Encomium
WITH the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs, house rent, absence of basic infrastructure, one wonders the number of children that is ideal per household.
ENCOMIUM Weekly sampled the opinion of housewives, medical experts, sociologists on these. We also took them up on why family planning fails.
DOCTORS
FRANCIS SHOBIYE
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
There is no ideal number, it’s based on choice.
How many years gap should be between children?
Medically, it is adviced to give at least two years gap before another child so that the child would have grown.
What is the percentage of women that complain about failed family planning?
It depends on the type of family planning the woman is on. There are so many types of family planning. Some are not too good, while some have high rate of failure. Usually, women who are on oral contraceptives have 50 per cent failure, then people who use the withdrawal method whereby the man removes his manhood as soon as he feels he is about to release sperm also fails a lot. Women who are on implant only record failure of about one percent.
- BOLA
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
At least, four. Not more than four is adviceable. But it also depends on their capacity; some people don’t want more than two or three.
How many years gap should be between children?
They should give two to two and a half years.
What is the percentage of women that complain about failed family planning?
The percentage is high now, it’s about 55 per cent because of finance and depending on the resistance of the individual. Some people are on coil, while some are on pills. We have about 12 types of family planning but the patient would be tested to know which is best for her.
NURSE MARY AJALA
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
I think two children because of the bad economy in Nigeria.
How many years gap should be between children?
At least two.
What is the percentage of women that complain about failed family planning?
Family planning do not really fail, if you use your medications as directed. But most people are not faithful with the methods chosen. When one has nonchalant attitude over such thing, then it is bound to fail.
COUPLES SPEAK
MRS. KEMI ADEGUN
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
Each family should have their plan. What is ideal for me may not be ideal for someone else.
How best can couple space their children?
An interval of two years is okay.
Has family planning ever failed for you?
Not really, it hasn’t really failed for me. I attribute it to God alone. But no family planning method is 100 per cent. Some have been consistent with their medication yet still get pregnant. Some other practice withdrawal while others use condom. It all depends on what suits each body type. Some people react to IUD giving them infection, some may be afraid of implant and may not like injection while others may prefer the daily pill. It all depends on what works for you.
MRS. STELLA EYINOCHA
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
Three kids is cool, considering the realities on ground.
How best can couple space their children?
First, it’s through knowledge. A woman should know her menstrual cycle. Once she masters her safe periods, abstinence is a wonderful tool. There is another method in which surgically something will be inserted in the arm. It works with no side effect.
Has family planning ever failed for you?
Yes, pills fail a lot. It is not 100 per cent safe.
MRS. BISI FOLORUNSHO
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
The couple should have the number of children they can easily take care of. Four at most.
How best can couple space their children?
At least, two to three years putting into consideration the age of the woman.
Has family planning ever failed for you?
Family planning is yet to fail me.
MRS. SEYI IWUCHUKWU
What is the ideal number of children a couple should have?
I don’t think there is an ideal number. Have the number of children you can take care of. At least, three is okay. I don’t agree with people who say one unless there is a medical condition responsible for that.
How best can couple space their children?
Between two to three years.
Has family planning ever failed for you?
I have not done family planning before and I don’t plan to do. I just try and calculate my safe period.
SOCIOLOGISTS SPEAK
- HENRY OKAFOR
What is the ideal number of children couples should have?
Based on my academic exposure and experience, I think couples should consider the population of the country and housing deficits. Couples should not have more than two.
How best can couple space their children?
I think two and a half years is ideal. It helps the woman recover fully, get her shape back. Women who don’t space properly risk running into health complications
MRS. BABALOLA TEMITOPE
What is the ideal number of children couples should have?
There is no need having children you cannot cater for. There are a lot of children on the streets, under the bridges. Most of them ran away from home because they are not adequately catered for. Every family should know their capacity based on the income of the breadwinner and their partner. I cannot categorically say one or two. I will only state that no family should have more than four children because of the aforementioned factors. It could be less but not more.
– SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
