The Effects of Artificial Contraception on our Society

[Journeyman]

This post is a follow-up to a thread I started last week regarding why the divorce rate has increased so much over the years. I have been able to do some research on the topic and am posting this as a separate thread to get feedback.

The divorce rate per 1000 people in 1950 was 2.6. In 1960, it hit a low of 2.2. In 1961, the birth control pill was first introduced for public usage. In 1965, divorce rate was up to 2.5 and then in 1970 the rate was 3.5. This is 59% increase in the divorce rate in a decade and since the introduction of the pill.

In 1965, fours years after the introduction of the pill, 37% of married women were using a contraception method that was thought to have a very low failure rate, primarily the pill and to a lesser extent sterilization. So, in 1960, prior to the pill, few couples, probably less than 10% were using a low failure rate contraception method (sterilization).

By 1973, usage of low failure rate contraception methods (consisting of sterilization, the pill, and now the IUD) was at 69% of married couples not seeking pregnancy. Quite a jump since 1965 and obviously a huge jump since 1960. So in 13 years since 1960, the majority of married couples not wanting a pregnancy were able to be 99% confident that sexual intercourse would not result in a pregnancy. Just 13 years earlier, the rate was less than 10%, almost all through sterilization.

In 1973, the divorce rate was still going sharply higher, and was up to 4.3 per 1,000 people while the marriage rate had only slightly increased since 1960. So from 1960 to 1973, the divorce rate was up almost 100%. It is quite a coincidence that this 100% increase went along with the huge increase in the usage of low failure rate contraception methods.

Note that in the early to mid seventies states began implementing no-fault divorce laws, so this would have had an effect also, but prior to these new laws, the divorce rate was already skyrocketing.

Interestingly, the divorce rate from 1973 to 1981 went from 4.3 to 5.1. So the rate still increased, but the increase was much smaller. The use of low failure rate contraception also increased a small amount, but only a couple % points. However, there is less use of the pill and a lot higher use of sterilization for couples where the women is over 35

continued on next post----->>>

 

[Journeyman]

<<-----------continued from prior post

Since the early 1980’s, the divorce rate has been steady or down a bit, as the marriage rate has come down a bit also. This might be due to a higher rate of cohabitation and/or a smaller population in the young adult population compared to when the baby boomers were young adults in the 1960’s to 1980’s.

I have read and heard that the increase of women in the work force might be the reason for the increase in the divorce rate. More women working might mean less dependence on men and therefore divorce might be easier. But labor statistics do not support this argument. The percentage of women working has grown steadily since 1960, but the largest percentage growth has been from 1973 to the early 80’s. As noted above, the largest growth in the divorce rate occurred from 1960 to 1973, prior to the largest increase in women working in the labor force.

One other thing of note—The National Organization for Women (NOW) started in 1966.

With these statistics in mind, how do you think the introduction of the low failure rate contraceptives such as the “pill”, IUD, and wide use of surgical sterilization have impacted our society? What have been some of the bad effects and what are some of the good effects?

And more importantly, how would society be different now if these methods did not exist or were not widely utilized over the past 30 years?

 

[T.A.Stobie_SFO]

Artificial Contraception is only a symptom of a bigger problem.

The bigger problem is the Culture of Hedonism & Death and the attitudes “If I feels good, do it” & “If I can get away with it, it is ok”.

The acceptance of the Culture of Hedonism & Death by American (worldwide?) society has lead the world in a moral ceaspool where many evils become acceptable (and even encouraged) by society.

These include:

• Artificial Contraception,
• Forced Sterlization,
• Population Control,
• Selective Elimination (such as Nazi death camps),
• Euthanasia,
• Sexual Promisciuty,
• Temporary Marriage,
• No-fault Divorce,
• Homosexual Acts,
• Pornography,
• Prostitution,
• Deviant Sexual Behavior,
• Disposable Employees,
• Excessive Lawsuits,
• Selective Morality,
• Politicians claiming an exemption from being moral in their public duties,
• Abortion, &
• Discrimination against those who Advocate Morality.

I am sure I missed some as well.

 

[Rascal]

The statistics that are stuck in my head are something like this. The latest census data before (or after?) the Church of England approved contraception in 1930 was something like 1 in 14 marriages ended in divorce. This increased considerably by the 1960s. Of course, it’s hovering around 1 of every 2 currently.

IMHO, I don’t see how that can’t have an affect. The moment you lose respect for life and other people (especially spouse), everything else falls out of place. One of the promises of contraception was happier marriages. I think it’s fair to say that it’s been a miserable failure.

 

[Arlene_Alice]

The Vatican predicted many years ago that the use of contraception was a grave evil that would affect our personal relationships, marriage, family, health and finally society. This prophecy has sadly come true. And yet the world loathes these men from Rome who could fortell the fate of a promiscuous, contracepted world.

Dr. Chris Kallenborjn has recently written a book giving evidence to a link between Breast Cancer Disease and the use of the Pill. Certainly, heavy doses of hormones, based in steroids cannot but do harm to a woman’s delicate physical makeup.

I wish I had the following references at hand, but I read where the early Church Fathers warned the faithful about the use of then primitive contraceptive devices…such as condoms made out of sheep’s gut, strong chemical potions that would abort a child, etc. Contraception is not a new idea…neither is abortion, which is usually the result of failed contraception.

I find it sinister that drug companies would render a woman temporarily sterile with the use of the Pill, and yet offer men a Pill that would render them more sexually potent!

