Why The Power to Decide Matters
Having the power to decide if, when, and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child increases young people’s opportunities to be healthy, to complete their education, and to pursue the future they want. But too many young people—especially those who are economically disadvantaged or marginalized—lack that power.
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Unplanned Pregnancy
Women who decide to become pregnant and have a child, rather than having it just happen, are better prepared emotionally and financially for the demands of having a baby. But they can’t make that decision if they lack information and access to contraception. Today about 80 percent of pregnancies among young women are described by the women themselves as unplanned. We need to change that!
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Teen Pregnancy
Nearly all teen pregnancies are unplanned. That is, teens say they did not want to get pregnant or cause a pregnancy. But teens lack access to the information and contraceptive methods they need to follow their intentions.
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The Cost
When young people are denied the power to decide their future, they have to adapt to their circumstances rather than leaping fully into wide-open opportunity. Unplanned pregnancy can dash the education, career, and economic dreams of young women and their children.
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