SEX PREFERENCE AND FAMILY PLANNING PRACTICES IN YAKURR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Author(s): MICHAEL ANAKE USHIE, UDE BASSEY OBETEN, ISOKON BROWN EGBE, USHIE ALORYE
Institute(s): 1,2,3 Department of Social Work, University of Calabar; 4 Department of Environmental Education, University of Calabar
Volume 2021 / Issue 2
Abstract
The paper examines sex preference and family planning practice among people of Yakurr in Cross River State, Nigeria. The study adopts a descriptive methodology and the findings provides insights into the attitudes of people towards sex preference and their decisions to adopt family planning practice. The preference for a particular sex, and decisions to adopt family planning options irrespective of education, exposure and status is based on social, cultural and religious practices exacerbate sex preference. These includes, the continuity of the lineage through the male child; social values in having a preferred sex, property, ignorance and stigmatization among others. The desire of parents to have a particular sex increases the family size and population growth because parent jettison family planning options. These affect parents emotionally and result in depression and alienation from society because of inability to produce a male child. The paper therefore, recommends that efforts should be made to create sustained awareness and sensitization, enlightenment campaign and social work interventions through counselling programmes to help curb and eradicate the harmful cultural belief and practices for child preference especially the male child as well as encourage family planning
Number of Pages: 15
Number of Words: 5814
First Page: 191
Last Page: 205