# Free birth control lowers abortion rate dramatically **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 5, 2012, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810 "2012-10-05T14:53:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/61 "2012-10-06T03:40:46Z")
> [@Mrs.Cake](#): > > What would you do if you were a poor billionaire? Be really peeved at how bad inflation has gotten, before filling a wheelbarrow with my rent money. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/62 "2012-10-06T04:12:57Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > …I’ve found that 90% of the stuff I post gets ignored anyway. > > \ > > Again, there is state level data and multiple studies which back this up, as incredulous as it seems. Cite? Maybe if you had solid data to back your assertions you would not be ignored as much. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/63 "2012-10-06T06:04:59Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Be really peeved at how bad inflation has gotten, before filling a wheelbarrow with my rent money. An old joke: A man falls into a coma, and awakens a century later. When he has recovered, a government man comes to his bedside. “Your bank accounts remained open, and have been earning you interest while you were asleep. Here is a credit card with the balance on it - $50 million.” The man is stunned, and thanks his caregivers profusely. They’ve given him the phone number of one of his relatives. He goes out into the street, looks at the flying cars and then decides to call his relative. He goes into a phonebooth (I told you it was an old joke) and picks up the receiver. The automated voice of the operator comes on the line “Please deposit one million dollars for the first three minutes…” ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/64 "2012-10-06T06:08:29Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > This again? I swear this pops up every couple of months. You can simply look at readily accessible state level U.S. data to see this really isn’t true, since people don’t use birth control for lack of cost, but rather because they simply don’t want to. How would you come to this conclusion by just looking at statistics? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/65 "2012-10-06T06:13:10Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > I don’t think you _really_ want to go down this track. I mean, I’m game for it, though I’ve found that 90% of the stuff I post gets ignored anyway. > > As it is, the central premise of these threads/studies always starts from two false assumptions-- “women have abortions because they can’t afford birth control” and “women weigh the cost of using birth control against the cost of an abortion”-- when the correct statements are that “women have abortions even though they have easy access to birth control” and “women weigh the cost of birth control against the cost of having a child and the cost of an abortion against the cost of having a child, not the cost of birth control against the cost of an abortion”. > > Again, there is state level data and multiple studies which back this up, as incredulous as it seems. If you had bothered to read the cite you’d see the relationship between affordable birth control and the abortion rate was not an assumption but a conclusion. I think it is fairly obvious that those having unprotected sex are not thinking about abortions at all. I’d suspect the choice is sex or no sex. Call them sluts if you will, but the abortion decision comes up well after this. And just as obviously women are not getting free birth control with the intention of reducing the number of abortions either. It just happens that way. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/66 "2012-10-06T06:52:31Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > If I were a rich billionaire, I would set up stands all over the country and give out nothing except over-the-counter contraceptives and information on how to get more. So you want to be [Melinda Gates](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57470508-10391704/melinda-gates-promotes-birth-control-as-an-important-part-of-family-planning/)? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/67 "2012-10-06T13:55:47Z")
> [@Kearsen](#): > > You do realize that some people can be against abortion in general and for contraception but maybe take issue with the word “free”? It isn’t free, right? Yep. And since when do I have to give a woman “free” birth control in order to not treat her like dirt? Seems to me that the belief that they must be given “free” stuff is treating them like children. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/68 "2012-10-06T15:18:27Z")
> [@Saraya](#): > > But if kids are old enough to have sex then they’re old enough to at least carry some of the burden of their choices - and increasing sexual ‘awareness’ or giving them a free pass ala birth control, is surely not an answer either. Of course it is. We already know that you want women punished for having sex. They should be allowed a good fuck without needing “carry the burden” for it. That’s kinda the point of birth control. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/69 "2012-10-06T15:43:17Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yep. And since when do I have to give a woman “free” birth control in order to not treat her like dirt? Seems to me that the belief that they must be given “free” stuff is treating them like children. I feel that way about roads. We are treating everyone like children. If you can’t afford to pay the tolls, don’t drive. It’s as simple as that. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/70 "2012-10-06T18:13:57Z")
> [@fumster](#): > > I feel that way about roads. We are treating everyone like children. If you can’t afford to pay the tolls, don’t drive. It’s as simple as that. BZZZZT! Bad analogy. First of all, everyone\* who uses the road does pay. Roads are financed in large part by gasoline taxes. Secondly, we do have toll roads. Are people treated “like dirt” if they can’t afford the toll? I’d like the OP to come back and tell us why women, the vast majority of whom can readily afford to buy birth control, are treated “like dirt” if they are not given it for free (aka, paid for by everyone). \*Please don’t bring up electric cars. As soon as they become a big part of the driving public, we’ll find a way of taxing them, too. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/71 "2012-10-06T18:26:05Z")
