Wealth flow and fertility decline in rural Kenya, 1981-92
Dow, T.E.; Archer, L.; Khasiani, S.; Kekovole, J.
Population and Development Review 20(2): 343-364
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-7921 DOI: 10.2307/2137522Document Number: 331300
In 1981 and 1992 identical questionnaires measuring lineal and lateral wealth flows and emotional nucleation were administered to comparable samples of male household heads in rural Kenya. The 1981 results, showing limited evidence of economic or emotional nucleation within the household, were consistent with the prevailing high fertility. By 1992, fertility had declined significantly but without a corresponding shift in nucleation levels. Economic and social forces appear to be depressing fertility in a similar way at all levels of nucleation. More specifically, it appears that severe economic constraints have necessitated a redefinition of affordable fertility levels in all subgroups and that a resurgent family planning programme has been able to supply the contraceptive means necessary to realize these reduced fertility intentions.