title: The secularization of U.S. Catholic birth control practices.
abstract: Except for sterilization, Catholic and non-Catholic contraceptive practices are now quite similar. Within several years, even sterilization will probably be adopted by the same proportions of Catholics as non-Catholics, and the rhythm method is destined to be of historical interest only. The wide gulf between official Catholic doctrine and the birth control behavior of Catholics can only deepen in the next few years.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002410:Catholicism; D003267:Contraception; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003273:Contraceptive Devices; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008393:Marriage; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods; D013245:Sterilization, Reproductive; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral