“Not a Boy, Not a Child”: A Qualitative Study on Young People’s Views on Childbearing in Uganda
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Date
2010
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African journal of reproductive health
Abstract
To understand reasons for persistent high fertility rate, we explored perceptions and influences of fertility
motivation among young people from Uganda. Qualitative inquiry was used, data were organised using NVivo 2
package and latent content analysis performed. Major themes that emerged on factors that entrench high fertility
included “Sustenance of ‘men’s blood’ through the male child”; “poverty, joblessness and child bearing”, and
“other socio-cultural issues: religion, kin, elders and child bearing”. Factors that reduce fertility included
“perception on women emancipation, job security and couple fertility communication”. Young peoples’ views on
motivation for childbearing in Uganda are embedded in cultural norms and linked strongly to patriarchy, social
respectability and women’s sustenance. Innovative cultural practices and programs that increase women’s social
respectability such as emphasis that a girl can be heir and inherit her father’s property are needed to reduce sonpreference
and fertility rates in the younger generation (Afr J Reprod Health 2010; 14[1]:71-81).
Description
Keywords
Fertility, Young people, Childbearing, Male child, High fertility rates
Citation
Beyeza-Kashesya, J., Neema, S., Ekstrom, A. M., & Kaharuza, F. (2010). “Not a Boy, Not a Child”: A qualitative study on young people’s views on childbearing in Uganda. African journal of reproductive health, 14(1).