Factors Affecting Fertility Among Tribals

Abstract

Though fertility is a biological phenomenon there are a number of other factors influencing the levels and differentials of fertility among tribals. Demographers usually measure the fertility differentials by looking at such dimensions as land, income, occupation, education, family type, etc., of women. It is understood that some of these variables are not relevant for the tribal population. Because, tribals usually own very meager assets and most of them work in traditional occupations and the majority of them are below the poverty line. When such is
the situation, measuring fertility differentials using these variables for tribals may not provide good insights. Therefore, here we are measuring fertility differentials of Jenu Kuruba and Kadu Kuruba tribal women by looking at their cultural practices. The cultural factors always indirectly alter the fertility of a tribal woman.