ATTITUDE OF MALE TOWARD FAMILY PLANNING IN RURAL

AREAS OF DIR LOWER

Proposal for Research Project

KINAN PASHA
District Population Welfare Officer
Dir Lower
22th January 2021
ATTITUDE OF MALE TOWARD FAMILY PLANNING IN RURAL
AREAS OF DIR LOWER
Proposal for Research Project

KINAN PASHA
District Population Welfare Officer Dir Lower
22th January 2021

INTRODUCTION
Pakistan is currently confronting enormous challenge of uncontrolled growth
of population. The important role of men in reproductive decision making and
its effect on contraceptive consumption behavior of couples has been
increasingly recognized as a subject of interest in the global context (Bankole;
Sing, 1993). In Pakistan, where men play an important role in family decision
making and perceived as those disapproving the use of contraception, it is of
interest to study issues relating to men’s motivation and involvement in the
use of family planning. It is generally recognized that the issue of male
involvement in family planning has not received due attention in the
formulation of Pakistan’s population programmers. Most demographic surveys
in the past have collected data on women alone, and information on men’s
attitudes and knowledge about family planning is quite limited. With the recent
downward shift observed in Pakistan’s fertility from 6.3 in 1975 to 4.8 in 2000-
01, and a notable increase in contraceptive use from a low level of 14 percent
in 1990-91 to about 28 percent in the year 2000-01, it appears that men must
have contributed to some extent in catalyzing the change in fertility and
contraceptive use behavior. To better understand whether men have played a
role in reproductive decision making and have contributed to the increase in
contraceptive use, it is important to study their attitudes and motivations
concerning family planning and its use.

The Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey of 1990-91 provided

information on husbands’ knowledge and attitudes about fertility related
questions, which permitted the assessment of men’s involvement in the use of
family planning. Based on those data, some studies have documented that
men’s views about contraceptive use are positive and that the percentage of
wives and husbands who approve of family planning does not differ much
(Mahmood; Ringhiem, 1996).

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In the context of Pakistani society, the male is considered as the prime
breadwinner and provider of food and shelter for his family. These roles of the
family system and the community are determined according to family
structure. Pakistani society, being patriarchal in nature, has typical
characteristics which emphasize the lineage bond over the conjugal tie. The
core of the social relations is based on biraderi (relatives and members of the
same cast or group) and family institutions (Shah, 1987-1996).

As men play a prominent role in reproduction, it is therefore its useful to

assess and encourage them to be involved them in adopting the
contraception methods particularly in developing countries, where
contraceptive goals have not been reached ever. Since 1990, researchers
around the world have used Department of Homeland Security data to
investigate unmet need for family planning. This review focuses on studies
that assess factors influencing the use of family planning methods. The
twentieth century witnessed the birth of modern ‘family planning’ and its
evolution from an early target of anti-obscenity laws (Comstock, 1873) to a
focus of global efforts to improve human welfare (Cleland, 2006).

The traditional beliefs as well as distinct responsibilities and roles of husbands

and wives within the family have influenced the range and control of
reproductive decision-making. Men are expected to have the information and
expertise as well as the financial power to implement their decisions. Although
many families have started to operate outside the family norms and
westernization has now started influencing the society, yet there is a strong
influence still of family bonds on the initiation of family life and reproductive
behavior (Sather; Casterline, 1998).

A man may make an individual choice but he will have to ensure that his
choice is acceptable to kinship group and the community (Piet, et 1999). Due
to the low socioeconomic position of women in the family, most husbands are
able to assert their preferences and influence women’s attitudes towards
family planning behavior. In the developing world, a substantial gap exists
between women’s stated reproductive preferences and their use of
contraception. This incongruity is referred to as the unmet need for family
planning (Bongaarts; Bruce, 1995).

