article

Education of women and family size in two Micronesian communities

Micronesica18 (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.
Subjects
Birth statistics
Labor supply and employment
Conception
Elementary education
Liberal arts education
culture
Chuuk
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)