Exploring U.S. Men’s Birth Intentions

Abstract

Objectives While recently there have been renewed interest in women's childbearing intentions, the authors sought to bring needed research attention to understanding men's childbearing intentions. Methods Nationally representative data from 2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth was used to examine pregnancy intentions and happiness for all births reported by men in the five years preceding the interview. We used bivariate statistical tests of associations between intention status, happiness about the pregnancy, and fathers' demographic characteristics, including joint race/ethnicity and union status subgroups. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios of a birth being intended, estimated separately by father's union status at birth. Using comparable data and measures from the male and female NSFG surveys, we tested for gender differences intentions and happiness, and examined the sensitivity of our results to potential underreporting of births by men. Results Nearly four out of ten of births to men were reported as unintended, with significant variation by men's demographic traits. Non-marital childbearing was more likely to be intended among Hispanic and black men. Sixty-two percent of births received a 10 on the happiness scale. Happiness about the pregnancy varied significantly by intention status. Men were significantly happier than women about the pregnancies, with no significant difference in intention status. Potential underreporting of births by men had little impact on these patterns. Conclusions This study brings needed focus to men's childbearing intentions and improves our understanding of the context of their role as fathers. Men need to be included in strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Parents' experience of unintended childbearing: A qualitative study of factors that mitigate or exacerbate effects

“…More than one third of all births in the United States are reported as originating from an unintended pregnancy, and this proportion has changed very little over the past 25 years (Mosher et al, 2012; Lindberg and Kost, 2014a). The premise that unintended childbearing has significant negative effects for mothers and children strongly influences public health policy and much of current research on reproductive health and behavior (Institute of Medicine (2011); U.S.…”

Design and development of a film-based intervention about teenage men and unintended pregnancy: Applying the Medical Research Council framework in practice

“…Internationally, researchers and policy makers have called for targeted and scientifically evaluated RSE programmes (Downing, Jones, Cook, & Bellis, 2006;Oringanje et al, 2009;Swann, Bowe, McCormick, & Kosmin, 2003). In particular, the need for RSE interventions which meet the sexual health needs of young men has been prioritised (Juszczak & Ammerman, 2011;Saewyc, 2012) and teenage men have been especially neglected in relation to pregnancy related RSE (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2002;Lindberg & Kost, 2014;Marsiglio, 2006;Saewyc, 2012;Smith, Guthrie, & Oakley, 2005;Swann et al, 2003). When they do receive RSE concerning pregnancy, it is often via programmes and interventions that are directed towards girls and which ignore the fact that males and females are affected differently by gender norms and values relating to pregnancy.…”

Dual method use at last sexual encounter: a nationally representative, episode-level analysis of US men and women

“…Though some research examines heterosexual men’s sexual health [19–21], the literature overwhelmingly classifies men’s sexual “risk” as relating to STIs versus pregnancy, and thus rarely includes contraceptive information. Burgeoning research attends to men’s fertility intentions [22], but more in relationship to births than pregnancy prevention. Dual method use research almost always includes women alone [23], including the latest nationally representative analysis of dual method use [3].…”