Household Bargaining and Marital Practices among Young Indian Women

Objective: The paper attempts to unravel the household bargaining power and autonomy in marital practices among young Indian women vis-à-vis their husband and older women in the household. Statistical Analysis: The unit level Indian Human Development Survey-II (2011-12) data is used for the study. Individual and household level autonomy is assessed through attributes like decision making in the household, mobility, financial autonomy and social and political consciousness among women. However, marital practices are studied in relation to marital history and nature of marital relationship. The differences in the percentages of young and old women with respect of these attributes are tested through two group mean comparison using t-testing and significance of the difference is noted and conclusions are drawn. Findings: The major finding of the study is the presence of gendered division of work in the household in Indian society. Women after marriage remain under the influence of older women in the household and take up more prominent role as they get older. The education level of younger women fails to increase her decision making autonomy and mobility. However, education and work independence are important in enhancing women autonomy on various other fronts. A pragmatic change in the attitude of both men and women is required for gender equality in household and in society as a whole.