Syracuse Planned Parenthood Sees "Unusual" Increase in Contraceptive Visits (10/7/2009)

Christine Pitawanich / NCC News

10/7/2009

Syracuse, N.Y. - The recession has made some people re-think family planning. In a recent study, Planned Parenthood found that visits for contraception shot up 11-12% in 2008. The spokeswoman for the Rochester/Syracuse Planned Parenthood, Betty DeFazio, said such an increase is unusual for them.

“There was an increase in the number of family planning visits and that increase was substantially higher than we’ve seen in previous years,” said DeFazio.

The Recession’s Role

She said the new findings could be related to the bad economy. It’s the recession, she said, that is making some people think more about the financial consequences of unplanned pregnancies.

“While their families are going through difficult economic times, they are very concerned about not having an unintended pregnancy while financially strapped,” DeFazio said.

She added that the results of the Planned Parenthood study documented a big jump in emergency contraception sales as well.

DeFazio said she expects to see the upward trend of contraception visits continue in 2009. She added that about 95% of Planned Parenthood’s services are preventative.

Children = Money

Having a child is a big commitment, and experts say that raising one can cost anywhere from $250,000-$500,000. But with the economy the way it is, some people just can’t afford it.

Amanda lives on the Southside of Syracuse and receives Public Assistance. She said she can barely afford to take care of both her and her six week old infant. Amanda plans to use contraception to avoid another unintended pregnancy.

Leonard Lopoo, a professor of family and economics at Syracuse University, said he wasn’t surprised the economy is having an effect on family planning.

“What we do know seems to suggest that people do respond to the economy,” Lopoo said. “They pay a lot of attention to – will I be able to support my child, will I be able to do the things I want for my child,” continued Lopoo.

A Look Ahead

Even though tough economic times have caused many people to use contraception to prevent unplanned pregnancies, Lopoo thinks this trend won’t hold up for long. He said the recession isn’t going to last forever, and when it ends, some people will have nothing to hold them back from fulfilling their dream of a bigger family.