Targets versus extension education: the Family Planning Programme in Uttar Pradesh, India

The article examines the impact of target setting on a Family Planning Programme in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The author argues that over-concern with target setting has led to a number of negative results including high percentages of marginal cases brought for vasectomy, and low mor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Population studies 1974-07, Vol.28 (2), p.249-261
Main Author: Elder, Robert E.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Birth control
Children
Extension education
Family planning
Family planning services
Health planning
India
Questionnaires
Revenue
Vasectomy
Villages
Wives
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Summary:The article examines the impact of target setting on a Family Planning Programme in the North Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. The author argues that over-concern with target setting has led to a number of negative results including high percentages of marginal cases brought for vasectomy, and low morale on the part of family planning personnel. Trained in extensive education techniques, they have been forced to place quantity above quality once they begin their work out in the districts. The author provides no easy answer to this tension between targets and extension educators, but the problem which he has raised needs consideration in a developing country concerned with implementing an effective programme of population control.
ISSN:0032-4728
1477-4747
DOI:10.1080/00324728.1974.10405178