College Men, Unplanned Pregnancy, and Marriage: What Do They Expect?

Abstract

We conducted a qualitative content analysis of written responses from 148 college men to questions about pregnancy resolution and marriage in the event of an unplanned pregnancy. We used Marsiglio's (1991) concepts of procreative consciousness and responsibility as a source of theoretical sensitivity during data analysis. Men's written comments were analyzed using a modified version of the grounded theory method of open, axial, and selective coding. Three distinct groups emerged: “I expect to raise my child” (86.5%); “I don't expect to raise the child” (10.1%); and “I expect to let my partner decide” (3.4%). Several subgroups also emerged among men who intended to raise the unplanned child: Yes, I expect to get married; “No, I don't expect to get married”; “I don't know if we'd marry”; and “My partner and I would coparent.” Across subgroups, conditional variations and reasons underlying expectations were noted. Much variability was observed in men's descriptions of their procreative responsibility. A majority expressed high expectations for personal obligation and responsibility if involved in an unplanned pregnancy. Future research on men's sexual and reproductive health and procreative consciousness and responsibility are discussed.