Work and reproductive behavior of women living in the metropolitan area of Puebla Mexico with special reference to poor women.

This study aims to examine the relations between womens social conditions employment and reproductive history among an urban and low income population in metropolitan Puebla Mexico. Data are obtained from the 1992 Employment History and Reproductive History Survey among 773 women aged 15-49 years and from in-depth interviews in 1993 among a subsample of the survey. Womens status is determined by husbands job at the start of the union and at the time of the interview. The analysis is identified as preliminary in scope. It is concluded that the broader social context within which families must adjust had an impact on the living conditions of poor families. Womens and childrens work was an important contribution to the survival of the family. Findings show that women began work at early ages and in limiting occupations such as domestic service with requirements of 12 hour work days which prevented school attendance. Four out of every 10 women stopped schooling due to lack of money or marriage. 77.7% of women worked at some point in their lives. 67% worked before marriage and 57.8% did so after marriage. The impact of work on fertility levels is manifested in postponement of union formation. Union postponement was directly proportionate to the length of time women worked before marriage. 28.5% were working at the time of the survey. Most working women were aged over 30 years. Women tended not to work initially after marriage. The reasons given was spousal opposition. Poor women did not start work at an early age for reasons relating to personal development. After marriage women began childbearing immediately although a large number of pregnancies had an outcome of miscarriage or abortion. Miscarriages and abortions were more common among women who worked. More poor women who did not work had children who died in infancy. Fertility rates were higher for poor women. Average fertility was 3 births.