Unwanted pregnancies and unwanted fertility: Conceptual variations

Abstract

The concepts of pregnancy unwantedness and unwanted fertility have a range of definitions, nor are reports consistent for concept use. This report examines various definitions and their application. Considering a measure of unwantedness as underinvestment in the child, a scale is described which examines the extent to which the unwanted child may be subjected to underinvestment. The hypothesis of an association between unwantedness and underinvestment was not supported. The conclusion is that unwantedness requires conceptual standardization and a behavioral definition for sociological use.