What's your theory on why the abortion rate has stopped declining?

According to a recent article in The Washington Post, the abortion rate in America -- which declined every year from 1990 to 2005 -- has hit a plateau in the past few years. Those on both the anti-abortion and pro-choice side of the debate want to know why.

"It's kind of a wake-up call that we need to increase access to contraceptives services so we can continue to prevent unintended pregnancies and the decline in abortions can continue again," said Rachel K. Jones, a senior research associate at the nonprofit Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research center.

The new data comes courtesy of a survey of 1800 providers, to be published in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. Though the survey didn't collect data on why the decline may have ceased, some speculate the recession plays a part. Women who might not be able to afford contraceptives could find themselves with unwanted pregnancies which they feel they also could not afford.

"One explanation is that women who were poor who found themselves with an unintended pregnancy in the middle of a recession who in other circumstances would have said 'Okay, I'll go ahead and have a baby' would just say, 'I just can't do this right now' and get an abortion," said Jones. "That would slow down the decline."

Another survey from the CDC did not show an increase in contraceptive use between 2006-2008.

The National Right-to-Life Committee's Randall K. O'Bannon believes the use of RU-486, the "morning after pill," is to blame. The survey found that use increased 24 percent and accounted for 17 percent of all abortions.

"The abortion industry has been busy promoting its products," O'Bannon said. "It's trying to change what the image of abortion is - like it's as safe and simple as taking a pill. That's certainly a major factor."

femme fatale wrote:Its probably the economy. With so many people out of work, in between jobs and laid off, many probably can't stick it out with an accidental pregnancy.