Abstract
In light of recent research demonstrating the substantial impact of family planning programs on fertility a multivariate model of the determinants of national differences in family program effort are estimated and developed. The framework that guides the specification of this model identifies three broad classes of factors--those that create demand for family planning those that facilitate the initiation and expansion of family planning programs and finally those that encourage or inhibit program development. The results from multiple regression using 84 less developed countries indicate that demand for family planning facilitating infrastructure and certain demographic and geographic factors are important determinants of program effort. These results suggest that popular demand for family planning is helpful but that policy makers must perceive the adverse consequences of high fertility and have the infrastructure necessary to develop an effective organized family planning program. Current U.S. policies relevant to reducing birth rates are found to reflect quite well research on determinants of fertility declines among less developed countries. Policies that affect the infrastructure and increase motivation for smaller families are those policies that generate activities that increase literacy public health economic well-being change traditional sex roles provide alternatives to traditional kinship domination of individual couple reproductive decisions and decrease the husbands authority over reproductive decisions. There are also policies which directly effect the implementation of population programs that reduce fertility. Policies affecting program development are those that specify what types of program activities are encouraged or discouraged. U.S. policy also balances the often competing claims of family planners and their opponents by encouraging support to both developmental projects as well as direct aid to family planning program activities. (authors modified)
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