PIP: It is generally believed that extended families encourage high fertility, but a review of the theoretical discussions and empirical research examining the relationship between family type and fertility fails to show any support for the customary belief. Nuclear families consist of husband, wife, and their immediate children. The extended family is broadly defined as any group of related persons living together which includes but is larger than the nuclear family. The main theoretical discussions of extended family and fertility are by Davis (1957); Davis and Blake (1956); Lorimer (1954); and Goode (1963; 1964). In the patrilocal extended family, the wife wants to have offspring as early as possible to strengthen the family line and her own status in the household. In a truly joint household the authority of the elders continues after marriage; the reproductive behavior of a couple is subject to their influence. Less intimate or less intense interspousal communication precludes the possibility of discussion on fertility-related problems and family planning. Younger age at marriage and lack of privacy contributes to higher fertility. According to Goode extended family behavior is characterized by more rules for behavior, while nuclear families emphasize the conjugal bond. Since most affinal and consanguineal kin are excluded from day-to-day decisions in the nuclear family there are weaker reciprocal controls.
PIP: A deworming/family planning project funded by JOICFP was successfully initiated in Kerling Estate, Kuala Kubu Bahru, Malaysia. Rapport between estate management, workers, and the National Family Planning Board helped establish the project. A recent Gotong-Royong or community self-help project had encouraged enthusiasm among workers to clean up the estate. Mothers were exhorted to plan their families and devote attention to the health and welfare of the children. The need for parents to understand the causes of infestation and educate their children to wear slippers or shoes and develop good toilet habits was emphasized by Dr. Nor Laily Aziz. Continuing National Family Planning Board and Government support was pledged.
PIP: Responses to questions relating to breastfeeding in the World Fertility Surveys of South Korea, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Bangladesh are analyzed. Of these countries, the percentage of ever-married women who had breastfed in the last closed interval was between 94-99%, except for Malaysia (81%) and average number of months breastfeeding took place was from 16.5-19.2, except for Malaysia (7.3). The infant mortality rate in these countries was 33/1000 live births for South Korea, 45/1000 for Malaysia, 51/1000 for Sri Lanka, 137/1000 for Indonesia, 150/1000 for Bangladesh, and 152/1000 for Nepal. Responses, however, might vary according to different interview situations. Assuming that the reporting errors are of similar magnitude and direction, the relationship between duration of breastfeeding and the birth interval can be studied. But it is possible that breastfeeding was prolonged due to other reasons for which conception was delayed; thus the regression of breastfeeding duration on the birth interval is not as logical as the regression of the birth interval on the breastfeeding is, especially when habitual breastfeeding can be avoided. The negative relationship between breastfeeding and infant mortality does exist, assuming that a woman breastfeeds all her children for similar durations. Some breastfeeding differentials are place of residence (less for rural areas), education (reduces duration), and religion (Christians have shorter duration than Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists). In South Korea the mean length of breastfeeding of women aged 25-34 and 35-44 are 17.5 and 20.5, and women using contraceptives are 26% for 25-34 and 20% for 35-44. South Korea also has the highest level of breastfeeding, highest incidence of ever use of contraceptives, and a very low level of fertility. Nepal and Bangladesh have a high level of breastfeeding but since their contraceptive incidence is low, their fertility level remains high. Some areas of further research include influence of breastfeeding on infant and child mortality.