Title: Puerto Rico.

POPLINE Document Number: 266694

Author(s):

Diepenhorst MJ
Sjoerdsma AC

Source citation:

In: Diepenhorst MJ. Population problems and family planning in five countries: a transcultural reconnaissance. Japan, Egypt, Puerto Rico, Bangladesh, Kenya. Amsterdam, Netherlands, Koninklijk Institut voor de Tropen, 1982. :99-132.

Abstract:

Discusses family planning in Puerto Rico. Because of its close ties with the United States, Puerto Rico experienced full modernization and its consequences. Family planning dates back to the 1920's, and the population problem has been recognized by the government since the 1930's. Despite substantial emigration to the United States, the population doubled between 1910 and 1950. The reason was the rapid decrease in mortality which was not compensated for by a proportionate decrease in fertility. In the late 1940's, family planning met with Church opposition and sterilization was vigorously attacked. Some politicians and physicians were opposed to family planning measures as well. Despite Church opposition, and although 85% of Puerto Ricans are Catholic, sterilization is popular in the country. Although the government stayed away from a birth control policy, it never hindered private enterprise from introducing contraception and promoting it on a small scale. These private clinics have been functioning for 50 years, but only in the last 15 years has birth control been accelerated in Puerto Rico, and only since 1973 has the government taken an active part in the promotion of birth control. Female sterilization is favored, although the use of the contraceptive pill has risen in the last few years. Family planning measures have already resulted in a decline in fertility. It can be expected that in Puerto Rico, birth control will be the key to solving the population problem.

Keywords:

Puerto Rico
Family Planning
Socioeconomic Factors
Family Planning Centers
Social Change
Family Planning Policy
Government Programs
Contraception
Political Factors
Historical Review
Population Statistics
Demography
Economics
Birth Rate
Mortality
Tables and Charts
Catholicism
Sterilization, Sexual
Migration
Contraceptive Usage
KAP Surveys
Abortion
Cost Effectiveness
Caribbean
Americas
Developed Countries
Economic Factors
Health Facilities
Delivery of Health Care
Health
Population Policy
Social Policy
Policy
Programs
Organization and Administration
Research Methodology
Social Sciences
Fertility Measurements
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Christianity
Religion
Surveys
Sampling Studies
Studies
Fertility Control, Postconception
Evaluation Indexes
Quantitative Evaluation
Evaluation