Education and Reproductive Autonomy: The Case of Married Nigerian Women.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101603418 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2157-1740 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 21571740 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Narrat Inq Bioeth Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: Baltimore, MD : Johns Hopkins University Press, 2011-
    • Subject Terms:
      Decision Making* ; Health Education* ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice* ; Marriage* ; Personal Autonomy* ; Reproduction* ; Women's Rights*; Adult ; Culture ; Developing Countries ; Educational Status ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nigeria ; Power, Psychological ; Pregnancy ; Socioeconomic Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult
    • Abstract:
      In this article, we examine the influence of education on the exercise of married women's reproductive autonomy. We carried out 34 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with purposively sampled married Ikwerre women in Rivers State, Nigeria. The participants were between the ages of 22 and 60, had different educational backgrounds, and were in monogamous and polygynous marriages. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA 11 software. We found that although formal education enhanced women's ability to exercise reproductive autonomy, the culture of demanding absolute respect for men remains a major barrier. Formal education provides women with the knowledge that they need in order to access adequate health services for themselves and their children. Participants also believed that educating men was critical for the exercise of women's reproductive autonomy. The cultural aspects that promote female subordination and patriarchy should be addressed more openly in Nigeria.
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20171219 Date Completed: 20180727 Latest Revision: 20191210
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1353/nib.2017.0071
    • Accession Number:
      29249717