Men, Family Dynamics and Fertility Choices: The Barriers to Fertility Decline and Adoption of Contraception in Rural Rajasthan, India

Though all contraceptive methods are promoted through 'Cafeteria Approach' female sterilization continues to be the most preferred method. Despite widespread availability and ubiquitous, knowledge, other contraceptive methods are often not used regularly or effectively. Therefore, the factors determine fertility choices and adoption of contraceptive need to be studied to develop appropriate strategies for fertility decline. This paper analyses the role of men as impediments or facilitators of fertility control. Qualitative data collected in two villages in South Udaipur in 2006 and 2008 demonstrate that men’s attitudes to use of modern contraception are highly dependent on having at least one boy child and achieving ideal family size. Discussions during interviews show that young couple are living in environment in which they are in familial pressure of proving their fertility. Pregnancy follows soon after marriage and occurs mostly during adolescence. Sex of the first child decides about planning their future fertility. Couples needs to be empowered with knowledge about negative consequences of early pregnancy and motivate to cope up with the familial and societal pressure for early pregnancy by taking fertility related decisions to plan their actual fertility.