fertility intentions and family size. Thus, the assumptions are:Women and men construct and discuss family planning according to the social norms of their community and are influenced by their social networks.These networks are structured by gender dynamics in regard to contraceptive use, fertility intention, and spacing and limiting family size.Reproductive decisions reflect entrenched male dominance.Women and men are confronted with different expectations and are under different pressures. These include individual choices, coexistence of western and indigenous family models, traditional expectations, and religious factors.Women and men may be influenced by the proximity of Maputo city where urban life may restrict fertility preferences. For instance, couples in urban/peri-urban areas with few economic resources may be inclined to have fewer children due the cost of living. In rural areas, to theand young adults. Most clients commonly said "it happened", "God sent the child", "It is a contra part a woman has to give to her husband", or "It is fate". On the contrary, if an adolescent gets pregnant, it is perceived as unintended because it will lead to the girl dropping out of school.

Prestige of having children: Dhawi's perceptions {#Sec13}
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To illustrate the prestige associated to having a child, this study used the Dhawi's story. Dhawi is a 43 year-old woman married in a traditional ceremony termed *lovolo*, in native language. Like most women interviewed, Dhawi believes a woman gains prestige when she is able to give birth. Living in economic difficulty since she was a child, she believes when her own children grow up, they will look after her.