A Comparative Analysis of Indian and Chinese Women’s Attitudes Toward Family, Childbearing, and Gender Norms

This paper examines the attitudes of Indian women toward family, childbearing, work outside the home, and proscribed gender norms, comparing them to women in China. The paper compares the two countries, noting that while they have experienced similar fertility declines, India has much lower female labor force participation rates. The paper explores the historical and cultural factors that influence these differences, including the legacy of socialist policies in China and the persistence of traditional gender roles in both countries. The research uses data from several waves of the World Values Survey to analyze women’s beliefs and values, comparing them across demographics and exploring the relationship between these attitudes and individual characteristics. The paper ultimately aims to understand the drivers of these differences and their implications for gender equality and social development in both countries.