Abstract:
The open economy is playing a pivotal role in social, economical and political structures in
the Sri Lankan society. Although participation of women in the economic activities was less
in the early society, post 1977 era facilitated them to integrate with the emerging economy.
As a consequence, employment opportunities and the access for education were created.
At the same time, attitudes were forced to change. The identified foremost trend of this
situation is the delay of marriage and the orientation of women to limit the number of infants
per family. Although this is identified as a trend in urban areas, the same phenomenon is
pervading in sub-urban localities too.
Identification of this recent tre11d becomes the main objective of the research. A random
sample composed of 50 women between the ages of 18-45 was selected from Ja-ela
divisional secretariat division, for whom questionnaires and interviews were used. The study
collected information from families. Interviews were taken from MOH and officials from
the department of registrar general. Secondary data was collected from books, magazines,
periodical publications, visual media and the intemet.
The research found out that the number of children per family is decreasing during the post
1977 period. And the majority of the women gave birth to only one child during their time
of fertility. Most of the women in free trade zone are unmarried and majority of those who
are married have only one child.
