The value of children : perceptions of Fijian form six students in Fiji's Central Division

Abstract

The survey conducted in February, 1987 obtained data on the perceptions of the value of children amongst 351 Form Six students of six moderately sized and predominantly indigenous Fijian secondary schools in the Central Division

of Fiji. underlying The study attempts to explain the motivations underlying the existing high fertility level amongst the indigeneous Fijians in Fiji.

It was found that although most females wanted a smaller family size than their male counterparts, all respondents indicated the importance of economic benefits of children

particularly old age old age support and the traditional benefits from

children which are

the props for the perpetuation of high fertility. Most respondents also recognised the financial cost as a major disvalue in having children. It was also found that there was widespread knowledge of the existence

of

the different

methods of contraception and positive attitudes towards the concept of family planning particularly amongst females and rural students. Although knowledge of contraception was not of great depth, most students favoured the use of contraception to prevent having more children. On the basis of the findings of this study it was concluded that until there were changes in the motivations, particularly the reliance on children for old age support, the high fertility level will persist in Fiji. Furthermore there is a need to address the misconceptions, misinformation and ignorance of the young people in Fiji regarding the

effectiveness of the different contraceptive methods and also the mechanics of conception.