ANALYSIS OF BIRTH INTERVALS IN A NON-CONTRACEPTING INDIAN POPULATION: AN EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

Abstract

Reproductive strategies are related to ecological constraints. This paper examines data on early birth spacing in a scheduled caste, Bengali-speaking, non-contracepting population of the Karimganj district of southern Assam, India, taking an evolutionary ecological perspective. It is found that on average birth intervals closed by boy–boy are longer than those closed by girl–girl. Birth spacing tends to be longer among upper-income and Craftsman sub-caste mothers. The presence of a ‘grandmother’ in the household shortens spacing. These findings are compatible with an evolutionary-based reproductive decision-making process.