Men’s perceptions of child-bearing and fertility control in Pakistan: insights from a PEER project

Abstract

Notions of masculinity, which promote the role of men as providers and decision-makers, alongside men's opposition to modern forms of contraception, have long been assumed to be a barrier to women's use of contraception in Pakistan. There has been little in-depth exploration of varieties of masculinity and how these may influence men's views of child-bearing or fertility preferences. This study used Participatory Ethnographic and Evaluation Research to explore married men's (aged 18 to 45 years) perceptions of marriage, child-bearing and fertility control. A total of 31 men were recruited as researchers in two provinces (Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), who, in turn, each interviewed two male friends. Men overall supported a 'smaller' family size and use of contraceptive methods. Drivers of this preference included perceived economic constraints, the desire to invest in children's education, and wider acceptability of contraceptive use. Limiting family size was associated with both the value of competent male providers taking care of their children, as well as being poor. Men wanted to have better access to information through a range of channels. Understanding the sociocultural contexts in which masculinities are constructed is essential before involving men in family planning programmes, so that gender inequalities are not reinforced.

‘The wife should do as her husband advises’: Understanding factors influencing contraceptive use decision making among married Pakistani couples—Qualitative study

“…Comprehensive sexuality education programs may be particularly successful in promoting positive communication among married couples and healthy reproductive behaviours early in the life course [ 55 ]. Considering the success of peer education and interpersonal communication initiatives with African men in promoting healthy reproductive and maternal health practices [ 45 , 56 , 57 ], similar initiatives maybe be of immense benefit if contextualized and tested in Pakistan.…”

Men's Choice of Contraception Method

“…In the researches based on society and population, it was emphasized that it is important to increase the deciding power of women due to their spouses' resistance to contraception (11). For example, according to the Pakistan Demographic Health Survey data (2013), it has been stated that the most commonly used methods were the use of a condom (9%) and the method of coitus interruptus (8.5%) (12). According to 2013 TDHS data, 33% of women and 47% of currently married women used a modern method, while 18% of women and 26% of currently married women used a traditional method.…”

Sexual experiences of girls engaged in child marriage: A review of qualitative

“…They consider their young age as a productive age and easy to get pregnant so it is very unnatural when they do not get pregnant. 27,33 When they didn't get pregnant in the first year of marriage, the neighbors would talk badly about them and call them barren women. Culture that develops in society makes girls have the same perception and claim themselves to meet the expectations of their environment.…”