Family Planning Aspirations Among Youth in Higher Education: A Study in Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Youth and family planning is a burning topic in Pakistan, where the dynamics of population and the transformation of social values are altering the traditional mindsets. This study examined the perceptions and behaviors of university students in Pakistan regarding family planning with a focus on Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. Based on the life course theory, data were collected from 385 M.Phil and master’s students using a stratified random sample technique that considered their gender, degree level, and faculty. The quantitative technique is employed to examine family planning, the role of institutions in decision-making, individual attitudes towards the practice, and future planning associated with family formation, utilizing descriptive and inferential analysis techniques for data analysis. Key findings show that the two main factors influencing desires for smaller families and postponing marriage are economic pressures and educational attainment. The study also found significant distinctions between students in urban and rural areas, with the urban showing a greater propensity for lower family sizes. Despite these differences, both genders and student groups indicated a broad understanding of and support for family planning principles. They also stressed the importance of completing education and achieving financial stability before starting a family, while also advocating for birth spacing.These findings reveal the necessity of having specific policies that can help the youth to align their family planning aspirations with their educational and economic goals