The Relative Influence of Husbands and Wives on the Choice and Use of Oral Contraception,a Diaphragm,and Condoms1

Little empirical research has tested the traditional assumption that contraceptive behavior in the U.S. lies principally within the wife's sphere of influence. We use a decision-making framework and data collected from 401 married couples to examine the relative influence of husbands and wives over the decisions to discontinue a current contraceptive method and then to select a new one and the decisions that govern regularity of use of an already chosen method. We focus on the specific methods of oral contraception, a diaphragm, and condoms, examining their similarities and differences according to the gender of the user. The results indicate that spouse influence varies according to the type of contraceptive decision being made and the specific method of contraception being used or chosen.