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TABLE 2. NCM by Race/Ethnicity

Survey question: Listed below are a number of reasons women give for not wanting to become pregnant. Which of these reasons do you feel are important when considering to avoid a pregnancy?

Responding important (%)

Reason

White

Black

Hispanic


The discomforts of pregnancy** 34.6 53.7 48
Experiencing pain of childbirth** 30.8 57.8 57.3
Worrying about the health and safety of the child 78.4 85.8 78.4
To avoid embarrassing my family* 11.5 21.7 27.8
Being kept from a job or career by a baby 52 64.1 60.8
Having to put up with the mess and noise that a baby makes** 19.2 33.3 40
Finding adequate child care 73.1 80.8 77.3
Not having adequate finances to raise the child** 84.3 87.7 74.3
Losing freedom to do other things 30 41.8 47.3
Getting too old** 52 62.2 44.4
Taking care of a sick baby* 54 68.4 60.8
Having a baby who strains my health** 56 70.9 51.4
Having a baby who strains my relationship with my partner 36.1 30.2 34.1
No additional cash benefits for the child under the new welfare rules* 32.6 34.6 40.3
Being responsible for another life** 66 82.5 77
Don't feel ready** 73.1 80.4 67.6
Having a baby who makes it necessary to find a job to support the child 74 77.8 73
Having a baby will ruin my figure** 7.7 15.9 28
Number of respondents

52

278

75

Note. NCM = negative childbearing motivations.

* Indicates statistically significant chi-square at .05 < p < .1.

** Indicates statistically significant chi-square at p < .05.





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