Survey: Economy Making Women Wait on Children, Could Increase Abortions

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Sep 23, 2009   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Survey: Economy Making Women Wait on Children, Could Increase Abortions

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
September 23
, 2009

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — A new survey conducted by the pro-abortion Alan Guttmacher Institute has produced the first hard evidence showing that women are waiting to have children because of the economic downturn. Although the poll did not ask women about abortion, abortions could be rising as a result.

Researchers at AGI, a former Planned Parenthood affiliate, found that, because of current economic concerns, nearly half of women surveyed want to delay pregnancy or limit the number of children they have.

The survey also found that women are more interested in using birth control and contraception as a result.

The AGI Internet poll of women found more than half worry more now about their ability to take care of their children given the state of the economy.

“The recession has put many women—including middle-class women who are having trouble making ends meet—in an untenable situation. They want to avoid unintended pregnancy more than ever, but at the same time are having difficulty affording the out-of-pocket costs of [birth control or contraception]," Sharon Camp, Guttmacher president, said.

Nearly half of surveyed women (44%) report that, because of the economy, they want to reduce or delay their childbearing. Most of these women want to get pregnant later (31%), want fewer children (28%) or now do not want any more children (7%).

Sixty-four percent of women agree with the statement, “With the economy the way it is, I can’t afford to have a baby right now.”

The survey provides additional anecdotal evidence that abortions are likely on the rise during the last 12-24 months.

In March, in an email to its supporters, the national’s largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood, admitted that abortions are climbing at its centers across the country thanks to the poor economy.

"As the economic downturn has worsened, Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are seeing an increase in the number of patients," the pro-abortion group’s president Cecile Richards said.

According to Richards, Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa now adds about five or six women each day to its client roster, whereas it formerly added that many patients on only a weekly basis.

She also notes that Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in northern California saw a 21 percent jump (from the previous December) in the number of patients they saw in December 2008.

Her comments followed an Associated Press report that cited various staff at abortion centers saying they are seeing record numbers of abortions.

Abortion doesn’t have to be the option of first resort for women and families during tough economic times. A network of thousands of pregnancy centers exists that provides couples with free or low-cost pregnancy-related items to help them weather the storm a little easier.

There are more than 2,300 pregnancy centers across the United States — significantly more than the number of abortion businesses. Unlike abortion facilities, these centers help pregnant women with baby and maternity resources, parenting classes, adoption, medical and educational needs, counseling, community referrals and support for women who had abortions they regret.

Care Net supports a network of more than 1,000 pregnancy centers in North America.

Together with the pregnancy center network Heartbeat International, it operates the 24-7 call center, OptionLine (800-395-HELP) that connects callers with help at local pregnancy centers.

Related web sites:
Care Net – https://www.care-net.org
Find a pregnancy center – https://www.pregnancycenters.org

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