Citation

Basu AM, Stephenson R. Soc. Sci. Med. 2005; 60(9): 2011-2023.

Affiliation

Department of Sociology, Cornell University, 352 Uris Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ab54@cornell.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.socscimed.2004.08.057

PMID

15743650

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of 'low' levels of maternal education on the proximate determinants of child mortality using data from the 1992/93 Indian National Family Health Survey. Twenty-two outcomes are investigated, representing child mortality and morbidity, illness management, service utilization and health behaviours. Maternal education is a significant correlate of each of the outcomes, and even low levels of education increase child survival prospects and health-related behaviours, except for neonatal mortality and the effective management of diarrhoea. We speculate on some of the possible mechanisms behind such impressive findings and suggest that rather than female autonomy, it may be the 'hidden curriculum' values of discipline and obedience of authority that account for them.

Language: en