Recession and Unplanned Pregnancy

Recession is a nasty word but unfortunately it has become a realistic fixture in most households in America. Everything from gas prices to phone service costs are soaring and even the most agressive penny pinchers still feel the squeeze.  Think these financial woes are only for seasoned adults? Wrong.

Recession, unemployment and rising costs are not just affecting married adults with mortgages. The problems are trickling down to influence the choices of the next generation-American teenagers and college students.  If mom and dad don't have any spare money and the part time job isn't even paying for a movie ticket then teenagers must also make financial cuts.  Unfortunately, it's usually in the sexual health and safety department. Birth control costs have increased nearly 900% since 2005 making the average cost of birth control pills alone go from $5-$7 to upwards of $50 a month*.  If you're a college student, teenager or just a single woman with low income then this is a huge concern. 
The quick answer by some conservatives is that all people, including children, teens and young women, should be more responsible. But as history has shown youth and responsibility do not usually work hand in hand.  As a teen or college student if you had to choose between making your car payment, buying books or eating than naturally that is a priority over your pills. All sorts of ridiculous ideas regarding home made birth control methods have surfaced to accomodate the burdened budget.  Here are some quotes that are personal favorites of mine that I have heard from teenagers between 16 and 19 years old:

"Use the 'pull out' method then take a bath in hot water."
"Only have sex after you have your period. It takes a while for your body to grow another egg."
"Insert toothpaste into your vagina before intercourse. Sperm can't swim in toothpaste."
"After sex, do 20 jumping jacks then go to the bathroom. Gravity will take its course."
"Saran wrap is just as good as a condom and much cheaper!"

Not only do these phrases make me realize how ignorant our society is regarding sex but that supposedly these methods are tested, tried and true pregnancy preventors....and all without having to pay for a doctors visit or pricey pills. 
The one thing that has never slowed down regardless of recession, war, natural disaster, imprisonment or even the threat of death is sexual intercourse. So recession or no recession sex will continue full speed ahead as it always has since the beginning of time.  Unfortunately the lack of cash to properly protect oneself while engaging in the worlds favorite pastime means unintended pregnancies in teens and young adults will continue to rise until the money starts filtering back into their hands or until the prices become affordable. 

Recession and the rise in unplanned pregnancies have always seemed co-dependent partners for some time.  Recession causes unplanned pregnancies in some of America's poorest and youngest citizens. Then more and more unplanned children are born which depletes what little income some of these same Americans receive keeping them in a constant underprivileged state.

It's a viscious circle that will continue its path like a tornado growing strength. Until the prices of birth control comes down or the incomes go up, sexual health and protection is just one more of life's luxuries under serious budget cuts in order to prevent homelessness. Your home or your health? Tough choice. 

*Statistics from Planned Parenthood