More Teen Girls Finish High School When Birth Control is Accessible

According to a recent study, improved access to affordable birth control leads to higher high school graduation rates among teenage girls. It might seem obvious that when women can manage their reproductive health, it positively impacts their educational achievements. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously noted that a woman’s potential is closely linked to her ability to control her reproductive choices. However, solid data on this connection has been sparse until now.

The Colorado Family Planning Initiative

A study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau highlights findings from Colorado, where expanded access to no or low-cost birth control options coincided with increased high school graduation rates for teenage girls. The Colorado Family Planning Initiative (CFPI), launched in 2009, made all FDA-approved contraceptive methods available for free or at a minimal cost at federally-funded family planning clinics throughout the state. This initiative was notable because, unlike other states where some forms of birth control might still carry a cost, Colorado ensured that all options were available to low-income patients without financial barriers.

Impact on Graduation Rates

The research indicates a direct correlation between the availability of low-cost contraception and educational outcomes. Since the inception of CFPI, high school graduation rates for young women have risen by 2%, while the percentage of young women in Colorado without a high school diploma has decreased by 14%. This trend is particularly pronounced among Hispanic women, who saw a 21.8% reduction in non-graduates and a 2.1% increase in graduation rates.

Essentially, when women have control over their bodies, they gain more opportunities. The study’s authors stated, “our findings indicate that improving access to contraception increases young women’s human capital formation.” It should be easier for young women to access birth control, perhaps through school nurses distributing contraceptives directly. They should not have to deal with a complicated maze of forms, bureaucracy, and financial challenges to secure the contraception necessary for shaping their futures.

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Conclusion

In summary, the availability of affordable birth control significantly enhances high school graduation rates for teenage girls, demonstrating the importance of reproductive health in educational achievement.