Some socio-cultural factors influencing fertility behaviour: a case study of Yoruba women.

Publisher: The Society Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8702454 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0266-3880 (Print) Linking ISSN: 02663880 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Biol Soc

Original Publication: London : The Society, 1984-[1990]

Child* ; Culture* ; Data Collection* ; Educational Status* ; Ethnicity* ; Family Characteristics* ; Fertility* ; Sex* ; Social Values* ; Women's Rights*; Africa ; Africa South of the Sahara ; Africa, Western ; Behavior ; Demography ; Developing Countries ; Economics ; Nigeria ; Population ; Population Characteristics ; Population Dynamics ; Psychology ; Research ; Sampling Studies ; Social Class ; Socioeconomic Factors

Indexing Agency: IND Local ID #: 8013865. Indexing Agency: PIP Local ID #: 061602. Indexing Agency: POP Local ID #: 00193199.
Keywords: Africa; Africa South Of The Sahara; Behavior; Child Worth*; Cultural Background*; Culture*; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Economic Factors; Educational Status--women*; English Speaking Africa; Ethnic Groups*; Family And Household; Family Characteristics; Family Size; Family Size, Desired*; Family Size, Ideal*; Fertility; Fertility Determinants*; Microeconomic Factors; Nigeria; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Psychological Factors; Research Methodology; Sampling Studies; Sex Preference*; Socioeconomic Factors; Socioeconomic Status; Studies; Surveys*; Value Orientation*; Western Africa; Women's Status*
Note: TJ: BIOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Local Abstract: [PIP] The sociocultural factors impacting on fertility behavior among the Yoruba of Nigeria were investigated in a sample of 330 women, 199 from Ife-Ife urban area and 131 from 3 rural villages also in the Oranmiyan Local Government Area. All study participants were Yoruba women married to Yoruba men who had at least 1 child; their mean age was 34.5 years and 41% had no education. The study was conducted during 1987. The responses confirmed the close link between marriage and procreation in this culture. Children are valued as a source of prestige to a woman, and childless women are stigmatized. The reasons for which children are valued were found to vary according to educational level. 77% of women with no education compared with 41% of those with high levels of education value children as a source of caretaking in old age. In contrast, 44% of highly educated women versus 11% of uneducated women valued children as a source of joy. Educated women were also more likely than women with no education to view motherhood as a means of fulfilling God's command to continue the human race. In terms of sex preference, higher percentages of educated and urban women wanted their 1st child to be a male and son preference has strong religious, legal, and social status significance in the Yoruban culture. However, all respondents indicated they wanted to have children of both sexes. More information on sociocultural factors examined in this study is needed to help in the design of a population policy for the Yoruba.

Date Created: 19891201 Date Completed: 19910415 Latest Revision: 20211203

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