IUSSP Debate:

"If the wife says that she wants no more births, but the husband does want another birth, can one necessarily say that her subsequent pregnancy is unwanted? Yes or no?" 

Monday 8 November 2021

16:00 - 17:15 UTC 

The IUSSP Scientific Panel on Couples' Reproductive Health and Fertility 
organized a debate on the following topic:

• "If the wife says that she wants no more births, but the husband does want another birth, can one necessarily say that her subsequent pregnancy is unwanted? Yes or No?”

Four debaters took turns debating alternately in favor of one of the two positions: Suzana Cavenaghi and Sunday Adedini argued "yes", while Francis Dodoo and K.G. Santhya argued "no". The webinar was introduced by Stan Becker, the chair of the IUSSP Panel on Couples' Reproductive Health and Fertility, and moderated by Ambrose Akinlo. Neetu John provided a synthesis and closing remarks.

The webinar included Q&A with the audience, who was invited to cast their vote in favor of one of the arguments at the end of the debate.

The presentation files are below:

• No, a pregnancy CANNOT be considered unwanted just because wife SAID she wants no more births! (KG Santhya & Francis Dodoo)

• Yes, If the wife says that she wants no more births, but the husband does want another birth, her subsequent pregnancy should be considered as “unwanted” (Suzana Cavenaghi)

• Yes, If the wife says that she wants no more births, even though the husband does want another birth, her subsequent pregnancy should be regarded as unwanted (Sunday Adedini)

The questions and comments in the written Q&A are here.

The result of the attendees post-debate poll are below: 

Introduction

Moderator

Debaters

Synthesis and closing remarks