Book Description

This pioneering study describes the psychological development and gender role expectations in the various life stages of an individual in Bangladeshi culture and relates these stages to sexual and reproductive behavior. The authors, both anthropologists, examined the topical life histories of 65 male and female respondents from 5 contiguous villages in Matlab Thana. These personal histories form the basis for chapters on stages of life, childhood and psychosexual development, adolescence and gender roles, adulthood and gender roles, sexual relations outside marriage, range of sexual behavior, and reciprocal relationships within the life cycle. Then, fertility is examined from an anthropological perspective in the final chapters on cultural factors and fertility, fertility control and the stages of life, traditional communication and knowledge of sex, and family life education. At least half of the life history respondents expressed support for family planning and modern methods. Maximum fertility is prevented in the 2nd half of women's reproductive years by traditional mechanisms such as self-restraint, absence of spouse, occasional abstention, and rhythm. The use of modern contraception is supported on the grounds of avoiding economic hardship, maintaining mental peace, and leading a happy life. The most useful approach for family planning field workers seems to be to get to know the men of the village in public places, then the older women, and finally the young women, establishing at each stage the confidence and fictive kinship relationship appropriate. In this way, communication is possible without challenging deeply rooted distinctions of gender roles and life stages.