Perception of Environmental Degradation and Family Size: A Comparative Study on Married Man and Women (Indigenous People) in Bangladesh

9 Pages Posted: 5 Sep 2010

See all articles by Shah Md. Atiqul Haq

Shah Md. Atiqul Haq

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Tom Vanwing

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Luc Hens

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

A. H. M Belayeth Hussain

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology

Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology

Tanzina Chowdhury

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology

Mohammed Anwar Hossain

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology

Date Written: September 4, 2010

Abstract

In the study we try to understand and compare how the married man and women in the indigenous community (Khasia people), Bangladesh perceive the relation between family size and environmental degradation. The findings of the study show that people who think their local environment such as land productivity, water level and biodiversity are declining are more concerned about the family size and contraceptive use. Children in poor areas or forested areas are involved to collect fuel wood and water. Most the parents in the study area perceive an additional child as a helping hand in domestic works or fuel woods and water collection. The factors involved having additional children and subsequently negative effects on environment are low level of education, lack of employment opportunities and alternative sources of income and cultural belief. Socio-economic development of indigenous communities through education of women, participation to reproductive decision and access to contraception, and improvement of environment such as proper sanitation, clean drinking water, and environmental awareness should be considered to change the perception to a larger family size and excessive use natural resources.

Keywords: Gender Preference, Environmental Factors, Family Size, Indigenous People, Perception, Socio-Economic Development

Suggested Citation

Atiqul Haq, Shah Md. and Vanwing, Tom and Hens, Luc and Hussain, A. H. M Belayeth and Akhtaruzzaman, Muhammad and Chowdhury, Tanzina and Hossain, Mohammed Anwar, Perception of Environmental Degradation and Family Size: A Comparative Study on Married Man and Women (Indigenous People) in Bangladesh (September 4, 2010). OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 1, No. 6, pp.33-41, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1672061

Shah Md. Atiqul Haq (Contact Author)

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) ( email )

Pleinlaan 2
http://www.vub.ac.be/
Brussels, 1050
Belgium

Tom Vanwing

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) ( email )

Pleinlaan 2
http://www.vub.ac.be/
Brussels, 1050
Belgium

Luc Hens

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) ( email )

Pleinlaan 2
http://www.vub.ac.be/
Brussels, 1050
Belgium

A. H. M Belayeth Hussain

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology ( email )

Sylhet, 3114
Bangladesh

Muhammad Akhtaruzzaman

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology

Sylhet, 3114
Bangladesh

Tanzina Chowdhury

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology ( email )

Sylhet, 3114
Bangladesh

Mohammed Anwar Hossain

Shah Jalal University of Science and Technology ( email )

Sylhet, 3114
Bangladesh

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