[The effect of oral contraception on society].
Oral contraception was introduced 40 years ago. In the Netherlands 'the pill' was more widely accepted than in most other countries. Oral contraception turned family planning into a medical responsibility, which made it respectable. It also separated sexuality from reproduction, which had rather far-reaching consequences for sexual behaviour and experience, as well as for sexual morality. The most important immediate impact of the pill was a sudden acceleration of the downward trend of the birth rate, and a substantial reduction in the number of unwanted pregnancies and so-called forced marriages. Its impact on world population growth has been less marked, mainly because of its costs, as on a global level sterilization and intrauterine devices are more important methods of contraception. The number of abortions in the Netherlands (5-6.5/1000 fertile women/year) has not decreased, but the current possibilities for family planning have led to a change in motivation from 'utterly unwanted pregnancy' to 'unintended pregnancy'.
Ketting
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E
Netherlands School of Public Health, Zeist. e.ketting@tip.nl
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001723:Birth Rate / Q000639:trends; D003267:Contraception / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D009426:Netherlands; D011157:Population Dynamics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012922:Social Change
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral