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Abstract
Kerala is a state often cited for its strong social development within the Indian context. It is considered a model for widely available health care, universally available primary education, and significantly lower birth rates. This study examines these assertions in India on a more human level through 30 extended interviews in Kerala. These interviews exposed strong differences between women and mens views about population growth and gender equality. It also highlights the difference of perspectives between doctors, teacher, and politicians opinions concerning the issue. This study finds that Keralas development experience, when gender issues are included, is far more complicated than generally discussed in the literature, and that these complications temper basic assumptions about Kerala as a model of development.