Nearly half of the pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Births resulting from unplanned pregnancies can have significant, negative consequences for women, their families, and society as a whole. Effective birth control methods are expensive, thus, a significant number of women in low-income households do not use them. A variety of birth control methods should be free for females above the age defined by each state as the legal age of consent, because it improves the lives of women, kids, and society.
Free birth control would enhance the lives of women. It would allow these women to gain an education, career, financial stability, and improved health. Preventing an unwanted pregnancy, especially in younger women, allows them to stay in school and graduate. Statistics say that “around 70 percent of pregnant teens drop out of high school, which is a much higher number than the drop out rate for teens who do not become pregnant” (Pregnant Teen Help). Teens that drop out of school have fewer opportunities for themselves, and their children are also less likely to succeed in school or careers. Additionally, women on birth control would be able to explore careers that interest them without limitations. For example, if a single mom just got offered a one in a million job opportunity that allows her to travel to all parts of the world. This has been her dream job since she could remember. Unfortunately, she will have to decline because she cannot leave her child behind. Many single mothers have limited their capabilities career-wise because they had a child when they were not ready. Also, preventing unwanted pregnancies will decrease poverty. Women that have access to birth control will improve their financial stability by avoiding pregnancy costs such as prenatal and postnatal
care.
Having a baby is costly; many single mothers simply do not have the finances to support a baby. Some do not get any support from their partner or family,...