Avoiding Coercion in the Promotion of Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)

The ability to decide if and when to have children is a sacred choice and a human right. Government restriction of that choice violates our rights. This piece from The Guttmacher Institute critiques the public policies regarding long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) that target people of color, disabled people, and people with lower incomes. This type of reproductive coercion, unfortunately, is not new in the United States. Drawing extensively on principles of reproductive justice, the article offers frameworks for policymakers and clinicians to expand access to LARCs while ensuring that coercive or biased tactics are not used when offering contraceptive methods.

As more policymakers work to promote LARC access, they must heed the calls of reproductive justice advocates to avoid creating programs that contribute to racist, ableist and coercive contraceptive policies and discourse—or that broadly target marginalized groups rather than prioritize individual needs.

SOURCE: Guttmacher Institute • AUTHOR: Olivia Cappello • LAST UPDATED: May 10, 2021