Can contraceptive use lead to lower crime rates in the Philppines?
Date
2009-03
Authors
Carrasco, Margeline T.
Casubha, Roma Adnexa R.
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Abstract
This study explores the possible link between the increase in use of contraceptives in the 1970s and decrease in crime rate in 1990s in the Philippines. It analyzes the different transmission channels by which an 'unwanted' child resulting from the lack of contraceptive use may have a higher tendency to engage in criminal activity in the future during what is known to be the high- crime peak age range. The links between unwanted pregnancy and future criminality can be found in the unfavorable conditions and circumstances in which an unwanted child is born into, decreased human capital investment, and poverty associated with a large family size. The ability to control pregnancy through contraceptive use helps mothers and family units in delaying child birth until circumstances are more favorable and it also gives them the ability to control their family size.
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Keywords
Contraceptive, MEDICINE::Surgery::Obstetrics and women's diseases::Reproductive health, Lower crime rates, Crime rates, Human capital