Saturday, May 01, 1999
Abortion foes take credit for decline
Study cites contraception
BY MARK CURNUTTE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The National Right to Life Committee, the nation's largest anti-abortion group, says the nationwide decrease in the teen abortion rate is the result of its educational and legislative accomplishments.
The committee responded to the release Thursday of an Alan Guttmacher Institute report on teen pregnancy that credited increased use of contraception as the primary cause for declines in teen pregnancy, birth and abortion rates.
“This amazing drop in the abortion rate is largely due to the pro-life movement's efforts,” said Wanda Franz, president of Right to Life. “The more Americans learn about the developing child and the dangers of abortion to women, the more they reject abortion.”
The abortion rate for women ages 15-19 in the United States has dropped 34 percent between 1985 and 1996, and 17 percent since 1992, according the Guttmacher Institute.
The rates have also fallen in the Tristate, led by a 45 percent decrease in Ohio between 1985 and 1996.
Guttmacher researchers said the wider and more effective use of birth control was at least 80 percent responsible for the decrease. They also said teen-aged abstinence was increasing.
Officials with Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky support the Guttmacher report's findings.
The Guttmacher Institute is a family planning research and advocacy organization that receives some money from Planned Parenthood. In spite of that affiliation, Guttmacher research is widely respected by both sides in the contentious abortion issue.
Right to Life officials said the teen abortion rate drop coincides with the passage of “protective” abortion legislation:
• Fifteen states — including Ohio and Kentucky — have “right to know” statutes that require women be given accurate printed information on abortion and abortion alternatives. Ohio's provision took effect in 1994; Kentucky's in July 1998.
• 21 states have laws that allow parental involvement in their minor daughter's abortion decision. Kentucky and Indiana require one-parent consent, according to National Right to Life. Ohio legislators passed a similar law, but it is not in effect because of court action.
The District of Columbia has the nation's highest teen abortion rate, 125 per 1,000 women 15-19. Utah has the lowest at 8 per 1,000 women 15-19.
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