Than they sing the song…you’ve come a long way, baby! And Feminists chime in, Equal Rights! Bah, humbug!

To answer your question - when you defy God’s way and Nature’s way, you wind up the loser! Natural Family Planning www.ccli.org/ is the natural way. No drugs, no pills, no devices. The rate of divorce among those who use this method of family planning is minimal. That’s got to say something to us.

 

[MichelleTherese]

One nasty effect of contraception:

Women have lost a lot of ground in the “Equal Rights” department. We have been reduced to sexual objects and lost a lot of our humanity. Now if you don’t have sex the guys won’t even bother with you. “Have sex or I’m going to dump you.” We have to look just right, be perfectly skinny, dress in such-and-such a way or risk being labled a “prude.” Who cares about or personality or our talents and gifts! Do we “go all the way” or not? That’s the measure now. Who cares about morals or brains or character. It’s all about looks and action.

When I was a really little kid I remember the women that my mom hung out with. They were really independant! They were outspoken and active and fun. My peers became less and less outspoken and independant. Now I see all around me here on the college campus women and girls walking around simpering and preening and hanging off of the men like helpless children. The shoes they walk in make me wince just by looking at them! How do they breathe in those skin tight pants?? They are so skinny they can’t even change a tire and stand on the highway waiting to be rescued. They spend more time in class adjusting their clothes and smoothing their hair then they do answering questions or offering opinions. Meanwhile the guys dominate the conversations and the professor’s attention. The rare females that dominate the conversation are scorned and labled things I can’t print. My stomach churns as I watch endless women daintily traipsing about campus in their skimpy clothes, wobbly shoes and desparate “Adore me!” looks on their faces.

How is this liberation? Where’s the freedom the feminists promised us as they brain-washed us in our Planned-Parenthood run “health” classes?

The women that aren’t sexually active or using contracpetion are strong and independant and capable. They walk with their heads held up. They speak up in class. They hardly glance in the mirror as they head out the door of the restroom. Their self esteem is not based on what the men think, how the men react to them, or what their body fat % is. They acctually go out and DO stuff and have fun!

It’s an amazing contrast.

 

[kirabira]

Have we mentioned the environmental impacts?

1. effects of chemicals from contraceptives on wildlife and environment. The chemicals from contraceptives --specifically ‘the pill’-- have been found to be effecting the ecosystem. The chemicals are passed through the body and end up in our water. These chemicals arent able to be ‘treated’ at water treatment facilities and end up in our natural waterways. Once there said chemicals are injested by fish and really anything else. Now fish populations are having all kinds of reproductive problems-- which can be traced back to the high levels of the chemicals from contraceptives… pass that on to your local PETA and or hippie type person =)
2. Impact on population. Besides the fact that we are now culturally anti-children (think about the lessons taught in our schools that equate a 5lb bag of sugar and an egg with a baby and how terrible it is to have have to be bothered with them-- or empathy belly so you can pretend youre in that 'horrible state)–
   these attitudes are decreasing populations. The realistic problem isnt a population explosion, but drastic population reductions where the economies of regions are hanging in the balance because there are simply not enough people.

-k

 

[Shoshana]

Boy! This is a lot of reading. Contraception…such a debate. It was also mine when I married 30 years ago. I did not see how the Church could stick their noses in my bedroom and tell me what to do! We are supposed to make our husband happy (my husband is not Catholic) and yet we must abstain!?! It came to a point that he wouldn’t touch me because of me nursing my oldest and I had to opt for the IUD :crying: . I have since repented of this…

One day, after so much reflection on this burden over my head, the Lord cleared this whole problem for me. I did not read this on any of the posts here or anywhere else. What He cleared for me was this : BIRTH CONTROL= CONTROL THE BIRTH! The Church in Her ultimate wisdom knew prophetically that if you started to play with conception, you would also play with life. So, abortion is rampant and on demand. There is even partial-birth abortion! We torture the unborn with tearing them apart, burning them with saline water, etc etc. And some, even after that are still living!!! We have euthanisia. I need not continue as this is distressing to me. Why? Well, because I was so disobedient and I also realize that my generation of using birth control have contributed to the control the birth-life of this generation. :tsktsk:
I have to trust in the Mercy of God again and again…:bowdown:
Blessings,
Shoshana

 

[Shoshana]

Contraception…such a debate. It was also mine when I married 30 years ago. I did not see how the Church could stick their noses in my bedroom and tell me what to do! We are supposed to make our husband happy (my husband is not Catholic) and yet we must abstain!?! It came to a point that he wouldn’t touch me because of me nursing my oldest and I had to opt for the IUD :crying: . I have since repented of this…

One day, after so much reflection on this burden over my head, the Lord cleared this whole problem for me. I did not read this on any of the posts here or anywhere else. What He cleared for me was this : BIRTH CONTROL= CONTROL THE BIRTH! The Church in Her ultimate wisdom knew prophetically that if you started to play with conception, you would also play with life. So, abortion is rampant and on demand. There is even partial-birth abortion! We torture the unborn with tearing them apart, burning them with saline water, etc etc. And some, even after that are still living!!! We have euthanisia. I need not continue as this is distressing to me. Why? Well, because I was so disobedient and I also realize that my generation of using birth control have contributed to the control the birth-life of this generation. :tsktsk:

I have to trust in the Mercy of God again and again… :bowdown:

Blessings,

Shoshana