Family planning is a series of tools designed to help couples exert control over the number and timing of children. While family-planning services are widely available in the United States, many areas of the developing world do not enjoy similar access. Given the significant role that family planning plays in improving women's lives and benefiting societies in general, expanding access to family-planning services has become a vital international priority.
Preventing Abortions
Family planning can play a pivotal role in preventing abortions. Since unplanned pregnancies are much more likely to be aborted, reducing the number of unplanned pregnancies through family planning can significantly decrease the number of abortions. This effect is particularly relevant in countries that restrict access to abortions, as abortions in these areas are more likely to put women's health at risk.
Improving Maternal Health
Family planning plays a role in women's health beyond just preventing unsafe abortions. According to Family Health International, women who have more children are, in general, more likely to suffer complications during pregnancy. Allowing a woman to limit her number of overall births reduces the likelihood that she will suffer pregnancy-related health issues. Family planning can also improve women's health by preventing high-risk pregnancies. According to the Guttmacher Institute, maternal mortality rates in many developing countries are significantly higher among teenagers as well as women in their late 30s. Reducing pregnancies in these groups could significantly impact overall maternal mortality.
Expanding Women's Choices
Family planning can be instrumental in expanding the options available to women. The ability to delay or avoid pregnancy can enable women to take advantage of educational or career opportunities that might otherwise be unavailable to them. If women do decide to have children, family planning can help them to space children in such a way that they do not interfere with career aspirations.
Improving Children's Health
Family planning also plays a role in children's health. Women experiencing planned pregnancies are more likely to get good prenatal care to ensure that they have healthy babies. Family planning also promotes children's health by encouraging women's education, as women with higher levels of education tend to be more knowledgeable about nutrition and other children's health issues.
Reducing Poverty
Family planning can also impact the prevalence of poverty. Families with fewer children may enjoy a higher standard of living because they don't have to spend as much money on necessities like food and clothing. By encouraging women's education, family planning can help women achieve well-paying careers outside of the home, a phenomenon that helps both families and societies. Women with more education are also more likely to encourage their children to receive more education.
References
- Family Health International: The Importance of Family Planning in Reducing Maternal Mortality
- United Nations Population Fund's State of World Population 2005: Strategic Investment -- The Equality Dividend
- United Nations Population Fund: Family Planning
- Guttmacher Institute: Women and Societies Benefit When Childbearing is Planned
- USAID: Frequently Asked Questions About USAID's Family Planning Services
