Did you know that 49% of pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended? I sure didn't.

Thankfully, people like Krystale Littlejohn and Professor Paula England of Stanford University's Sociology Department - are looking into how we can change that statistic:

With studies indicating that lower-educated women and women in their 20s account for more than half of all abortions, the Stanford researchers want to know why more women in those groups are not consistently using birth control, especially when they don't want to get pregnant.

"We're trying to figure out where the system is breaking down," England said. "You need to get to the point where contraception is so convenient and user-friendly that people who don't want to get pregnant use it all the time."

The researchers want to know if the inconsistencies in birth control use are because of a lack of information, services or self-control. They want to know if the cost of contraception is a factor. They want to know if partners are uncooperative when it comes to wearing a condom.

And they're asking how women learn about birth control.

I'm willing to bet that the last decade of abstinence-only education has a little something to do with these numbers - but I'm sure access and cost are also factors. If you've ever gone without birth control...care to share why?

• Tags:
• health
• Abstinence-Only Education
• Sex

View Original Post at feministing.com