People prefer to defecate in the open only because belive it is or not, open is 'cleaner' than inside. Most toilets require a subtantial amount of water to keep clean after every use and water is in short supply in north india. Without adequate flushing the toilet quickly becomes a stinkhole and outside offers a much better experience.
The princeton economist who wrote this intelligent study should have included talking to atleast one guy who stays in north india as part of her research.
There are many other countries that have similar poor plumbing infrastructure like India, but no where near the rates of open defecation. I had a friend who took a summer job in Mexico with an NGO that built pit-style toilets, and the villagers used them.
Heck, even within India itself, the vastly different open defecation rates between Hindus and Muslims point to the fact that the main factor is cultural, not just logistical.
People prefer to defecate in the open only because belive it is or not, open is 'cleaner' than inside. Most toilets require a subtantial amount of water to keep clean after every use and water is in short supply in north india. Without adequate flushing the toilet quickly becomes a stinkhole and outside offers a much better experience.
The princeton economist who wrote this intelligent study should have included talking to atleast one guy who stays in north india as part of her research.