Restricted contraceptive access functions as coerced childbearing in poor nations

Evidence

A group of leading theologians representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other denominations issued an open letter through the Religious Institute affirming contraceptive access as a moral obligation. In their analysis of the issue, “contraception allows for a fulfilling sexual life while reducing maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancies, abortions, and sexually transmitted diseases” (Religious Institute, 2012). They regard denial of access to contraceptive methods as “coercive childbearing.” Millions of women in developing countries want to exercise control over their fertility, but they cannot do so because they lack family planning and contraceptive services (Singh & Darroch, 2012). As a result, they have unplanned children whom they cannot care for adequately. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 2597

Categorization

• DEFINE: The term ‘coercive childbearing’ is a useful conceptual reframe: framing denial of access as an active coercive act rather than a passive absence.
• XREF: Connects to the book’s core theme of moral disengagement: the moral language of fidelity/procreation masks a structural harm. — connects to: Widespread contraceptive availability increases women’s sexual freedom and premarital experience.