Abstract : Structured interviews were conducted with 52 lower- and middle-class men aged 20-46 years in Mexico City who had been involved in at least one abortion of a wife, lover, or casual sexual partner. The objective was to analyze the forms of responsibility assumed by the men according to the relationship and degree of emotional involvement. 29 of the men were single, 18 married, and 5 divorced. 22 reported no religion and 29 were Catholic. 36 had no children and 9 had 1 child. 17 were aged 20-25 and 19 were 26-29. In 43 cases the man had been involved in one abortion. Most of the women were girlfriends or wives. In most cases the man reported loving the woman greatly. At the time of the abortion(s), 16 of the men were aged 18-20, 26 were 21-25, 10 were 26-30, and 13 were 31-41. 43% reported having taken no responsibility for contraception. The men were more likely to cooperate in contraception with girlfriends or wives and with women to whom they were emotionally attached. 90% reported they assumed responsibility for financing the abortion in whole or in part. Women in nonformal relationships or who were less loved received less financial and other assistance. In 52% of cases, the male either decided on the abortion or made clear to the woman that he would have no role in supporting the child. The form in which men assumed or did not assume responsibility for the abortion reflected overall social relations defining asymmetrical rights and obligations for men and women.
Notes : Español/espagnol/Spanish, nbsp;Abstract : Popline (http://db.jhuccp.org/popinform/basic.html) - PIP 140048