Female Cooperation and Conflict in Rural Mali: Effects on Infant and Child Survival

Despite notable demographic contributions to the study of social organization and infant and child survival in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a paucity in research on the relationship between household discord and child survival. Using qualitative and survey data from two ethnic groups in the West African country of Mali, this study examines the possible effects of female cooperation and conflict on infant and child survival. Results suggest that cultural norms that stress the importance of cooperation do not necessarily translate into collective childcare strategies nor increase survival chances of infants and children. Conversely, household living arrangements marked by conflict do not negatively impact child welfare. Through an innovative methodology, this study underscores the need for a more sophisticated use of anthropological theory and methods in understanding the role of culture in demographic processes.