Interconnections among changing family structure, childrearing and fertility behaviour among the Ogu, Southwestern Nigeria

The interconnections of family transformation, childrearing and fertility behaviour are explored. Data were generated through nine focus groups organized among the Ogu and content analyzed. The analysis reveals that although the family system is still largely dominated by extended structure, the strong traditional kinship ties have begun to undergo serious strain. Child fostering and other means of spreading childrearing cost among relatives are fading out. Consequently, desired family size and ideal number of children in the society now gravitate to four children relative to over eight in the past. Given dwindling extended family resources for the support of a large number of its members, innovative reproductive behaviour is permeating the society, such as the adoption of family planning. 1 Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected] 2 Faculty of the Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected] Wusu & Isiugo-Abanihe: Interconnections among changing family structure 140 http://www.demographic-research.org