Powerlessness and Regularity of Contraception in an Urban Negro Male Sample: A Research Note

In a 1966 study of 350 recent fathers (Negro married and living in Washington D.C.) powerlessness was found to be a relatively strong correlate of regularity of contraceptive practice even when 8 other related variables are controlled. Of men low in powerlessness (measured on a 4 point scale by response to a series of negative statements) 88% practiced contraception consistently with intercourse compared to 10% of men high in powerlessness. It is suggested that future fertility is now being influenced by this relationship and powerlessness is a variable worth considering in further fertility research.