Policy 2003 has underscored the role of India’s youth in political decision-making, and has argued for greater representation of youth in appropriate bodies as well as for more extensive youth participation in the design and implementation of programs. There is a recognition that today’s youth can play an important role in influencing political processes and socioeconomic development. However, evidence that sheds light on the extent to which youth participate in civil society and political life remains limited in India. This policy brief documents the participation of youth in civil society in Tamil Nadu, the extent to which they uphold secular attitudes, and their perceptions about and participation in political processes

Youth in India: Situation and Needs 2006-2007, executive summary, Tamil Nadu

This executive summary presents, in brief, findings on the situation of youth in Tamil Nadu, part of a subnational study undertaken by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai, and the Population Council, New Delhi, as part of a project to collect information on key transitions experienced by youth in India. Transitions include those related to education, workforce participation, sexual activity, marriage, health and civic participation, the magnitude and patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices before, within, and outside of marriage, as well as related knowledge, decision-making, and attitudes. The project was implemented in six states of India, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu

Youth participation in civil society and political life in Andhra Pradesh

This policy brief documents the participation of youth in Andhra Pradesh, India in civil society, the extent to which they uphold secular attitudes, and their perceptions about and participation in political processes. Data drawn from the Youth in India: Situation and Needs study call for actions to promote youth participation, particularly the participation of young women, in civil society and political life. Special attention must be paid to developing community-level programs for young women, large proportions of whom had not participated in civil society. Findings that many youth are disillusioned with the commitment of political parties to work for change at the community level highlight the need for the political system in the state to make special efforts to address the concerns of youth and encourage youth participation in the political processes in more meaningful ways

Youth in India: Situation and Needs 2006-2007—Executive summary, Andhra Pradesh

This study, implemented by the International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai and the Population Council, New Delhi is the first-ever subnationally representative study conducted to identify key transitions experienced by married and unmarried youth in India. In recognition of the importance of investing in young people, several national policies and programs formulated since 2000 have underscored a commitment to addressing the multiple needs of this group in India. Effective implementation of policies and programs, however, has been handicapped by lack of evidence on young people’s situation and needs. This study focused on married and unmarried young women and unmarried young men aged 15–24 and, because of the paucity of married young men in the younger ages, married men aged 15–29 in both rural and urban settings. The study collected information pertaining to key transitions experienced by youth, and the patterns of young people’s sexual and reproductive practices within and outside marriage. The study was conducted in six states: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. This report focuses on findings from the survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh

Transition to marriage and parenthood among youth in Jharkhand

Delaying the transition to marriage and parenthood among young people has been a policy and program priority for a number of years in India. For example, several national-level policies formulated since 2000 have advocated special program attention to delay age at marriage and age at first birth. Despite these commitments, substantial proportions of girls continue to marry in adolescence. As recently as in 2005–06, more than two-fifths of women aged 20–24 were married by 18 years nationally. Likewise, over one-fifth of women aged 20–24 had given birth before age 18 and two-fifths before age 20. While the magnitude of early marriage and childbearing has been widely documented, far less is known about the extent to which young people are involved in planning their marriage, how prepared they are for married life, and the nature of their married life. This policy brief documents the magnitude of early marriage and early childbearing in Jharkhand and sheds light on young people’s involvement in marriage-related planning, preparedness for married life, and the nature of married life

Transition to work roles among youth in Jharkhand

Enabling young people to make a successful transition to work roles is one of the major thrusts of the Jharkhand Youth Policy. Two of the policy’s six objectives are directed toward achieving this goal: promoting education, vocational education, and training opportunities for youth and facilitating access to information, guidance, and employment; and creating an enabling environment for sustainable and gainful livelihood, employment, financial credit, and other services. This policy brief documents the extent to which youth in the state are equipped to make a successful transition to work roles and the extent to which they are making that transition. Are they transitioning into work roles at appropriate ages and with adequate skills? Are opportunities available that enable youth to overcome skill mismatches through vocational skills training? Are youth finding productive employment and becoming integrated into the labor market? Looking at the current employment situation, this policy brief argues that significant investment in terms of appropriate policies and programs is required to improve the employability of young people in Jharkhand and thereby enable them to find full and productive employment