Megan Hamm1, Mark Evans2, Elizabeth Miller3, Mario Browne4, David Bell5, Sonya Borrero6. 1. Center for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh, 200 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. Electronic address: mehst52@pitt.edu. 2. University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. 3. UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA15224, USA; Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. 4. University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, 3550 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. 5. Columbia University Medical Center, 1790 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, USA. 6. Center for Research on Healthcare, University of Pittsburgh, 200 McKee Place, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: While some attention has been paid to men's contraceptive use and attitudes in international contexts, relatively little is known about the attitudes towards contraception and pregnancy of low-income, urban men in the U.S. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 58 low-income men in Pittsburgh, PA, to explore their perspectives on contraception, pregnancy, fatherhood, and relationships. We analyzed the interviews using a combination of content analysis, the constant comparison method, and thematic analysis. RESULTS: Men who we interviewed frequently described feeling that they lacked agency regarding when pregnancies occurred and whether or not they became fathers. Several factors contributed to their sense of low agency, including the belief that women should control contraception and reproduction, a reluctance to have conversations about contraception in some contexts, a lack of acceptable male-controlled contraceptive methods, experiences with pregnancy-promoting behaviors by women, and fatalistic attitudes towards pregnancy occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Many men in our study described perceptions of limited reproductive agency. In describing their lack of agency, men reinforced contemporary gender norms in which the "work" of pregnancy prevention is a woman's responsibility. Responses to men's perceived limited reproductive agency should work towards deconstructing gendered norms in the work of pregnancy prevention and promote shared and mutual gender responsibility over reproduction while also supporting women's reproductive autonomy. IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies several factors that contribute to low-income men's sense of low reproductive agency and highlights the complexity of acknowledging men's feelings and perceptions about reproductive control in the broader context of gender and power.
OBJECTIVES: While some attention has been paid to men's contraceptive use and attitudes in international contexts, relatively little is known about the attitudes towards contraception and pregnancy of low-income, urban men in the U.S. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 58 low-income men in Pittsburgh, PA, to explore their perspectives on contraception, pregnancy, fatherhood, and relationships. We analyzed the interviews using a combination of content analysis, the constant comparison method, and thematic analysis. RESULTS:Men who we interviewed frequently described feeling that they lacked agency regarding when pregnancies occurred and whether or not they became fathers. Several factors contributed to their sense of low agency, including the belief that women should control contraception and reproduction, a reluctance to have conversations about contraception in some contexts, a lack of acceptable male-controlled contraceptive methods, experiences with pregnancy-promoting behaviors by women, and fatalistic attitudes towards pregnancy occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Many men in our study described perceptions of limited reproductive agency. In describing their lack of agency, men reinforced contemporary gender norms in which the "work" of pregnancy prevention is a woman's responsibility. Responses to men's perceived limited reproductive agency should work towards deconstructing gendered norms in the work of pregnancy prevention and promote shared and mutual gender responsibility over reproduction while also supporting women's reproductive autonomy. IMPLICATIONS: This study identifies several factors that contribute to low-income men's sense of low reproductive agency and highlights the complexity of acknowledging men's feelings and perceptions about reproductive control in the broader context of gender and power.
Authors: Kathryn E Storck; Lori M Gawron; Jessica N Sanders; Nicolle Wiaderny; David K Turok Journal: Contraception Date: 2022-04-22 Impact factor: 3.051
Authors: Reyna Sámano; Hugo Martínez-Rojano; Gabriela Chico-Barba; Bernarda Sánchez-Jiménez; Selene Sam-Soto; Ana Lilia Rodríguez-Ventura; Laura Mejía-Luna; Sylvia Sclavo-Melo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-03-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Nicholas B Dimenstein; Laura D Lindberg; Renata Arrington-Sanders; Jacky M Jennings; Lori F Frohwirth; Patricia J Dittus; Arik V Marcell Journal: Contraception Date: 2021-06-10 Impact factor: 3.051