Women social network and fertility behaviour in rural Uttar Pradesh, India

Fertility has declined across several Indian states of late (1970s), with varying historical points of onset and pace of decline. Women in Uttar Pradesh still bear four children due to interplay of socioeconomic, demographic and cultural factors. Rarely role of diffusion was examined in precipitating fertility change in the India. To investigate the role of women’s social network towards influencing actual fertility and fertility preferences in rural Uttar Pradesh, India. The study is based on egocentric social network data from 567 women 18-35 years. Discussions on matters of child bearing (MoCB) with women social network partners (SNP) had significant negative association with CEB by woman. Accounting for interaction between MoCB and density of SNP, there appears positive association of discussion of MoCB and increasing density of SNP with children ever born in rural UP. This suggests operation of social influence to sustain high fertility in the study area.