A high level of fertility indicates that the reproductive model with elements
of traditional type, characterized by a long period of birth-giving during
the reproductive period, as well as a considerable participation of higher
confinement order, is still present in Kosovo and Metohia. A large number of
Albanian authors from Kosovo and Metohia believe such a state, which is
directly caused by the undeveloped condition of the Province in the social,
economic, medical, cultural and other senses, is due to historical
conditions in which the population developed, especially of Albanian
nationality, namely the way of life in which the oldfashioned spirit
prevails and the traditional system of values. A very significant place
within the psychological factors of fertility is taken by tradition, whose
influence is manifested through the determination of the age of the married
couple when getting married, the stability of the marriage, negative
attitude on celibacy, moreover the relation of tradition and birth giving
towards the sex of the child, as well as the tie between tradition and
religion. The position of women in the family and society takes a
significant place, because the inferior position of the women contributes to
the fact that she becomes the "guardian of tradition", namely that she
provides the continuity of the old fashioned way of life even though its
values are turned against the actual women. It may be said the there is a
consensus among the Albanian authors from Kosovo and Metohia that the slow
transition of fertility is due the most to the unfavorable socio-economic
position of the population. The Province of all parts of SFR Yugoslavia went
the last into the process of urbanization and industrialization, while as
stated, the scope and tempo of those processes was insufficient for them to
significantly influence the demographic complex change and social state in
general. It is also stated that if an intensive economic development of
Kosovo and Metohia was carried out, the level of natality would be decreased
in a considerably shorter time than what other parts of the country
succeeded. Family planning is a field which provoked the most polemics among
Albanian authors from Kosovo and Metohia. The themes which stood out
according to importance may be divided in three groups: what is understood
by family planning, what are the reasons for adopting and carring out the
family planning program, and what are the possible ways of carrying our
these programs. Two groups of researchers may also be singled out. The first
which believes that reproductive conscience is determined by society
modernization factors, namely that family planning is solved only in
conjuction with economic and social development of the Province, and the
other group of authors which believes that socio-economic development is a
necessary condition, however, society should direct actions in order to
develop certain social activities and provide conditions for carrying out
the rights of man to free parenthood and family planning programs.
Of family, futures and fear in a Balinese ward: Some preliminary thoughts toward a new project