The current global economic climate has caused everyone to rethink many aspects of life. From grocery shopping to kids’ extra curricular activities, budgets are a bit tighter and money spending much more judicious. Revamping a food budget isn’t the only thing giving adults pause these days, as a recent survey reported that women are also rethinking motherhood.
The survey found that due to concern over the economy, many American women are rethinking pregnancy with nearly half of the women surveyed stating they would limit the number of children they have or delay pregnancy altogether.
The same survey, however, also found that women were pulling back on birth control in an effort to save money by either switching to a less expensive method or forgoing it altogether. Researchers note that the economy has put women in a tough situation, particularly middle class women who are having difficulty making ends meet.
Researchers from the non-profit Alan Guttmacher Institute, who conducted the survey, explain that despite the fact the surveyed women reported wanting to avoid an unexpected pregnancy more than ever, they are simultaneously unable to afford the out of pocket costs of prescription contraception.
The survey reflects the responses of about 1,000 nationally represented women, and also found that as many as 1 in 4 women had put off their routine visit to the gynecologist to help save money. Back in May of this year, a Gallup Survey conducted for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) found similar results with a marked increase in the concern for unintended pregnancies because of financial reasons. The Gallup Survey also found women are delaying their important well-woman or annual exams as well as skimping on birth control pills. While the economy has affected everyone in some way, ACOG representatives explain that it is affecting women in the most personal and intimate areas of their lives.
Tags: late motherhood
