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  • Title: Interrelationship of culture and fertility: a review of Thai experience.
    Author: Nibhon D, Noppavan C.
    Journal: J Thai Assoc Volunt Steriliz; 1981 Dec; ():5-18. PubMed ID: 12311580.
    Abstract:
    Thailand is a homogenous country with respect to nationality, citizenship, ethnic groups, and religion. Thailand's demographic history over the past century is one of accelerating population growth mainly due to a drop in mortality. The 1970 census figures showed that Thailand's population has reached 36 million and was growing rapidly. During the 1960-1970 intercensal period, the annual growth rate was about 3%, making it one of the highest in the world and the 3rd highest in Asia. Thailand's population is young; in 1970, a bit more than 45% of the population was under age 15 and only 3% of the population was 65 or older. The dependency burden was 93. At the present time, Thailand is experiencing a major decline in fertility. Analysis of data collected in a series of national sample surveys between 1969 and 1979 document the remarkable changes in reproductive patterns which occurred in the last decade. The overall fertility decline up to 1975 was largely a result of the rapid change in the central and northern regions of Thailand. Since then, the fertility decline has taken hold in the northeast. There are marked rural-urban differences in fertility level. Substantial fertility differentials have been found with respect to educational attainment, migration status, and occupation. Women in the modern labor force tend to have a lower fertility; perhaps their education influences attitudes towards contraceptive practice and reproductive behavior. There has been a dramatic increase in those women of reproductive age who are currently practicing contraception. The various cultural factors which impact on fertility are the marriage system, the family system, religious systems, regional subculture, norms concerning desired family size, and other fertility norms such as astrology and breastfeeding. It is not clear how cultural norms influence fertility in Thailand. There is a need to investigate the familial network changes and their role in fertility decline. It is also important to investigate the fertility impact of the changing role of women in the kinship network. It is suggested that an extensive study such as a national survey of married couples should be carried out in association with anthropological studies at the community level.
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