Men's Perceptions of Their Roles and Responsibilities Regarding Sex, Contraception and Childrearing

In this study, we use data from the 1991 National Survey of Men (NSM) to examine men’s perceptions about their role in a couple’s decision-making about sex and contraception, as well as their beliefs about the relative responsibility of men and women for the children that they have together. We explore how a man’s individual characteristics may affect his perceptions and beliefs, and identify those groups of men who are likely to feel that they have roles and responsibilities that are greater than, less than or equal to those of women. Examining the effects of couple characteristics on men’s perceptions helps us to understand how men’s views are shaped by both the nature of the relationship in which such decisions are made (e.g., marital or cohabiting) and the characteristics of their partner in that relationship.