article

Education of women and family size in two Micronesian communities

Micronesica • 18 (1) • Published In 1982 • Pages: 1-21

By: Marshall, Leslie B., Marshall, Mac.

Abstract

This is an investigation of the affect of women's education and employment on fertility rates and family size among the Chuuk. The Marshalls examined two communities, one rural and the other suburban. Universal education on Chuuk began in 1947 during the American administrative period. The Marshalls found that most Chuuk women in this period continued to marry and have children, although there is some indication that marital fertility decreased with educational attainment. Also, the proportion of women married in each community was lower among more highly educated persons, those in school, or employed. Differences in marital and fertility rates among women living in the suburban village were not as marked as those found in the rural village. According to the Marshalls one explanation for the lower marital fertility among rural mothers, who seek a higher education, is the lack of alternative childcare provisions and the decision to postpone marriage and family until the completion of one's education.

HRAF PubDate

1999

Region

Oceania

Sub Region

Micronesia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1997

Field Date

1969-1971, 1976

Coverage Date

1976

Coverage Place

Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia

Notes

Leslie B. Marshall and Mac Marshall

Includes bibliographical references (p. 20-21)

LCCN

80646215

LCSH

Trukese (Micronesian people)