Remarkably, the total fertility rate in developing countries also fell by more
than half over this period (Sinding, 2007). Academics have long debated the
primary forces responsible for global fertility decline and in particular, the
contribution made by family planning programs. One view largely credits
family planning programs directly (Bongaarts;Sinding, 2000-2012). Others
give them less credit, arguing that fertility decline largely reflects reductions in

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the demand for children, even if aided by family planning programs (Pritchett,
1994). These demand-side factors include economic development, gains in
education, industrialization, and an increase in the opportunity cost of time
generally (and for women in particular) (Breierova; Duflo, 2004). Expectations
about future labor market conditions and relative and falling infant and child
mortality rates (Angeles. S, 2010).

A third view, promoted in part by the European Fertility Project, emphasizes

the importance of social networks in facilitating the diffusion of ‘cultural
innovations,’ including the social acceptability of small families (Coale;
Watkins, 1986). The development of less positive or more so negative attitude
towards family planning among rural respondents is not probably due to their
low educational levels (Baba 1990). The high appreciation for female
contraceptive measures was probably due to lack of adequate knowledge
about male contraceptive including male sterilization/ vasectomy (Gupta et al.
2004). The rigid traditional concept of male superiority and dominance were
also found to be the underlying factors for high acceptance of female
contraceptive measures, a tradition more sternly enforced by female folk
(Sahawnch, 1982).

However, the exact power equation behind the screen of family life is difficult
to specify in most instances. The evidence shows that mothers have the
leverage for deciding about marriage and education of their children, but other
decisions such as when to have children, or how many, may be difficult to
specify because this requires detailed information on the changes in the
events that occur and how these are decided about and managed. It is also
observed that most couples do not talk to each other about having or not
having children due to shyness and cultural barriers and most men believe
that their own decisions are the best for both (Khan, 1997).

Moreover, restricted by socio-cultural norms, most women rely on their

husbands to bring information about family matters into the home, particularly
about family planning in terms of the timing and choice of method to be used.
Thus, age at marriage, education, age difference between husband and wife,
and the type of family in which both are living are some of the indicators that
can be used as proxies for assessing men’s influence in the family and related
decision-making. It may be noted here that there are marked differences in
the socio-economic characteristics of men and women which are indicative of
their status and position in society. For example, the average difference of
age at marriage of a woman and a man is nearly 4 years. The literacy level
among men is 54.81 percent as compared to the 32.02 percent for women
(Pakistan, 2001). The participation rate in the labour force for men is 70.5
percent as compared to just 13.9 percent for women (Pakistan,1997-98).

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Pakistani men are not supportive of family planning, and husband’s opposition
to the use of contraception is cited as an important reason for non-use by
many women (National Institute for Physiological Science, 1992).

1.1 Statement of The Problem

Population growth is paramount and challenging problem in Pakistani society
being patriarchal and under developing society the problem of overpopulation
hampering the overall growth and progress of our society. Pakistan population
is growing with annual growth of 2.4% and with fertility rate of 3.6% (Census
report, 2017). In this regards the men attitudes towards family planning is
instrumental in order to curb the rapid and unspur population growth with
vibrant family planning. Usually in patriarchal society male members is key
decision maker in family sphere. The existing research study determines and
unearths the factors behinds male attitudes towards family planning program
in rural area. Through this serious academic endeavor of extensive research
study is vital in exploring the factors which affecting the decision of family
planning program in rural setting.

1.2 Objective of the Study

The study will be conducted to pursue the following objective
1. To explore the factors hamper family planning in rural areas of Dir
Lower.
2. To find out the perceptions of men towards family planning in research
locale.
3. To investigate the Consequences/impacts of family planning program.

1.3 Research Question

1. What are the key factors that are resisting family planning program?
2. What is the role of family planning in research locale?
3. What is the opinion of men towards family planning?

