The decision to terminate childbearing: differences in preoperative ambivalence between tubal ligation women and vasectomy wives.

Abstract This paper examines the degree of preoperative ambivalence expressed by 255 currently married tubal ligation patients compared to 167 wives of vasectomy patients regarding the decision to terminate childbearing and aspects of the decision‐making process which account for differences between groups. Data indicate that tubal ligation women are significantly more certain and comfortable with their decision than are vasectomy wives. In order to explain this finding, analysis focused on sociodemographic factors; time factors related to the decision; variables related to communication with spouse and others; factors internal to the individual, including interest in another child and motivation for the decision; external constraints on the decision; and couple dynamics in the decision‐making process. Results indicate that group differences in ambivalence are primarily due to the effects of strong male control over the termination decision, as perceived by the wife, and a disproportionate prevalence of t...

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