Women's networks and the social world of fertility behavior
Madhavan, S.; Adams, A.
International Family Planning Perspectives 29(2): 58-68
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0190-3187 PMID: 12783769 DOI: 10.2307/3181059Document Number: 247646
Context: Demographic phenomena occur within social contexts and, therefore, should be studied as social processes. However, how to conceptualize and measure the social worlds that individuals inhabit has been the subject of debate. Methods: Data from a study conducted in Mali during 1996-97 were used to explore the social networks of Bamanan women and their impact on fertility decisions. Ordinary least-squares and logistic regression techniques were employed to examine the relationship between selected household and social network characteristics and two fertility measures: children ever born and ever-use of contraceptives. Results: Household characteristics had no significant effect on either outcome, whereas network attributes did. The more prominently conjugal kin were represented in a network, the fewer children a woman has ever had; however, fertility increases if the husband or unrelated older women are part of the network. Ever-use of contraceptives was elevated if the woman participates in a credit scheme, and increased as the proportion of network members located outside the village increases; it declined sharply as the proportion of network members who are conjugal kin increases, and was significantly elevated if the woman's mother is present. Network effects on fertility were much more pronounced for women aged 30 or older than for younger women, and network effects on contraceptive use were markedly different for younger and older women. Conclusions: Programmes should consider not only women's individual and household characteristics, but also their larger social networks. Additionally, programmes should be designed for specific age-groups, given the different network effects on older and younger women.