Modernity and Acceptance of Family Limitation in Four Developing Countries

The relationship between the causally linked variables of modernizing experiences overall psychological modernity and acceptance of the rightness of family limitation are analyzed for their effects upon birth rates in modernizing societies. The theoretical basis of this causal relationship is examined; prior relevant research is summarized; and the results of a new empirical analysis of data from the Modernization Project at Stanford University are presented. Project data from East Pakistan India Israel and Nigeria are used to assess the effects of modernizing experiences and overall psychological modernity upon acceptance of birth control. The principal finding is that although experiences with modern institutions such as the school and the factory have some impact on acceptance of the principle of family limitation experiences with modern institutions are mostly associated with birth control when they also correlate with modern attitudes especially belief in the value of science technology and medicine. In other words institutional change must be accompanied by change in attitudes and values. Thus it is risky to assume that urbanization by itself will reduce birth rates. Also a good case can be made for the position that birth control practice can be shaped through influencing values and attitudes.