The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62517

M. E. Khan, PhD¹, Hemlata Sadhwani², M.M. Gandotra, Prof², and Geetashwari Kale, MSc³. (1) Bangladesh Country Office, Population Council Asia & Near East Region, House CES (B) 21, Road 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 8802-8821227, mekhan@pcdhaka.org, (2) Wood Land Apartments, 4th Floor, Center for Operations Research and Training, Race Cource Circle, Baroda, Gujarat, 390005, India, (3) Wood Land Apartments, 4th Floor, Center for Operations Research and Training (CORT), Race Cource Circle, Baroda, Gujarat, 390005, India

The paper explores the tension and difficulties of adolescent girls and young men which they face just before and soon after marriage. The paper analyses their premarital sexual experience, sexual adjustment after marriage and decision making process related with reproductive goals and contraception. Information which they wish to obtain before marriage for better adjustment in married life has also been obtained and analysed. The study is based on 60 in-depth interviews of recently married women and men (30 each). Of these, 10 each of men and women were married for 6, 6-12, and 13-18 months. Each in-depth interview was spread over 3-4 sessions.

The study demonstrates that variation in family values by caste contribute significantly in marital and emotional adjustment of young couples. Early communication among partners particularly before marriage, makes marriage and sexual life enjoyable. It is encouraging that traditional taboos on expressing sexual desire and enjoying sexual life by married women is now generally not followed. Many freely discuss and express their sexual desire to their husbands Premarital sex among the men is not uncommon and gender power education is the dominant factor in reproductive decision making process. Major difference in awareness and experience in sexualities by gender was observed.

Learning Objectives:

• Helps in understanding social, emotional and sexual adjustment problems which the young couples face just before and after marriage.
• Paper identifies several entry points for programatic interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.