TY - JOUR
T1 - Religious differences in modernization of the family
T2 - Family demographics trends in Ghana
AU - Heaton, Tim B.
AU - Darkwah, Akosua
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - This research examines trends in a broad set of reproductive and marital behaviors in Ghana, focusing on religious group differences. These comparisons provide evidence of how family trends are constrained by religious identity in a less developed country. Three waves of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys are used to track trends in the age at family formation, marital status, contraceptive use, and family size. Results indicate that women are waiting longer to begin sexual relationships, to marry, and have children. At the same time, the frequency of informal unions, polygamy, and marital disruption show modest declines. Contraceptive use is increasing and family size is declining. Although religious group differences in these behaviors are substantial, some religious group differences appear to be widening over time, others are narrowing, and others remain relatively stable. Collectively, these measures provide evidence that family structure is being transformed in Ghana and that religion is an important context for family trends.
AB - This research examines trends in a broad set of reproductive and marital behaviors in Ghana, focusing on religious group differences. These comparisons provide evidence of how family trends are constrained by religious identity in a less developed country. Three waves of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys are used to track trends in the age at family formation, marital status, contraceptive use, and family size. Results indicate that women are waiting longer to begin sexual relationships, to marry, and have children. At the same time, the frequency of informal unions, polygamy, and marital disruption show modest declines. Contraceptive use is increasing and family size is declining. Although religious group differences in these behaviors are substantial, some religious group differences appear to be widening over time, others are narrowing, and others remain relatively stable. Collectively, these measures provide evidence that family structure is being transformed in Ghana and that religion is an important context for family trends.
KW - Ghana
KW - marriage
KW - religion
KW - reproduction
KW - sex
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=82555185052&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0192513X11398951
DO - 10.1177/0192513X11398951
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:82555185052
SN - 0192-513X
VL - 32
SP - 1576
EP - 1596
JO - Journal of Family Issues
JF - Journal of Family Issues
IS - 12
ER -