Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T18:57:02.405Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Religious Fertility Differentials Among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

I. Sembajwe
I. Sembajwe
Affiliation:
University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

This study examines the influence of religion on fertility among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. There is a distinct differential in fertility by religion. Fertility is lower for Moslems than for Christians. The difference is attributed to the traditional characteristics of Moslems as opposed to the relatively modern characteristics of Christians. For example, Moslems have low education and low occupational status. Consequently, Moslems rather than Christians are more likely to observe longer periods of post-natal abstinence, and to experience higher pregnancy wastage and sterility rates.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , April 1980 , pp. 153 - 164
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Caldwell, J.C. (1976) The Socio-economic Explanation of High Fertility, p. 7. Changing African Family Project Series, Monograph No. 1. Australian National University Press, Canberra.Google Scholar
Caldwell, J.C. & Caldwell, P. (1977) The role of marital sexual abstinence in determining fertility: a study of the Yoruba in Nigeria. Popul. Stud. 31, 207.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Coale, A.J. (1968) Estimates of fertility and mortality in tropical Africa. In: The Population of Tropical Africa, p. 183. Edited by Caldwell, J. C & Okonjo, C.. Columbia University Press, New York.Google Scholar
Gaisie, S.K. (1969) Dynamics of Population Growth in Ghana, p. 36. Demographic Unit, University of Ghana, Legon.Google Scholar
Gaisie, S.K. (1972) Fertility levels among the Ghanaian tribes. In: Population Growth and Economic Development in Africa, p. 84. Edited by Ominde, S. H & Ejiogu, C. N. Heinemann, London.Google Scholar
Goldstein, S. (1970) Religious fertility differentials in Thailand, 1960. Popul. Stud. 24, 325.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kirk, D. (1967) Factors affecting Moslem natality. In: Family Planning and Population Programs: a Review of World Developments, p. 561. University Press, Chicago.Google Scholar
Lloyd, P.C. (1968) Divorce among the Yoruba. Am. Anthrop. 70, 79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Long, L.H. (1970) Fertility patterns among religious groups in Canada. Demography, 7, 135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lucas, D.W. (1976) The Participation of Women in the Nigerian Labour Force Since the 1950s with Particular Reference to Lagos. PhD thesis, University of London.Google Scholar
Mabogunje, A.L. (1972) Urban land policy and population in Nigeria. In: Population Growth and Economic Development in Africa, p. 238. Edited by Ominde, S. A & Ejiogu, C. N. Heinemann, London.Google Scholar
Ohadike, P.O. (1967) Patterns and Variations in Fertility and Family Formation: a Study of Urban Africans in Lagos, Nigeria. PhD thesis, Australian National University, Canberra.Google Scholar
Okediji, F. O. & Okediji, O.O. (1966) Marital stability and social structure in an African city. Nig. J. econ. soc. Stud. 8, 153.Google Scholar
Page, H.J. (1975) Fertility levels: patterns and trends. In: Population Growth and Socio-economic Change in West Africa, p. 41. Edited by Caldwell, J. C. Columbia University Press, New York.Google Scholar
Podlewski, A. (1975) Cameroon. In: Population Growth and Socio-economic Change in West Africa, p. 553. Edited by Caldwell, J. C. Columbia University Press, New York.Google Scholar
Sania, H. (1959) Temperament and Character of the Arabs, p. 186. Twayne, New York.Google Scholar
Schieffelin, O. (1967) Muslim Attitudes Toward Family Planning, p. 57. Population Council, New York.Google Scholar
Sembajwe, I.S.L. (1977) Fertility and Child Mortality Levels and Differentials Among the Yoruba of Western Nigeria. PhD thesis, Australian National University, Canberra.Google Scholar
Sembajwe, I.S.L. (1979) Effect of age at first marriage, number of wives and type of marital union on fertility. J. biosoc. Sci. 11, 341.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sofoluwe, G.O. (1965) A study of divorce cases in Igbo-Ora. Nig. J. econ. soc. Stud. 7, 59.Google Scholar
Soontaree, S. (1969) A Pilot Study of Family Health in Thai Muslim Communities in South Thailand. National Research Council, Bangkok.Google Scholar