PIP: Data from a survey carried out in Barbados indicate that although both men's and women's role conceptions for themselves are traditional in nature as they relate to family planning decisions and behavior, the role of the male is not as insignificant as one is led to believe from the typical portrayal of what is known as the matrifocal lower class black family. The data came from 2 sample surveys, 1 comprised of 630 men and the other of 4199 women, both from lower and lower middle class black men and women. Analysis of results indicates that both the men and women consider a man's job as the bread-winner of the family as more important than his role in contraception and family planning. Concerning how one's role perception as the bread-winner is related to his role perception as the decision-maker regarding family planning, results indicate that men who consider it their duty to provide for the family do not disproportionately consider it also their duty to make the decisions regarding family planning. Joint responsibility in making contraceptive decisions is widely recognized by both the men and women. Those men and women who have discussed contraception and family with their partners tend to have a more positive attitude and are more inclined to practice birth control compared to those who have not discussed such topics with their partners. It is concluded that the impact of interspousal communication on fertility decline is significant, and the role of the male in family planning can no longer be ignored by those interested in promoting family planning.