The contraceptive transition in Flanders

Abstract

Changes in contraceptive use in Flanders are documented, largely though not solely using data from four surveys conducted between 1966 and 1983. Particular attention is paid to changes in the methods of contraception used. The contraceptive transition observed for Flanders is compared with information for other countries to assess whether a specific pattern can be delineated, Rksumk. La 'transition contraceptive' en FlandresCette note d6crit l'6volution du recours h la contraception en Flandres, principalement partir des r6sultats de quatre enqu~tes r6alis6es entre 1966 et 1983. L'accent est mis sur les changements de m6thodes. La 'transition contraceptive' observ6e en Flandres est compar4e aux donn6es disponibles dans d'autres pays en vue de d6gager ses particularit~s ~ventuelles.

Postponement and recuperation of Belgian fertility: how are they related to rising female educational attainment?

“…The effect of educational activity means that being in education significantly reduces the rates of entering a consensual union, getting married or entering parenthood compared with non-students (Hoem 1986). Apart from the effect related to educational activity, the level and the field of education are assumed to be correlated with a variety of factors likely to have longer-term effects on fertility outcomes, such as value orientations and choice of household type (Lesthaeghe and van de Kaa 1986), fertility preferences (van de Kaa 2001;Van Peer 2008), career tracks and labour market opportunities (Becker 1981), and also contraceptive use (Cliquet and Lodewijckx 1986).…”

“…Modern contraceptives have affected values concerning sexuality and childbearing, have changed partnership relationships and have been instrumental in postponing childbearing, but are not considered a primary cause of contemporary low fertility levels (Frejka 2009). In Belgium, educational level has played an important part in determining differentials in the adoption of modern contraceptive methods, and is thus likely to have given rise to educational differentials in the frequency of both timing and parity failures (Cliquet and Lodewijckx 1986).…”

Recent trends in contraceptive sterilization in Flanders

“…Some data have already been published on the frequency of sterilization in 1982-83 (Cliquet & Lodewijckx, 1986) but omitting details of indications for the operation. In the present article however, a distinction is made between therapeutic and contraceptive sterilizations.…”

“…After the mid-1960s the contraceptive profile changed dramatically in Flanders (Cliquet & Lodewijckx, 1986). Traditional methods, such as withdrawal and rhythm, were replaced by highly effective modern methods (pill, IUD and sterilization).…”

Ready, Willing, and Able: Contraceptive Use Patterns Across Europe

“…In light of these evolutions, researchers have investigated a range of socioeconomic and demographic determinants of contraceptive use patterns. Most studies have focused on single countries (Cliquet and Lodewijckx 1986;Oddens et al 1994a, b;Serbanescu et al 1995;Carlson and Lamb 2001;Moreau et al 2006) and cross-national comparisons are largely limited to Western (Skouby 2004;Spinelli et al 2000) or Central and Eastern Europe (Serbanescu et al 2004;Westoff 2005). Furthermore, population-level characteristics are often ignored, although studies in developing countries have shown the beneficial effects of macroeconomic and proactive efforts of governments to empower women and couples to access modern contraception (Gakidou and Vayena 2007).…”