First published in 1999, this volume represents an empirical model of reproductive rights in developing countries. The model encompasses three explanations of reproductive rights. The first proposes that reproductive rights levels are negatively related to population growth. The second explanation argues that gender equality has a positive effect on reproductive rights. Finally, the authors propose that women's education has a positive effect on reproductive rights. The empirical model takes into account the effects of modernization, secularization, and family planning program effort on population growth, women's education, and gender equality.

Vijayan K Pillai, Guang-Shen Wang

1. Introduction. 2. State Population Control Policies and Reproductive Rights. 3. Value Systems and Reproductive Rights. 4. Women's Health Movements and Reproductive Rights. 5. Overview of Rights in Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theories. 6. Explanations of Reproductive Rights. 7. Methodology. 8. Analyses and Results. 9. Post Hoc Modelling of Women's Reproductive Rights. 10. Discussion and Conclusion.