Free birth control, for that matter any birth control, family planning or women’s health services are the target of the Republican party, to be done away with because it means women are having sex and not paying the price for being slatterns and hussies like Jebus commanded. That’s what I mean by “treated like dirt.” The “free” part is just a bonus issue, and one I am quite willing to pay taxes for, as opposed to global wars and tax breaks for oil companies. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/72 "2012-10-06T19:07:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Free birth control, for that matter any birth control, family planning or women’s health services are the target of the Republican party, to be done away with because it means women are having sex and not paying the price for being slatterns and hussies like Jebus commanded. That’s what I mean by “treated like dirt.” The “free” part is just a bonus issue, and one I am quite willing to pay taxes for, as opposed to global wars and tax breaks for oil companies. Undoubtedly, some Republicans feel that way. If you are going to state that the majority of Republicans feel that way, you are going to have to prove it. Besides, your OP is what is known in the business as the fallacy of the excluded middle. Sometimes called a false dichotomy. It’s also poisoning the well, but what’s one more fallacy between friends? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/73 "2012-10-06T21:28:51Z")
Hey, all I wanted to do was get a little discussion going and draw out the easy targets like **Saraya** and **OMG**. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/74 "2012-10-06T21:35:11Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yep. And since when do I have to give a woman “free” birth control in order to not treat her like dirt? Because not doing so is either an attempt to intimidate them into not having sex, or force them to have children. Because doing so is destructive to society and will in the end cost you and everyone else more money due to the resulting unwanted children, so the motive isn’t selfishness; it’s hate. You are willing to take a financial hit in order to hurt women. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/75 "2012-10-06T22:09:12Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yep. And since when do I have to give a woman “free” birth control in order to not treat her like dirt? Seems to me that the belief that they must be given “free” stuff is treating them like children. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Because not doing so is either an attempt to intimidate them into not having sex, or force them to have children. Because doing so is destructive to society and will in the end cost you and everyone else more money due to the resulting unwanted children, so the motive isn’t selfishness; it’s hate. You are willing to take a financial hit in order to hurt women. No, I think **John Mace** has a point. While the free birth control is, on balance, a good thing, it’s not what I would do if my primary concern was showing respect for women, by treating them as autonomous adults who could be trusted to be responsible for their own reproductive business. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/76 "2012-10-06T22:21:40Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yep. And since when do I have to give a woman “free” birth control in order to not treat her like dirt? Seems to me that the belief that they must be given “free” stuff is treating them like children. Well, “free” birth control, if you believe the study, actually pays society in lots of ways. So, consider it an investment. It isn’t the opposition to it that implies treating women like dirt. It is opposing it because it just lets those poor trash women have more sex without consequences that is treating women like dirt. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/77 "2012-10-06T22:36:55Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > While the free birth control is, on balance, a good thing, it’s not what I would do if my primary concern was showing respect for women, by treating them as autonomous adults who could be trusted to be responsible for their own reproductive business. “Sucks to be you” is not “showing respect for women”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/78 "2012-10-06T23:02:05Z")
I must confess, I’m completely baffled by **Saraya** ’s position. As I’m understanding you, you want teenagers to be dissuaded from sex by the consequences. But you _also_ want them the rest of society to not talk about sex to teenagers. How are they supposed to learn about the consequences which are supposed to dissuade them? And getting back to the OP, I should also point out that many opponents of abortion consider the action of an IUD to be a form of abortion. Now, I happen to think that this view is fundamentally illogical, but many people disagree. For such folks, the knowledge that access to IUDs decreases other forms of abortion would have very little persuasive power. ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/79 "2012-10-07T00:11:52Z")
I had a serious point I wanted to make here about sex ed and trusting in the intelligence of our children and crazypants repressive thinking, but trying to type it made my blood boil so I’ll just say this instead: Teen sex is awesome. Your hormones are on full alert and every single thing is sexy and there are so many partner options and chances are that your bodies are looking as good as they ever will and it’s the perfect time to be learning about and experimenting with sex. It just is. Woo! I feel better now 😃 ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810/80 "2012-10-07T00:12:12Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hey, all I wanted to do was get a little discussion going and draw out the easy targets like **Saraya** and **OMG**. 😃 Sorry. I won’t get in the way of that! > [@Voyager](#): > > Well, “free” birth control, if you believe the study, actually pays society in lots of ways. So, consider it an investment. Except that most women can afford birth control. I’m happy to help women who can’t afford it. I’m not happy to help those who can. > [@](#): > > It isn’t the opposition to it that implies treating women like dirt. It is opposing it because it just lets those poor trash women have more sex without consequences that is treating women like dirt. No doubt some people think that, as I said earlier. I’m open to proof that most people who oppose “free” birth control think that way. Got any? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-lowers-abortion-rate-dramatically/636810.md?page=5)