<<This is a very sophisticated and well-informed opinion that many primitiv=
e
societies would not be aware of. Some may not even have made the link
between sex and pregnancy.
>>
The Book "Death, Sex, and Fertility" by Marvin Harris and Eric Ross (Columbia
U. P, 1987) discusses the subject quite adequately. Also of interest is "The
Kindness of Strangers" whose author I can't recall.
I think most pre-industrial societies are very aware of the ecological and
childrearing decisions available, as they are literally matters of life and
death. Whilst I can't quote off hand, I'd like to point out the primary issue
of confusion in reproduction is the nature of male involvement, ranging from
catalyst without agncy in the conception to being the only provider of genetic
information.
Asserting that pre-industrial peoples are unsophisticated is a little off the
mark. In any rate, the important factor in contraception, either pre or post
conception is the efficacy of the practice, not the explanation for why it
works.
I should point out that Harris and Ross indicate that !Kung women regulate
fertility by diet, by causing changes in lean body mass versus fatty. They
need not affect the act of coitus itself to be able to prevent births.
Jeff Erwin
Powered by hypermail