Child bearing practices among khetrans of Balochistan

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan in terms of area. The population mainly includes Balochand Pathan ethnic groups. Among Balochis, Khetrans are one of the affluent tribe. They enjoy political power at the provincial and national levels. Their major settlements are in the district Barkhan and according to one estimate, their population is about one hundred thousand persons which gives them a prominent place among other Baloch tribes of the province. The concept of child hood is socially defined and culturally constructed. Every culture defines the meaning and extent of childhood and the concept includes all the beliefs and practices around children.The phenomenon of childhood does not exist in isolation. Rather, it is closely associated with the social,economic, and political institutions. The perceptions of childhood have very complex implication for the overall health status and development potentials of the well society. The enhanced understanding of childhood among the Khetrans would enable individuals and organizations to plan their activities in proper perspective