The influence of cultural beliefs on family planning adoption: Evidence from a field survey in China

Cultural beliefs continue to play a critical role in shaping reproductive behavior in China, even as the country undergoes rapid social and economic transformation. This study examines the influence of key cultural norms-such as son preference, traditional gender roles, filial piety, and attitudes toward contraception-on the adoption of modern family planning methods. Drawing on data from a cross-sectional field survey of married individuals aged 18-49 across selected provinces, the study employs a quantitative research design using structured questionnaires and multi-stage sampling. Composite indices of cultural beliefs were constructed using Likert-scale items, and logistic regression models were used to assess their predictive power on contraceptive use, while controlling for socio-demographic characteristics. The results indicate that stronger adherence to traditional cultural beliefs significantly reduces the likelihood of adopting modern contraceptive methods, with notable variation across education levels and urban-rural settings. These findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive family planning strategies that address underlying social norms in addition to improving service availability. The study contributes to policy debates on demographic change in China by emphasizing the intersection of culture, gender, and reproductive health behavior.