1.4 Significance of the Study

The research activity is serious and through academic effort to highlight the
glaring and uncontrollable population growth which is the ultimate result of
weak family planning program. In this connection proposed research is very
crucial because this research study investigates the causation factors behind
the rapid population growth due the weak family planning program in rural

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setting. The exploration of real reasons and facts and figures carried out from
this study can draw the attention of policy makers and national and
international organizations researches and civil society.

METHODOLOGY
A descriptive cross-sectional study design will be adopted to assess the study
indicators; self-administered questionnaire will be developed as data
collection toll that will provide information with reasonable precision. Statistical
software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26
package will be used to analyzing data and test the validity and reliability for
detail report writing.

2.1 Sampling Method

The sample size will be chosen by stratified random sampling. The sample for
the study will selected in the rural areas of Dir (Lower). A total of 100 men will
select local settings. Stratified random sampling method will have adopted to
approach the desired sample. Which is categorized according into four
groups. Accordingly, equal numbers respondents (i.e. 25 men) will randomly
selected from each group in the research locale.

2.2 Sample Size

Sample size of the study will be consisting of 100 respondents from diverse
areas of Dir (Lower).

2.3 Tools of Data Collection

Questionnaire will develop to collect Data. It had both the closed and open
ended questions to have both specific and in depth information. Secondary
data was collected from secondary sources, various authentic documents,
reports, and official records of the Government of Pakistan, Government of
KP, Nongovernmental organizations in the districts and the libraries, books,
articles in journals, census reports, UN reports, online books, published and
unpublished articles and books.

2.4 Universe of the study

In formulating a research design, the most important step is the selection of
universe. Universe is the theoretical and hypothetical aggregation of all
elements as define for a given research (Earl Babbie, 1994). The universe is

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the collection of all elements (either known or unknown from which a sample
is drawn for the purpose of conducting social research (Baker.1994). Universe
of the present study will be rural areas of lower Dir including, Uc Lajbouk, Uc
Munjai, Uc Khal, Uc Khama.

2.5 Source of Data Collection

In this research study the source of data collection will be all those males
respondents which are married in the age of 20-40. The data will be either in
questionnaire form or recorded interviews which are conducted in the district
Dir (lower).

2.6 Data Analysis

The data will be analyzed on statistical package for the social sciences
software.

2.7 Delimitations of The Study

 It will be very difficult to interview illiterate people in the rural areas of
Dir (Lower)
 This research wills undeniably overheads a large quantity of money.
 Devising a suitable and proper sample size is also an extremely tough
task to do in this research.
 Judgment of correct literature is also not easy to find.

2.8 Ethical Consideration

The researcher is morally bound by research ethics and researcher should be

truthful, demonstrate courtesy and respect for humans rights.The
confidentiality of the information supplied by research subjects and the
anonymity of the respondent must be respected. The collected data will be
kept confidential and will be used for the research propose.

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REFERENCES
1. Azhar, Muhammad, and Gilbet (1977). Change and Differentials in Men’s
Knowledge of towards and Practice of Family Planning in Pakistan During
1960s.
2. Bankole, A; Susheela (1993). Couples’ Fertility and Contraceptive
Methods for Men.
3. Becker, S (1996). Couples and Reproductive Health.
4. Bhatti, M, and A Hakim (1996). Men’s Attitude and Motivation for Family
Planning in Pakistan. First Report, National Institute of Population Studies.
5. Douthwaite, M. (1998). Male Involvement in Family Planning and
Reproductive Health in Pakistan. Population Council.
6. Ezeh, A. C. (1993). The Influence of Spouses over Each Other’s
Contraceptive Attitudes in Ghana.
7. Karra, K. N., Stark, and J. Wolf (1997). Five Generations of Men
Involvement in Family Planning.
8. Khan, M. E, I. Khan and N. Mukherjee (1997). Involving Men in Safe
Motherhood.
9. Khorrum, S. (1997). Involving Men in Reproductive Health.
10. Mahmood, N. (1998). Reproductive Goals and Family Planning Attitudes in
Pakistan: A Couple Level Analysis.

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