‘Why give birth to many children when you cannot take care of them?’ Determinants of family size among dual-earner couples in Ghana

Abstract

The family size in Ghana is increasingly changing from large to small family sizes due to modernization. As societies become modernized, couples begin to limit their family size despite the high value society places on children in marriage and the family. In this study, we explore the factors influencing reproductive behaviour among Ghanaian dual-earner couples by highlighting the subjective views on factors that influence the number of children they have or hope to have as a couple. A qualitative approach was used to collect and analyse data. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with 47 dual-earner couples from rural and urban communities selected from five regions in Ghana. Twenty key informant interviews were held with community leaders to provide the social context of the study areas. The data were analysed thematically. The study observed that there were no differences in the factors influencing family size in rural and urban communities in Ghana. Also, the findings are consistent with previous studies that identified factors such as the cost of raising children and women’s participation in the labour force although the meanings and interpretations that couples attribute to these factors have changed slightly. Couples’ family size was influenced by the need to ensure a comfortable life for their children. Access to modern contraceptives and infertility also came up as influencing family size. Overall, the changing family size among dual earner couples can be attributed to a combination of factors that are interrelated and interdependent.

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“…Within the Ghanaian context, much premium is placed on having a large family size. 49 Parents equally have responsibilities for both nuclear and extended families, a situation which burdens most parents financially. Grounded in the collectivist culture, parents in Ghana are not only tied to the nuclear family responsibilities, but are also required to play roles related to other family relatives (e.g., paying school fees of nieces and nephews), and friends as well as loved ones (e.g., donating for wedding, funerals, and child‐naming ceremonies).…”

“…Hence, it may sound reasonable to suggest that support provided by parents may not be enough as PM for these students considering the numerous responsibilities of most parents in Ghana. Within the Ghanaian context, much premium is placed on having a large family size 49 . Parents equally have responsibilities for both nuclear and extended families, a situation which burdens most parents financially.…”

“…Within the Ghanaian context, much premium is placed on having a large family size. 49 Parents equally have responsibilities for both nuclear and extended families, a situation which burdens most parents financially.…”