Population Control in Puerto Rico: The Formal and Informal Framework

Abstract

A review of the history of birth control in Puerto Rico reveals that while contraception is legal it is not strongly supported either by the government or by society. Thus changes in the birth rate will depend in large measure on the attitudes and information of individuals and within families. The level of information about contraception is high with only 5% or less claiming no knowledge. However 25% of the women had learned about their first birth control method after 3 pregnancies although 90% of the men knew at least 1 method before marriage. Information about birth control is available through health clinics but it is only made available to those who show interest. Religious sanctions against birth control are largely ineffective in part because of the low influence of the Catholic Church. Social mores favoring large families are not as strong as was once thought. With the decline of the rural population children are no longer the economic asset they once were. Aspirations for their children have increased so that the ability to provide for ones children becomes more important. While many men still approve of the idea of machismo studies show that these men do not desire large families. In a study of ideal family size in 14 countries Puerto Rico with a stated ideal of 2 to 3 children was next to the lowest. Sterilization as a birth control method is very popular in Puerto Rico. However the effect of the many sterilizations is limited because in 1954 a majority of the women who under went the operation did so after their fourth pregnancy.) Changes in the birthrate the authors feel will depend on the use of nonsurgical methods. Without institutional support for birth control lack of consistent use of the chosen tecnhiques seems to be a major problem. Young well-educated urban families and nonrestrictive families where the wife enjoys a great deal of freedom seem most able to maintain consistency. For the future 2 types of educational programs seem to be needed: first a program to awaken interest in family planning and second a program of reinforcement and commitment to insure continued use.