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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Male Involvement in Family Planning in Gusii Society: An Anthropological Overview |
Author: | Matsuzono, Makio |
Year: | 1997 |
Periodical: | African Study Monographs |
Volume: | 18 |
Issue: | 3-4 |
Pages: | 175-190 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Kenya |
Subjects: | Gusii family planning Women's Issues Law, Human Rights and Violence Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Health and Nutrition Family Planning and Contraception Health, Nutrition, and Medicine Cultural Roles Marital Relations and Nuptiality |
External link: | https://jambo.africa.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kiroku/asm_normal/abstracts/pdf/18-3&4/18-3&4%20175-190.pdf |
Abstract: | Among the Gusii of western Kenya, contraception is largely the responsibility of women, although men are starting to take a more serious interest in family planing. Condom use is a growing contraceptive method for men, but the poor quality of commonly available condoms and the lack of encouragement and counselling for condom use to male clients in medical facilities are two major obstacles to their more widespread use. Most Gusii men have a negative and even antagonistic attitude towards vasectomy as a family planning method, equating vasectomy with the castration of a bull. Their negative attitude is deeply rooted in cultural values concerning manhood, procreative ability, and the ideal of a large family. Among the patrilineal Gusii, men's sexuality and reproductive power always take precedence over that of women. The article is based on research in Kisii and Nyamira Districts of western Kenya, where between 5 November and 9 December 1996 the author interviewed the medical staff at Kisii District Hospital, Kisii Static FPAK Clinic, Marie Stopes Kisii Clinic, and community based distribution agents, as well as conducting a preliminary survey on male involvement in family planning. Bibliogr., note, sum. |