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The neglected role of men in Family Planning

By Obaid-ul- Haq

The developed nations of the world enjoying their resources as most of the people have access to basic necessities of life where as in developing countries like Pakistan the people are deprived of basic necessities of life like food, shelter, drinking water and basic health needs.  The total fertility rate of Pakistan is 3.71 children born/women. In 1950 the Pakistan population was 33 million and Pakistan was the 14th largest nation of the world but in 2006 the population of Pakistan has increased to 160  million and become the 6th largest nation of the world Resources of our country will be demolished if the population of Pakistan increases with the same rate and we will become the largest nation of the world very soon. In 1950 Pakistan was pioneer among the developing countries in supporting family planning activities but despite of strong efforts the fertility rate remained high and contraceptive prevalence rate remain low. The roles and responsibilities of men in family planning and fertility regulations have been ignored, understudied and underutilized. For many years, family planning program planners have focused their attention largely on women's attitudes and behaviors in matters concerning reproduction. Thus the social roles of men who are dominate, not only within the family but also at community leadership levels has been ignored. The family planning is unsuccessful due to many reasons like poverty, low literacy rate, ineffective government policies, religious beliefs, inequity, and desire for more male children. Beside these, main reasons of ineffective family planning are that there are no separate family planning clinics for male, husband are not involve in family planning decision and there is little awareness among men regarding family planning.

There are no separate family planning clinics for male which refrain male from seeking family planning consultation. It is a fact that most family planning methods are for female use. There are limited contraceptive options for men.  The women bear the physical and emotional strain of pregnancy so that they should be consulted and involved in family planning activities, but family planning providers in general (governments and private) fail to address men's concerns and fears, which are different from that of women.  Family planning clinics are staffed by female and the cultural and social norms of our society are so that males are hesitant to seek help from females. A barrier to family planning services for men is the fact that family planning clinics are staffed by women, and most community based distribution and outreach programs use predominantly female agents. Many male clients feel more comfortable speaking to a male service provider or agent.  Efforts to increase counseling opportunities for men by using male provider and training female providers to counsel men is an important step in increasing men’s utilization of family planning services

The other reason of ineffective family planning is that husbands are not involved in family planning decision making process. Family planning is a joint spousal decision which is important to control population. As our society is male dominated and men are heads of their houses; they are over all responsible for their families. Husbands are decision-makers at family levels.  The husband decides upon most things, and his wife is expected to abide by his spoken decisions. This male dominated family structure has great influences in matters of reproduction and family planning. Most family planning programs offer and promote certain contraceptive methods, such as pills and injectables to be used by women. But the effectiveness and continuous use remains unsuccessful because of lack of approval from their husband. Men’s involvement in family planning decision-making is vital in shaping the reproductive behavior of women , use of contraceptives is much higher among women who believe that they have their husband’s support .Men as the husband in a couple’s life have an important say in decision-making about family size and use of contraceptives.

The other reason of ineffective family planning is little awareness in men regarding family planning. If in a society the norm and custom of the society do not allow discussing freely the family planning issue, and then it would be difficult for a person to get information about family planning. In our society discussion about sexuality and family planning is difficult. There for men are unaware of the family planning method and concept related to it. The media is not playing its role in creating awareness. The news paper and magazines are not read by the common people as fifty percent of our population is illiterate. The little awareness which is given by the television is not watched by the people as local TV channels are less watched by the peoples. In Indonesia family planning program become successful, due to many reasons one important aspect is the role of media in introducing the family planning program to the Indonesian people. In Kenya in Vasectomy Promotion Project, radio, television, and newspaper advertisements directed men to visit clinics. Without creating awareness by electronic, print and local media it is difficult to achieve effective family planning in Pakistan.

 To conclude, the fertility rate of Pakistan is high as compared to developed nation of the world. Pakistan is the 6trh largest nation of the world. The population is increasing due to ineffective family planning. The main reason of ineffective family planning is neglected role of men in family planning. There is no separate family planning clinics for males, male are not involved in decision making process of family planning and there is little awareness among men regarding family planning. The media is not playing its role in creating awareness among men regarding family planning. In my opinion, to gain the desired level of population, the problem of increasing population should be viewed from different angles. In our society the family planning will not be effective without creating awareness and involving men in activities of family planning at family and community level.