Adolescent Fertility in sub-Saharan Africa

The author considers elements of National Research Council reports on adolescent fertility and economic reversals in sub-Saharan Africa. The fertility report published findings drawn from new Demographic and Health Survey data and related literature to note a change in the social context of adolescent childbearing as a result of increasing secondary school enrollments and later ages at marriage. Overall fertility among adolescents is falling in at least some countries although births to the unmarried are increasing as a proportion of total births to adolescents especially in urban areas. The report describes the social incompatibility of school enrollment and pregnancy or motherhood and the expectation that men assume the responsibilities of fatherhood. Relaxed restrictions on the sexual expression of young men have however increased the weight of sexual demands upon adolescent females. The report on economic reversals was based upon limited data. Its working groups therefore focused mainly upon the income effects of economic reversals as they relate to fertility. Overall economic reversals produce declines in income which delay marriage and first birth. The author also notes a study finding that marriage odds seem to respond favorably to short-run improvements in economic conditions with such effects being most apparent in Botswana Senegal and Togo. In closing the need for coordination and collaboration between working groups is stressed. Had working groups for the two reports shared and discussed their respective data and analytic perspectives before formulating and publishing key findings mutual benefits would have accrued.