ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents the hypothesis focusing on the importance of union order was generated on the basis of the background material. Age at marriage was also found to be a better predictor of decision-making power among older than among younger cohorts. The impact or the independent variables measuring education and income on the woman's decision-making power differed with the analysis being conducted. Whereas female decision-making power and ideal family size were inversely correlated, once family size was controlled the women with more strength to control matters within the household were found to be less likely than other women to have ever used contraception. Educational attainment was found to be of some importance among women, until duration of marriage was controlled. Additional increments of education improved the decision-making power of women in making the marriage decision, more than they did for the men.
