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Husbands' involvement in abortion in Vietnam
A Johansson1, N T Nga, T Q Huy
1Unit for International Health Care Research, IHCAR, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Studies in Family Planning
|January 27, 1999
Summary
This study explored men's involvement in abortion decisions in Vietnam. Findings reveal husbands often act as primary decision-makers, balancing family responsibility with personal ethics regarding abortion.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology
- Medical Ethics
Background:
- Vietnam has high induced abortion rates, with legal access.
- Men's roles in reproductive decisions are under-researched globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze men's involvement in abortion decisions in Vietnam.
- To understand husbands' perspectives on their roles, feelings, and ethics regarding abortion.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving interviews with twenty men in Vietnam.
- Exploration of men's experiences and ethical views on their wives' abortions.
Main Results:
- Husbands are considered primary decision-makers for family size and abortion.
- Some abortions occurred without prior husband consultation.
- Men's decisions were guided by an ethics of care, though some found abortion immoral.
- Extended family were typically not consulted due to potential objections.
Conclusions:
- Understanding husbands' perspectives is crucial for reproductive decision-making.
- Men's involvement encompasses responsibilities, rights, and ethical considerations in abortion.
- Reproductive health policies should acknowledge the male role in abortion decisions.