The standard days method: Factors contributing to the involvement and support of male partners in Metro Manila

The study aimed to identify the factors contributing to the support and involvement of male partners in fertility regulation through standard days method (SDM). It also tried to look at what kinds of support men give their spouses utilizing SDM in Metro Manila. Twenty (20) male partners of women utilizing SDM accessed from Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital were interviewed using an interview guide that consisted of precoded and open-ended questions. The findings showed that older men with higher level of education support women and are actively involved in fertility regulation. Partners of women utilizing SDM ages ranging from 24-48 year old with the mean age of 37 years old, have had formal education, majority are secondary and collegiate level, are Roman Catholic and have regular work and businesses. Couples average number of children is two (2). Majority of men wanted to limit pregnancy because most of them had already achieved their desired number of children. Men who support and actively involved in fertility regulation shared the responsibility with their partners especially their decision to regulate their fertility because they play a vital role in rearing their children. Economic burden of rearing children is one responsibility that is either solely his or partially his. Rearing children therefore, as well as fertility regulation should be a shared responsibility between spouses. Men\u27s ability of control their sexual urges during fertile days influenced their support to women utilizing SDM because SDM is a NFP method, which requires abstinence to correctly use it. In SDM, abstinence is an ideal male method of contraception to effectively use it but in fertility regulation both condom and abstinence is the more appropriate especially for couples who already attained their desired number of children. According to the State of the Philippine Population Report of 2000, one constraint to equitable development is the inability of couples to realize their desired family size. In this study, most couples had already attained their desired number and limiting their fertility through SDM. And men are actively involved and support their partners utilization of the method because fertility regulation is a shared responsibility and decision between spouses