Factors affecting desired family size in Bangladesh
Kabir, M.; Amin, R.; Ahmed, A.U.; Chowdhury, J.
Journal of Biosocial Science 26(3): 369-395
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9320 PMID: 7929484 DOI: 10.1017/s0021932000021441Document Number: 563820
This article examines factors affecting desired family size in rural Bangladesh using data from contraceptive prevalence surveys conducted between 1983 and 1991. The analysis suggests that mothers having two sons and one daughter are more inclined to perceive their family as complete than those having three sons and no daughter. Logistic regression analysis indicates that important determinants of desire for more children are: age of women; current contraceptive use status; work status; and family planning worker's visits. The policy implications are discussed. Studies have found that couples have expressed a decided preference for having children of a particular sex. Although son preference is common in many developing countries, especially in South Asia, a preference for a balanced number of daughters and sons is also common. In Bangladesh, familial, social, economic and religious conditions favour sons. Infant and child mortality rates are relatively high and education levels are very low, particularly for women. These circumstances are typically associated with low contraceptive use and high fertility. Rural Bangladesh has a patrilineal and conservative society with less value attached to female than male children. Results show an overall decline in the desire for additional children between 1983 and 1991, particularly for women in older age groups, of higher parities, with low education and who have been visited by family planning workers. The factors which are hindering the women's welfare are the same factors that affect fertility in Bangladesh. Access to contraceptives, increased participation of women in the labour force and overall enhancement of women's status would help to reduce fertility in Bangladesh.