Resumo

JARAMILLO, Diva Estela; URIBE, Tulia María; ARZUAGA, María Angélica  e  PALACIO, Martha Lucia. An end or means?: context where reproduction is decided. Index Enferm [online]. 2005, vol.14, n.50, pp.20-24. ISSN 1699-5988.

Qualitative study which explores the decision-making process in reproduction. This article describes the context to decide reproduction. Seventeen (17) men and 23 women, between 20 and 35 years old from different social strata and educational levels, with over one year of couple relationship were interviewed. This study is methodologically based on the funded theory and symbolic interactionism. The findings show different meanings of reproduction and interpretation of the principles of gender which guide the decisions regarding offspring. When a couple understands reproduction as an end, they decide to prepare themselves and to plan the number of children and the moment of their arrival. Their decisions are shared and concerted, and guided by their life plans. When they take reproduction as a means to achieve individual purposes, such as, sexual pleasure or care for the male, and affective, economic and emotional stability as well as certain economic conditions for the female, their decisions are individual but not negotiated. They do not prepare themselves and do not interpret gender principles and make unfair decisions. They do not worry about reproduction, and consequently, their children appear unexpectedly. This event becomes a source of conflict between them.