Title: [Juridicial aspects of family planning]

POPLINE Document Number: 746707

Author(s):

Moraes B

Source citation:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, BEMFAM, 1974. 17 p.

Abstract:

The legal aspects of birth control in Brazil are, to say the least, complex and confusing. Family Planning can be seen from a religious, political, medical, and social point of view, beside a juridical one. Juridical aspects can be related to constitutional law, labor law, and to administrative, civil, and penal codes. There are in Brazilian law inherent limitations to family planning. Some of these limitations are: 1) the existence of a salary for large families. This salary, instituted to help numerous families, does in fact encourage couples to have more children than they can support; 2) a pregnant and nursing mother can leave her job for as long as 4 months and even longer without taking a cut in salary; 3) abortion is legal only when induced to save the mother's life. This means an average of 1,500,000 illegal abortions a year; and, 4) sexual sterilization and contraception are legal only when prescribed by a doctor.

Keywords:

Brazil
Family Planning
Abortion
Contraception
Sterilization, Sexual
South America, Eastern
South America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Fertility Control, Postconception