In Nigeria, Family Size Governs Which Spouse's Fertility Desires Prevail

Abstract

It is argued that the study results of Nigerian Yoruba couples reflect a fairly typical pattern in patriarchal societies about a wifes deference to the husbands family size desires early in marriage. After several children the wife attains family acceptance and would be more willing to defend her family size desires. The analysis was based on data collected in 1984 and 1986 surveys among 2662 monogamous Yoruba couples from Oyo state in Nigeria. The Yoruba population is viewed by the researcher as typical of patriarchal societies in sub-Saharan Africa. 73% of couples had at least 3 living children. About 75% of both men and women desired more children. 8% of women and 10% of men desired a stop to childbearing. 49% of couples had another child between 1984 and 1986. The proportions of men and women desiring more children declined between surveys as age number of living children and duration of marriage increased. Women with a primary education were more likely to have a desire for additional children and to have had a pregnancy or birth during 1984-86. Fertility between surveys was directly related to each spouses fertility desires. The proportion of couples having a child between surveys was greater among couples with 4 or fewer children. Where couples disagreed about the desire for an additional child the proportion having a subsequent birth did not vary by which partner wanted additional children. Among couples who agreed to have additional children or to stop childbearing the proportion who had an additional child was higher among families with 4 or fewer children. Among couples that disagreed couples with smaller families were more likely to have another child if the husband wanted another child. Couples with larger families were less likely to have another child if the husband wanted one. Logistic models confirmed bivariate findings. Couples who agreed to have another child were 6 times more likely to have another child. Couples who disagreed were only 3 times more likely.