This monograph focuses on men's potentially positive role in family planning. In addition, it identifies reasons why so few organized family planning programs have targeted men as clients and why men have so often played a peripheral or negative role in family planning. The document is presented in seven chapters. Chapter I introduces the topic and relates the involvement of men in family planning to social and economic development, men's self-interest, public health, and men's role in the family and in society. Chapter II relates reproductive biology to the macho myth and explains how large families often mean higher social status in developing countries. Chapter III compares traditional methods of male and female contraception. Chapter IV discusses recent research on the male birth control pill. Chapter V presents an overview of family planning programs for men in developing and developed nations. Chapter VI explores considerations upon which couples and societies base their choices regarding family planning. Major considerations include effectiveness, side effects, availability, cost, and safety. The final chapter suggests how men can play a more responsible role in family planning. Changes necessary to bring about increased male responsibility include more support for male contraceptive research and male birth control programs, more liberal approaches by businesses and marketing companies toward contraception, and expanded school and community sex education programs. (DB)