When Less (Access) Leads to More...On Contraceptive Use in the Philippines

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With life in this country getting increasingly difficult, small family size is now the most rational choice. Sadly, however, there is still a large number of the population who have large families, a situation most common in poor households. In a study on which this issue’s banner article is based, the author argues that it is not true that the poor prefer large families. Poor households have many children because compared to rich households, they have lesser access to family planning methods, notably modern methods. To answer this problem, the study recommends that a more vigorous and better targeted advocacy program on the use of modern methods that gives priority to the poor is essential. It is also necessary that the poor have subsidized access to modern contraceptives and for the richest household to be less dependent on public sources.