Natural Family Planning / Contraceptives and Women’s Well-Being
Many Catholics have rejected the Church's teaching on birth control. But how many have really looked into WHY artificial contraception is harmful to marriage? "...the mutual gift of fertility is an integral part of the bonding power of marital intercourse. ... Suppressing fertility by using contraception denies part of the inherent meaning of married sexuality and does harm to the couple’s unity." from "Married Love and the Gift of Life". A short summary (2 pages) of the church's teaching is available to read or download here, or in Spanish here. (Available from the Respect Life Brochure of the month page.)
Natural Family Planning is NOT the old “rhythm method”, but an all natural, 99% effective method of regulation of birth. The wife learns to monitor her cycle each month to determine her particular time of ovulation and fertility. Her husband helps with cycle interpretation and regular support. Trust, love, and commitment are essential for a marriage relationship, and the only tools needed for practicing NFP. Many couples find that learning NFP together and living the NFP lifestyle strengthens their marriage. It fosters better communication, self-control, and by keeping a cycle of courtship and honeymoon, helps couples from keeping their sexual relationship for granted.
Companion piece: “Contraceptives and Women’s Well-Being” discusses how the introduction of hormonal contraceptives, rather than being a benefit to women, has led to casual sex becoming normative, an epidemic of sexually transmitted infections, and far more unintended pregnancies and abortions. The proportion of married adults had fallen from 72% in 1960 to only 52% in 2009. Cohabiting and single parent families are more likely to be low income, and children in those household have much higher rates of problems with school, behavior and drug use.
To read the article "What is NFP?" Click here: English
To access the Contraception and Women's Well-Being article in 8.5 X 11 format,
click on these links: English Spanish
The brochure is available at the Hospitality Desk in the Church and in the Ave Maria Family Life Center.