However, following a recent community awareness program this is increasing, although there is still some reluctance to attend. Although most Samoan women have heard of these services, they need to be encouraged to utilise them, particularly when they are attending a health service for some other reason. Most Samoan women are aware of Family Planning. Some are experiencing a freeing of cultural influences on their attitude toward sexuality. Child rearing is not restricted to natural parents.
Samoan families feel it is important that children are spoken to in their own language.
Some mothers do not send their children to play groups or preschool centres in case the child's learning about Samoan language, culture and discipline is prematurely interrupted. Both Samoans and Tongans tend to have many children. Women may need to be strongly encouraged to attend antenatal care, and the importance of this needs to be explained to them. Here some may need to be reassured that it is fine for them to do their housework themselves if they have no help. However, others of the younger generation are more inclined to do everything themselves.