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(Phd) Thesis.Pdf Gender and Cultural Influences on Reproductive Decision-Making and Fertility Trends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Cardiff Metropolitan By Engee A. Jamal-Hariri 2015 Gender and Cultural Influences on Reproductive Decision-Making and Fertility Trends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Engee A. Jamal-Hariri Abstract This thesis presents a critical examination of dynamic fertility trends and reproductive behaviour in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This is established through the following four objectives: to establish a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between gender system and reproductive behaviour; to determine the role of cultural, religion and social networks in influencing family planning decisions; to analyse the changes that occurred in fertility trends in a period of 8 years (2005-2013); and to describe the function of using innovative methods in achieving such a sensitive study in a conservative society. This study applied a mixed methodology, including a repeated questionnaire survey over a period of 8 years, and in-depth interviews. It was found that an early age of marriage is common and regarded as advantageous to the future of women. Moreover, this study reveals that Saudis place great and high value on children, as children represent the flow of wealth from children to parents. Thus, the preferred family size is relatively large (4 children) and both parents have a preference for male children. Moreover, the study reveals that the traditional division of labour assigns women the responsibility of taking care of children. Also, it was found that even though many women found difficulties in discussing reproductive issues with their spouse, discussing fertility issues reduced family size. Men are predominantly in control of reproductive decision-making in the family, although when fertility decisions were mutual, family size declined. A higher socioeconomic status promoted shared fertility decisions. Further, this study shows that there is a high level of diffusion of contraceptive knowledge and practices among study respondents and their social networks. However, planning family size is not a very common practice among study respondents and having a large family is seen to be complying with a religious Islamic duty, and reflects pride toward kinship relationships. It was also found that the extended family provides a supporting motive for parents to have a large family. However, the latest survey, of 2013, revealed some positive changes in gender structure that could contribute to greater gender equality, such as a rise in the age of marriage for both genders, more involvement of males in household responsibility, an increase in mutual decision-making and practice of planning for family size. ii Acknowledgements I give all the Glory and Honour to God. My faith in God and constant prayers have given me added strength and the determination needed to accomplish this work. In accomplishing the task of researching and writing this thesis, I have received support, intellectual and personal encouragement from my supervisors. Initially, I would like to thank Professor Peter Abell for his unfailing support, encouragement and supervision of this project from beginning to end. I shall always remain grateful to him for his intellectual guidance, insight and persistent critical questioning, which, combined with his patience and personal support, gave me not only a strong intellectual foundation to pursue the themes of this thesis but also the courage and determination to continue during those trying periods of emotional discouragement. I also express my gratitude to Professor Malcolm Bennison, who also took on the role of supervising my study. He was very sincere and his excellent guidance and above all his constant encouragement instilled in me the confidence which helped my progress. I am thankful to him for his valuable suggestions and close scrutiny of my work and also for his intellectual support and comments, which provided critical appraisal throughout this work. I am extremely grateful to Professor Don Harper, who not only played a fundamental role in the initiation and setting up of the project, but who has also continuously supported me, and gave me comments and insights regarding iii different aspects of my work. Further, I shall always remain grateful to Doctor Fouad Dahlawi for his intellectual guidance through the data analysis with SPSS, and his constant encouragement, patience and personal support, which helped my progress. In addition, I am grateful to Doctor Ali Saqur, my local supervisor, for his unwavering encouragement and support. His kind-hearted intellect steered me through the most difficult times of my study. I also owe a deep sense of gratitude to Doctor Salha Abden, who initiated my interest in population studies as an undergraduate student and also supervised my Master’s degree. I shall always remain grateful to her for her intellectual guidance. Her continuous support and encouragement instilled into me the confidence which steered my progress towards an academic career. I am also thankful to Doctor Mohammad Al-Gamdi and Doctor Muhsen Mansory for their support and encouragement, and for providing me with many important references. Additionally, I am grateful to King Abdul Aziz University for the scholarship that enabled me to undertake my study in Britain. In particular I am grateful to the Supervisor General of the Joint Supervision Program, Professor Ammar Amin, for his support and encouragement. Also, special thanks to Omaima Olagi for her continued help and support. I shall always remain grateful to the faculty of Arts and Humanity headed by Doctor Osama Jastania and the head of Sociology Department, for their consistent support. In addition, heartfelt thanks to my colleagues and friends in Saudi Arabia, for their support and words of encouragement. I would like to thank the institutions (hospitals and business enterprises in Saudi Arabia) for their co-operation during the data collection for the survey. Heartfelt iv thanks go to all interviewees and respondents in my study who took time to respond to my interviews, participate in the discussions or give practical support. Without their co-operation I would not have accomplished this task. I finally owe deep gratitude to my family, who through their love, prayers and support gave me the encouragement to continue during those difficult periods. To my beloved children I owe a special debt of thanks for their love, and words of encouragement exhorting me to work hard. Most importantly, special thanks and admiration go to my husband, who through great sacrifice, love, patience and understanding has supported our children and me. His support and reassurance have been invaluable to me. v Dedication All love and honour to my parents, my mother in-law, my husband, and my daughters and sons, I will always remain grateful to them. It is hard to find words with which I can thank them for all the support they gave me and for their love and prayers which enabled me to accomplish this work. Therefore, I dedicate this work to them. vi Table of Contents Abstract ii Acknowledgements iii Dedication vi Table of Contents vii List of Tables xi List of Figures xiv List of Appendices xvi List of Arabic Words xvii Chapter One Introduction Of The Study 1 Statement of the Problem 1 Study Foci and Concerns ........................................................................................................................1 Fertility Patterns in Saudi Arabia...........................................................................................................2 The Gap in Knowledge and The Contribution of the Study ....................................................................4 Study Justification 11 Contribution to Global Concerns about Rapid Population Growth .....................................................11 Helping to Address Society’s Needs .....................................................................................................15 Research Aim 16 Thesis Structure 17 Chapter Two The Social Context and Reproductive Behaviour 19 Introduction 19 Theoretical Approaches to Fertility Changes 19 The Demographic Transition Theory....................................................................................................20 The Wealth Flow Theory .......................................................................................................................21 Economic Theories of Fertility .............................................................................................................22 The Microeconomic Model ...............................................................................................................22 Easterlin’s Framework ......................................................................................................................23 Ideational Theory ..............................................................................................................................24 Embeddedness Theory ......................................................................................................................25 Social Structure and Fertility Behaviour 27 Fertility and Nuptial Regimes ...............................................................................................................27 The Value of Children, Sex Preference and Fertility Behaviour ..........................................................30
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