Conjugal Unions among Rural Haitian Women

The nature and stability of conjugal unions among 425 rural Haitian women were investigated to determine the potential impact of family formation patterns on fertility. Births deaths migrations and union formations were recorded for a four-year interval. Interviews were conducted to corroborate this information and to explore related topics. Findings reflect relative instability of conjugal unions associated with a pattern of serial union formation. Considerable time spent by women out of active union combined with relatively late age at first entry into union appear to be important dampers on fertility in this population. (authors)