How the Number of Living Sons Influences Contraceptive Use in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Couples in rural areas of many Arab societies, including Egypt, have consistently reported strong preferences for having sons. However, these reported preferences are not always reflected in reproductive behavior. In 38 rural villages in Menoufia Governorate in Egypt, women's responses to a community-based contraceptive distribution program were examined, taking into consideration both the number of living children and the number of living sons each women reported having. Controlling for number of living children, women with more sons were more likely to be using contraception before the distribution program began. Among women not using contraception before the program, those with more sons were more likely to initiate contraceptive use and were more likely to continue use for a nine-month period following the distribution. These findings imply that in addition to obstacles related to contraceptive availability, there are several cultural, social, and economic factors that influence fertility behavior and exert considerable pressure on married couples to have large families, including several sons. Unless the pressure exerted by these factors is changed or reduced, the impact of family planning programs is likely to reach a plateau at a relatively low prevalence level.

Perception and practice of contraception among male soldiers in Sobi barracks, Ilorin, Nigeria

“…In many African societies, males are valued more highly than females and therefore couples tend to aim for the birth and survival of at least a son 19,20 . This is particularly pronounced in the traditional societies where sons are needed to maintain the family lineage, assist the family economically and provide parents with social security in old age 21,22,23 . This implies that receptivity to contraception and willingness to use contraceptives could be influenced by the number of living sons a couple has.…”

Birth Interval and the Sex of Children in a Traditional African Population: An Evolutionary Analysis

“…These results strongly suggest that parents are making active decisions with respect to the length of the birth interval, even in a society with no access to artificial methods of contraception. Gadalla, McCarthy & Campbell (1985) found that the number of sons a woman had in her first two births was a very significant predictor of whether or not that woman would use contraception, in an Egyptian population. The more sons women had, the more likely they were to use contraception.…”

Contraception in Jordan: a cultural and religious perspective

“…In both urban and rural areas, children contribute to the family income by performing a variety of jobs including farming, construction, repair, and other tasks of unskilled labour. Children, particularly sons, are a source of economic security for the parents in their old age (Gadalla et al 1985). Sons also provide physical security for the extended family as well as political strength and social prestige (Faour 1989).…”

“…The influence of number of children on the contraceptive behaviour of women could be related to the family pressure to have a second child because of the fear that an only child may die and leave the parents childless (Faour 1989). After the second child is born, the pressure to have additional children diminishes (Gadalla et al 1985), permitting the woman to make a decision to use a contraceptive method.…”