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Forty years ago modern contraception was sold to women as part of a liberation package: at last they would be in control of their fertility and their lives. The pill was their passport to fewer children, economic independence and, as it soon appeared, the kind of sexual freedom that previously only men had enjoyed.
Already, however, governments had bought the pill for another reason: as a means of thinning the ranks of the poor. To reduce the burden of supporting them the United States government, for example, has funded birth control for those on welfare or near the poverty line ever since 1972.
Today, both agendas are incomplete; if anything, they are more formidable than ever.
Millions of women the world over are raising children on their own; countless others have endured an abortion, suffered a sexually transmitted disease, lost their fertility, developed cancer. Birthrates have plunged — although not as much as desired among the target populations — but welfare spending continues to grow as states replace fathers and breadwinners in an increasing number of homes.
To address these problems the American President has authorised a bold new scheme. From August 1st next year, all contraception and voluntary sterilisations will be free, sort of.
Continue reading “Can contraception make America better?”
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- Image: Kora Organics
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