New Study Confirms What Women Already Know: Birth Control Is an Economic Issue
Spread the word
|
|
Earlier this year, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to women by protecting access to no-cost birth control. Unfortunately, this important declaration in support of women’s health hasn’t stopped some politicians from trying to take away this critical benefit under the idea that employers should decide instead.
By now, everybody is familiar with this essential stat: more than 99 percent of sexually active American women have used birth control at some point in their lives — and they’ve taken it for a number of different reasons. But now, a new study from the Guttmacher Institute is asking them HOW birth control affects their lives.
Here’s what they found:
By now, everybody is familiar with this essential stat: more than 99 percent of sexually active American women have used birth control at some point in their lives — and they’ve taken it for a number of different reasons. But now, a new study from the Guttmacher Institute is asking them HOW birth control affects their lives.
Here’s what they found:
-
63 percent said using birth control to prevent pregnancy has allowed them to “take better care of myself or my family.’”
-
56 percent said it helps them support themselves financially.
-
51 percent said birth control allowed them to complete their education and 51 percent said it helped them get or keep a job.
The report concludes (and rightfully so!) that birth control offers a means of economic empowerment. It offers women a chance to plan for their future and invest in their careers. Sixty percent agreed with the statement, “When I use birth control, I have better control over my life.” When women take birth control they are taking responsibility for their lives and choices. Not being able to afford a baby or not being ready for children were also considered important reasons for using birth control.
Perhaps politicians should take note of this study and realize that affordable access to birth control is not a political or religious issue, it’s a women’s health issue and very much an economic issue.
