A Woman’s Control Over Her Sex Life
Written by Sam Leyva
Edited by Chloe Chou
February 9th, 2023
Edited by Chloe Chou
February 9th, 2023
Health and Wellness
It is no secret that many factors go into avoiding pregnancy in a relationship. The first thoughts that come to mind are things like condoms, birth control, and the infamous “pull out” method. Not the most outstanding track sheet, huh? However, the personal decision of a woman to actually employ one of these methods to avoid pregnancy, along with the influence of their partner’s opinions on the matter, are extreme factors in the avoidance of pregnancy. The decision itself to utilize birth control is often overlooked.
Researchers from the University of Michigan performed a study to discuss and draw conclusions from the relationship between women’s relationship status and contraception decisions. The study includes a sample size of 1003 women and looks at their levels of contraceptive use, pregnancy, and characteristics of the women’s intimate relationships. Questions for the women include the desire for contraception, the status of partnership and intimacy present, and the age of said partner if applicable.
The study concludes that women in less serious relationships had more self-control over contraception decisions, while closer intimacy leads to less control of sex and contraception use. On the other hand, new relationships that directly follow past abusive relationships retain a new level of control and planning, causing a higher usage of contraception. In this sense, the abusive relationship provides a higher cautionary rate in women, who then take much more precautions in their following relationship. However, women presently in abusive and conflictual relationships will have lower rates of control due to coercion from the partner and weaker willpower. There is also less control expected when older partners are present, or when a partner is non-monogamous. This said, it can be stated that women in longer, more stable relationships or violent relationships employ less concern for the use of contraception, while women right out of a violent relationship or simply entering a new one show higher usage of contraception.
The conclusions of the study explain that women’s expected control decreases as intimacy rises, and control increases the more casual a relationship is. This study is not the only one conducted regarding women’s sexual decisions and health, but the results are undoubtedly worth noting. Women’s sexual health education is a lacking topic in schools, as is known, so any research done on the topic is helpful for the overall knowledge of women’s sexual health. It is important for women everywhere to realize the decisions they make concerning the use of contraceptives are affected by factors regarding their past and present relationships with their partners because, while a partner’s opinions are valued, a woman should decide for herself on the use of contraception. There is still a long way to go regarding the public’s knowledge of women’s sexual health, but with every study just like this one, progress is made.