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Title: Global Influences on Malawians' Ideal Family Size Preferences
Citation Type: Miscellaneous
Publication Year: 2018
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Abstract: Scholars theorize that messages advocating for small family size are promoted worldwide. This paper examines the influence of global messages advocating for small family size on the ideal family size preferences of people in Malawi. It is argued that Malawians are exposed to such messages through education curricula, media programs, urban environments, Christian religious associations, and foreign aid interventions. More specific education curricula and types of aid interventions in Malawi that depict small families as a sign of “development” are also examined. Combining survey, administrative, and archival data, I test the influence of these mechanism of global cultural dissemination in Malawi. Education is negatively related to family size preferences, especially exposure to Life Skills and Social Studies curricula, as are newspaper and television use, urban living, and Christian identity. Notably, aid interventions targeted at family planning are not associated with smaller family size preferences.
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Authors: Swindle, Jeffrey
Publisher: University of Michigan
Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Family and Marriage
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