Religiosity and contraceptive method choice: The Jewish population of Israel

The primary purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between religiosity and contraceptive method choice, among users of contraception. We analyze a representative sample of 1,751 married urban Israeli Jewish women interviewed in 1987-1988. Our findings indicate that the contraceptive choices of religious women are determined largely by considerations unrelated to religious doctrine. A combination of factors, including the suitability of specific methods to fertility control needs, peer influences, and other cultural effects, appear to modify the acceptance and application of a particular religious theology.