Effects of nuptiality and family planning on fertility
Abou-gamraa, H.
Egyptian Population and Family Planning Review 14(1): 12-21
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 1110-1156 PMID: 12312119 Document Number: 412286
Focus in this discussion is on marriage and marital fertility control factors. It is known that fertility change in response to a change of an intermediate variable varies among variables. The objective here is to assess the effect of the different variables. The effect of each intermediate variable can be studied by using some demographic models or by investigating empirical data. Demographic models can be used either to simulate a real situation or an unreal situation. Models are useful to represent cases which are expected in the future. For the assessment of the effect of nuptiality change on fertility, nuptiality models recently developed by Coale are very useful. It was observed that the 1st marriage frequencies conform to a curve of the same shape in different populations if these frequencies are adjusted to have the same minimum age at marriage, the same pace at which marriage occurs, and the same proportion of the ever married at high ages. Results show that fertility will decline slightly in response to raising the minimum age of marriage. The effect of birth control on fertility is self evident because through birth control one may suspend or stop participation in the reproductive process. The following conclusions have been reached; nuptiality and birth control are the most effective intermediate variables; slowing down the tempo of marriage or raising the minimum age of marriage result in a small reduction in fertility level; the prevalence of celibacy has a significant influence on fertility, but it is not culturally acceptable and has undesired social effects; and the prevalence of contraceptive use is the most influential factor for reducing the fertility level.