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Protestants and Family Planning

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Abstract

There is evidence supporting the hypothesis that the historically favorable views of Protestants regarding the practice of family planning are changing among selected sub-groups. Such an attitudinal shift among Protestants has been rarely investigated by social scientists. This literature review represents an initial step in examining the phenomenon. A profile of Protestants' historical views of family planning will be presented first, followed by a discussion of the recent questioning of this group's favorable attitudes towards the practice. Additionally, research literature on contraceptive behavior and fertility patterns will provide empirical evidence supporting the hypothesis.

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Goodson, P. Protestants and Family Planning. Journal of Religion and Health 36, 353–366 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1027437310363

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