THE RELATIVE INFLUENCE OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES ON THE CHOICE AND USE OFORAL CONTRACEPTION, A DIAPHRAGM, AND CONDOMS

Little empirical research has tested the traditional assumption that c ontraceptive behavior in the U.S. lies principally within the wife's s phere of influence. We use a decision-making framework and data collec ted from 401 married couples to examine the relative influence of husb ands and wives over the decisions to discontinue a current contracepti ve method and then to select a new one and the decisions that govern r egularity of use of an already chosen method. We focus on the specific methods of oral contraception, a diaphragm, and condoms, examining th eir similarities and differences according to the gender of the user. The results indicate that spouse influence varies according to the typ e of contraceptive decision being made and the specific method of cont raception being used or chosen.