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According to a recent study, more teen girls are completing high school when they have affordable access to birth control. It’s widely accepted that women can achieve greater educational success when they control their reproductive choices. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once noted that a woman’s ability to reach her full potential is closely tied to her capacity to manage her reproductive life. While this idea is intuitive, there hasn’t been substantial data to back it up—until now.
A new study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, utilizing data from Colorado, reveals a notable increase in high school graduation rates among teen girls that coincides with the availability of no or low-cost birth control options. Colorado stands out for its extensive access to affordable contraceptives through the Colorado Family Planning Initiative (CFPI), which began in 2009. This initiative allows every FDA-approved contraceptive method to be available for free or at a low cost at federally-funded family planning clinics across the state. Unlike some other states, where not all forms of birth control are free, Colorado’s program ensures that all options are accessible to low-income patients.
The findings indicate that the CFPI has led to a 2% increase in high school graduation rates for young women and a 14% decrease in the proportion of young women in Colorado without a high school diploma. The impact is even more pronounced among Hispanic women, with a 21.8% reduction in those not graduating and a 2.1% increase in graduation rates.
Providing women with control over their bodies translates to more opportunities for education and personal growth. As the researchers stated, “our findings indicate that improving access to contraception increases young women’s human capital formation.” While access to birth control is crucial, it could be made even easier—school nurses could distribute contraceptive pills directly, reducing the need for complex navigation through various bureaucratic and financial barriers.
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Summary
Access to affordable birth control significantly boosts high school graduation rates among teen girls, as evidenced by a study from the U.S. Census Bureau focusing on Colorado. The Colorado Family Planning Initiative has made contraceptives widely available, resulting in higher educational attainment, particularly for Hispanic women. Empowering women with reproductive control opens doors to greater opportunities.