Navigating livelihood uncertainty: prevailing wisdoms guiding fertility preferences in rural Malawi
population health
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Issue: 1
(02 - 2018)
Context/Background: Malawi has experienced social and demographic change although economic
livelihoods remain characterized by uncertainty. Economic models of fertility posit shifts in the value of
children but the role of uncertainty in shaping prevailing wisdoms about good childbearing is often
overlooked.
Data Source and Methods: Thematic content analysis with 48 in-depth interviews collected with 29
women in Central Malawi at two time points during 2016.
Findings: Three dominant schema, or prevailing wisdoms, about good childbearing emerged as guiding
individuals through uncertain futures. When implemented, they can both encourage and discourage
further childbearing. Economic considerations are dominant in discussions of fertility goals but these
don’t always reflect individualistic calculations of available resources. Furthermore, normative
uncertainty can encourage less contingent fertility preferences.
Conclusion: How individuals navigate fertility goals matters for reducing unintended pregnancy, and for
economic and health policy. Investment in stable livelihoods, not just poverty alleviation, and expanded
family planning services represent long-term investments.
Keywords: fertility preferences; economics; uncertainty; postponement; qualitative
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