The Best Intentions: Unintended Pregnancy and the Well-Being of Children and Families (Summary)

Abstract:
[ARCHIVED] The Committee on Unintended Pregnancy has concluded that the extent of unintended pregnancy and its consequences are poorly appreciated in the U.S. Although much attention is focused on teen pregnancy, nonmarital childbearing, and abortion, the common link among these issues--pregnancy that is unintended at the time of conception--is essentially invisible. Thus, most proposed remedies ignore the common underlying cause or address only one aspect of the problem, and a few vulnerable groups are singled out for criticism. The committee recommends that the nation adopt a new social norm that all pregnancies should be intended--that is, consciously and clearly desired at the time of conception. The goal is directed to all Americans and does not target only one group. It emphasizes personal choice and intent, and it speaks as much to planning for pregnancy as to avoiding unintended pregnancy. To begin building national consensus around this norm, the committee recommends a multifaceted, long-term campaign to educate the public about the major social and public health burdens of unintended pregnancy and stimulate a comprehensive set of activities at the national, state, and local levels to reduce such pregnancies. This publication explores goals of the proposed campaign, including such factors as contraception; feelings, attitudes, and motivation; local programs to reduce unintended pregnancy; and research in several areas.

Author(s): N/A


Date Published: 1/1/1995

Pages: 20

Location Code: 6313