This Thesis Has Been Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree (E.G

This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: • This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. • A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. • This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. • The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. • When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. Punjabi Families in Transition: An Intergenerational Study of Fertility and Family Change Feyza Bhatti PhD in Sociology The University of Edinburgh 2014 Abstract Pakistan, a late starter in fertility transition, has been experiencing a rapid fertility decline since 1990. Although existing research often presents patriarchal family systems as a major reason for the delay of the onset of this transition, there is no empirical study investigating the transformations in these family systems or intra- familial power relationships during the ongoing transition. Published research also often fails to reflect the complex nature and processes behind this fertility transition as it lacks diachronic analysis and remains within disciplinary boundaries. This thesis contributes to filling these gaps through investigating the social processes underpinning the fertility decline in Punjab, Pakistan by: 1. employing an interdisciplinary approach that links demography with sociology, and quantitative approaches with qualitative ones, to provide a more comprehensive analysis of fertility and family change 2. employing an intergenerational approach that enables diachronic analysis of the differences in the reproductive careers of two generations of women and the actors’ perceptions of factors contributing to these differences 3. providing multiple perspectives of family members regarding the reasons for fertility change, how reproduction is negotiated within the existing power hierarchies in the family, and how familial power relationships evolve to adjust these changes The study employs a two-phased explanatory sequential mixed methods approach. Phase one utilises two existing Demographic and Health Surveys to compare the changes in fertility preferences and behaviour of Punjabi women aged 25-34 in 1990/1 and 2006/7. Phase two is a qualitative study conducted in Punjab in 2010/11 among young women, their mothers, mothers-in-law and husbands to gather data on their perceptions of reasons for fertility change and the ways in which families and family relationships bearing on reproductive decision-making has transformed during the ongoing transition. ii The findings show that “planning a family”, which was seen to be in the hands of God among the older generation, has entered into the “calculus of conscious choice” among young women who have specific preferences with regard to when and how many children to have. This transition has mainly been a response to rapid socio- economic developments and improved living conditions that are paradoxically experienced as growing economic constraints for the households through increasing costs of childbearing and rearing as well as generating aspirations for social mobility. This was also complemented by changes in values and attitudes regarding family planning, parenthood and familial relationships led by institutional changes and policy developments including expansion of family planning programme, changing religious stances about family planning, the spread of mass media, and increased (importance given to) female schooling. All of these developments also coincide with a subtle transformation of family systems in Punjab, as well as a limited dissolution of previously existing power relationships within the families by expansion of the boundaries of gender roles, honour and obedience. Although young women are expected to be obedient to their husbands and mothers-in-law with regard to fertility decisions, they have been able to influence the power dynamics between themselves and their mothers-in-law by building stronger conjugal relationships and being submissive to their husbands’ desires. iii Declaration In accordance with University regulations, I declare that I am the sole author of this thesis and the work contained herein is original and my own. I also confirm that this work or any part of it has not been submitted for any other degree or personal qualification. Feyza Bhatti iv Acknowledgements I am indebted to all those who facilitated the PhD process and supported me through it. I begin by thanking my supervisors Professor Roger Jeffery and Professor John MacInnes for their invaluable professional supervision, critical engagement and encouragement throughout this process. They have given me the confidence to find my own voice. I also deeply appreciate their patience and support through tough times, personal and professional, during this journey. This thesis has benefited from many conversations, formal and informal, with colleagues and friends. I would like to thank Dr. Faisal Bari, Professor Patricia Jeffery, and Dr. Perveez Mody who gave me helpful comments on various stages of my work or asked questions that made me think in new ways about my findings. I also thank Dr. Zeba A. Sathar, Minhaj-ul Haq and Batool Zaidi from the Population Council, Islamabad for taking the time to engage with me personally during the initial stages of my fieldwork. Among friends, I am particularly thankful to Rabea Malik, Alexandra Pawlik, Emel Uzun, Supurna Banerjee, Deborah Menezes, Asuman Özgür Keysan, and Sarah Humayun for taking the time to discuss/read my work and give me feedback. I am also thankful to Dr. Rebecca Rotter for proof reading my draft. I would like to thank a wonderful team of young people who assisted me during my data collection – Qurat-ul-ain Khaliq, Masooma Jafri, Ghulam Mustafa and Faisal Nadeem. Their enthusiasm and interest in the subject made it a pleasure to work with them. Without their hard work and reliable presence this study would not have been possible. I would also like to thank Mukhtar, Rizwana and Naila, who helped me with transcription of the interviews. Thanks to Shahbaz, Riaz and Sultan for driving me to Sargodha from Islamabad many times. During my fieldwork I was also assisted in various ways by friends, colleagues and family – Taha Mustafa, Arif Naveed, Adeel Faheem, Fahad Khan, Fareeha Ali, Touseef Ahmed, and Rana Junaid Ata, Nabiha Ashraf and their lovely daughter Reemal. I thank them all. v Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre and the Foundation Open Society Institute opened the doors to their offices for me, which enabled me to work on my thesis in an office environment when I was in Islamabad. I am grateful to Mrs. Khadija Haq and Mr. Absar Alam and their teams for this invaluable support. I would like to thank colleagues at Sargodha University, and the officials of the district administrations in Punjab for facilitating my research. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Masood Sarwar Awan at Sargodha University, District Coordination Officer Mr. Farida Mahmood, Sargodha District Health, Population Welfare and Secondary Education offices, Dr. Fawad Hussain and Ms. Tabassum Jawaid – director and deputy directors of the Programme for Family Planning and Primary Health Care – lady health workers’ supervisor Ms. Ishrat Batool and all the lady health workers with whom I worked in Sargodha. I would also like to thank the National Institute of Population Studies office in Islamabad for providing documents and information whenever needed. I am grateful to my family in Cyprus and Pakistan for their support. Without the help and love of my family, completing the PhD would have been very difficult. In particular, I thank my daughter, Tanira, whose presence was a source of strength for me. Last but not least, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my participants for taking time from their busy lives to speak with me. Without their cooperation and hospitality this research would not have been possible. Their willingness to share their experiences made my fieldwork one of the most valuable experiences, and the most enjoyable part of my PhD journey. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................ II DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................. IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................... V ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................ XIII GLOSSARY .....................................................................................................................................XVI INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 RESEARCH AIMS AND QUESTIONS ..............................................................................................................

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