‘Why give birth to many children when you cannot take care of them?’ Determinants of family size among dual-earner couples in Ghana
Date
2022
Authors
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Publisher
SAGE
Abstract
The family size in Ghana is increasingly changing from large to small family sizes due
to modernization. As societies become modernized, couples begin to limit their family
size despite the high value society places on children in marriage and the family. In
this study, we explore the factors influencing reproductive behaviour among Ghanaian
dual-earner couples by highlighting the subjective views on factors that influence the
number of children they have or hope to have as a couple. A qualitative approach was
used to collect and analyse data. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews with
47 dual-earner couples from rural and urban communities selected from five regions in
Ghana. Twenty key informant interviews were held with community leaders to provide
the social context of the study areas. The data were analysed thematically. The study
observed that there were no differences in the factors influencing family size in rural
and urban communities in Ghana. Also, the findings are consistent with previous studies
that identified factors such as the cost of raising children and women’s participation in
the labour force although the meanings and interpretations that couples attribute to
these factors have changed slightly. Couples’ family size was influenced by the need
to ensure a comfortable life for their children. Access to modern contraceptives and
infertility also came up as influencing family size. Overall, the changing family size among
dual earner couples can be attributed to a combination of factors that are interrelated
and interdependent.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Dual-earner couple, family size, gender, Ghana, reproductive health