Reproductive preferences and subsequent behaviour : the Sri Lankan experience
Date
1990
Authors
De Silva, Weraduwage Indralal
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Abstract
On the basis of data collected in the 1982 Sri Lanka Contraceptive Prevalence Survey and
a 1985 follow-up survey, the Sri Lanka Contraceptive Survey, reproductive preferences
of Sri Lankan women and the reliability of their preferences in predicting fertility
behaviour are examined. Wanted family size, ideal family size, desire for another child,
and preferred waiting time to the next birth were used as fertility preference indicators.
A preference for small families was widely evident, but few women wished to remain
childless or to have only one child. The proportion who wanted no more children rose
dramatically as the number of living children increased, and at a family size of three the
overwhelming majority wanted to cease childbearing. Even though there is moderate son
preference, this was not clearly related to use of contraception. A significant minority of
women who wanted to cease childbearing used no contraception, and the husband’s
disapproval of family planning was strongly related to non-use of contraception.
The main finding at the aggregate level is that 1982 statements on desire for another child
were highly accurate as predictors of subsequent aggregate fertility. The close
correspondence of aggregate level preferences and behaviour during 1982-85 was,
however, partly the result of many counterbalancing inconsistencies on the part of
individuals. Ability to control unwanted births among Sri Lankan women has increased
over time, but at the same time an increasingly large proportion were unable to have
births according to their expectations. Perhaps among those who wanted additional
children many deferred childbearing while seeking better economic opportunities.
Even though inconsistencies existed, statements on reproductive preferences w'ere fairly
reliable; the number of additional children wanted in 1982 was related to subsequent
fertility, which in turn modified women’s preferences in 1985. When the subsequent
fertility of women who wanted no more children in 1982 was examined, more of those
who believed that their husbands wanted additional children than of those who believed
otherwise reported births between the surveys.
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