5 Reasons We Say "Thanks, Birth Control!"
There are many reasons why birth control is so important and even more reasons why thousands of people nationwide are saying “thanks, birth control”. The why behind all this love for birth control varies, but one thing seems to be true across racial and socioeconomic lines: birth control is popular. We're not making it up: 99% of all American women who have ever had sex have used birth control (that's including 98% of Catholic women!).
The large majority of Americans are saying "thanks, birth control"—not just women! More than 80% of American adults agree that birth control is a basic part of women's health care and 89% of Americans find birth control morally acceptable. Here are five birth control benefits we can all be thankful for:
1. BIRTH CONTROL ALLOWS YOU TO DECIDE IF, WHEN, AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES TO BECOME PREGNANT.
Better access to effective methods of birth control means men and women have the power to decide the number of children they want to have and when (and with whom) they want to have them. Birth control also gives people freedom to decide not to have children at all!
2. PLANNING PREGNANCIES MAKES EVERYONE HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER.
Deciding when—if ever—and under what circumstances to have kids means having more freedom to pursue educational, personal, and professional goals. A few fun facts:
- Research has found a link between better birth control access and big educational and professional gains for women.
- Research suggests that couples are more prepared to be parents—and more likely to stay together—when they can plan their pregnancies.
- 77% of women say birth control allows them to take better care of themselves and their families.
3. BIRTH CONTROL HAS HEALTH BENEFITS.
Being able to decide when to get pregnant has major health benefits in itself. In fact, it has the power to save lives. And it’s good for babies.
But the health benefits of birth control don’t stop there. Lots of women use birth control for reasons other than pregnancy prevention. Depending on the method, birth control can:
- decrease the risk of ovarian cancer;
- help with ovarian cysts;
- help you get in touch with your body;
- protect against sexually transmitted infections; and
- help with heavy or painful periods.
4. BIRTH CONTROL IS GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Globally, the United Nations Population Fund estimates that more than 63 million women get pregnant unintentionally every year. Giving women the tools to plan their pregnancies is good for both their family and also for planet.
Any method of preventing unplanned pregnancy is green, and there are some methods like the Paragard IUD that take eco-friendly to the next level!
5. BIRTH CONTROL HAS CHANGED THE GAME!
Did you know that we sent a man to the moon before birth control was made legal for women? Or that there were no women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies before birth control was made legal? When women have access to the full range of birth control methods and have the power to decide their futures, everyone benefits!
So whether finishing a degree, waiting for the right partner, waiting till they make partner, dealing with a health condition that could be aggravated by a pregnancy, or just enjoying their independence for a while, the decision to start a family should belong to the individual (or the couple).
