Exploring the Effects of Sex Composition of Living Children on Contraceptive Use among Tribal Women in India: A Regional Analysis

Anubhav Verma; Harihar Sahoo

doi:10.53941/gssd.2026.100024

Abstract

Although India’s tribal communities have historically been characterized by relatively egalitarian gender relations, increasing interaction with mainstream society may have contributed to the emergence of son preference in some tribal communities. While contraceptive use among tribal women has been widely studied, little is known about how the sex composition of living children influences contraceptive behaviour. This study, using data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), examines the effects of the sex composition of living children on contraceptive use among currently married Scheduled Tribe (ST) women in India. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were employed to assess this effect while controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors. The findings show that ST women have lower contraceptive use than other social groups, with female sterilization being the predominant contraceptive method. Women with only daughters were consistently less likely to use contraception than women with one or more sons, suggesting that the absence of a son may encourage continued childbearing. The strength of this association varied across regions, demonstrating that India’s tribal communities are culturally heterogeneous and should not be viewed as a homogeneous population. These findings indicate that contraceptive behaviour among tribal women is shaped by the sex composition of living children within broader regional and sociocultural contexts rather than by tribal identity alone. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive family planning programmes that promote gender-equitable norms, address son preference, and expand access to a wider range of modern contraceptive methods.

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