Sociology: Family Size Preference Among Married Couples
Chapter One
Objectives of the Study
- To determine the basic factors that motivates family in the choice of family size.
- To find out how this preference affect the family member and society.
- To suggest solutions with the view of eradicating the socio-economic inconveniences on the family member and the society.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Empirical Review on Family Size Preference
There have been quite a lot of studies on fertility behaviour and family size determination, including the various variables affecting the upward or downward, large or small, ideal or actual family size preferences among married couples (Arthur 2005; Yidana et al, 2015; Li, Wi, Dow & Rosero-Bixby; Adesola, 2012; Kinfu, 2000). However, findings emanating from some of those studies have been mixed. In line with the objectives of these current study, the following studies are hereby teased out and reviewed empirically. Dibaba and Mitike (2016) conducted a study titled “Factors Influencing Desired Family Size among Residents of Assela Town”. The study adopted a community-based cross-sectional research design spanning between March 25 and April 4, 2013. A total of 428 residents were included in the study. The age of women ranged from 15 to 49 years and men above 15 years. The desired family size was determined using mean score. Respondents were asked to determine which factors were influential on their desired family size. Descriptive analysis, 95% CI and multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the relationship between the independent variables and desired family size. After recording the variables, logistic regression was used to see the association between family size preference and predictor. Among the major findings, it was discovered that women belonging to Protestant and Catholic religious groups had relatively lower mean desired family size when compared to those following orthodox Christian and Muslim. Also, respondents who had primary education desired higher family size than those who had more than secondary education. The study concluded that it was quite possible that increasing educational level and age at marriage might influence couples to desire lower family size. Educational level and knowledge of family planning affected family size preferences. Similarly, James and Isiugo-Abanihe (2010) carried out a study to examine Adolescents’ Reproductive Motivations and Family Size Preferences in North-Western Nigeria. A community-based and cross-sectional research design was adopted. Primary data were obtained using quantitative methods. A survey of 1,175 adolescents aged 12-19 years was carried out, using multi-stage sampling techniques involving States, Local Government Areas (LGAs), towns/villages, main streets, houses, households and individuals. Frequency distribution, multiple classifications, chi-square, and regression analyses were used for data analysis. The results of the current study show that gender, residence, ethnic origin, religion, educational level, knowledge and approval of contraceptive methods were significantly associated with family size preferences (p preferences among the major religious faiths of Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal. However, the study showed that 3 (50%) of adherents of Islamic and Traditional religions said they desired to have 7 children and above. The Roman Catholic respondents showed the least contraceptive usage while those who attained tertiary education desired fewer children than those with primary and secondary educational levels. Unemployed respondents and civil servants preferred to have 0-3 children on the average. Marital status, place of residence and use of contraception were the other factors that had significant influences on family size preference (p even though religion is a factor, it is not so much a major factor to determine family size among educated women. Only 42 (23.3%) of the respondents indicated that their educational background had contributed to the choice of their desired family size. One would have expected that educational background would have played a greater role in the decision of these women to have a particular family size. These health professional are aware of the risks and problems associated with a large family size and so are supposed to be educationally primed but from this study, 76.7% did not agree that their educational background had an influence on their family size decision.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Sociology: family size preference among married couples. 4 communities in Kaduna South Local Government form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Sociology: family size preference among married couples. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Sociology: family size preference among married couples
Summary
This study was on Sociology: family size preference among married couples. two objectives were raised which included: To determine the basic factors that motivates family in the choice of family size, to find out how this preference affect the family member and society and to suggest solutions with the view of eradicating the socio-economic inconveniences on the family member and the society. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from selected residents in Kaduna state. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
The main objective of the study is to examine the Sociology: family size preference among married couples. When other factors like son preference, age of women, age of husband, age of women at marriage, work status of women and fertility, region of residence, place of residence, consanguineous marriages, fertility intention (Ideal family Size), child mortality, polygyny, husband/wife’s desire for more children, wealth index and marital duration are held constant, the trio, namely: religious beliefs and orientations, the current monthly income and educational attainment of the respondents had impact factor on the family size preference. In other words, socio-economic factors of the married couples acting independently or jointly with other variables in the university community could predispose them to opt for a particular family size. In view of the findings emanating from this study, the university-based religious associations and the various fellowship leaders should intensify their education on the need to maintain moderate, standard and manageable family size. This is regardless of gender preference in the family
Recommendation
- Every couple should be encouraged to visit the family planning service providers so as to enlighten the couples on various family planning choices that will meet their economic status.
- Societies and communities should give a couple of advice to their neighbours on the importance of family planning
- Religious leaders should encourage their followers on the needs for family planning choice as related to their holy book.
- Community leaders should discourage the habit of not having family planning choice in their cultural norms.
- Federal Government should build Reproductive Health Centres, where family planning education would be given to couples on the choice of family planning for both educated and non-educated couples.
References
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