Most policy makers consider population policy to be a central part of any development policy. And yet surprisingly, it seems that access to contraception may not be the determining factor in the poor’s fertility decisions.
Most policy makers consider population policy to be a central part of any development program. And yet, unexpectedly, it seems that access to contraception may not be the determining factor in the poor's fertility decisions. So how can policy makers influence population?
Instead of contraception, other aspects like social norms, family dynamics, and above all, economic considerations, seem to play a key role, not only in how many children people choose to have, but how they will treat them. Discrimination against women and girls remain a central fact of the life for many poor families.
Going inside the "black box" of familial decision-making - that is, understanding how and why decisions are made the way they are - is essential to predicting the real impact of any social policy aimed at influencing population.
Most policy makers consider population policy to be a central part of any development program. And yet, unexpectedly, it seems that access to contraception may not be the determining factor in the poor's fertility decisions. So how can policy makers influence population?
Instead of contraception, other aspects like social norms, family dynamics, and above all, economic considerations, seem to play a key role, not only in how many children people choose to have, but how they will treat them. Discrimination against women and girls remain a central fact of the life for many poor families.
Going inside the "black box" of familial decision-making - that is, understanding how and why decisions are made the way they are - is essential to predicting the real impact of any social policy aimed at influencing population.