Reproductive coercion

Definition

Interference with contraception, pressure regarding pregnancy continuation or termination, monitoring of cycles, or other tactics that strip the target of individual reproductive decision-making. Reproductive coercion operates bidirectionally. Coerced pregnancy tactics include contraception sabotage and pressure to conceive. Birth-giving prevention tactics include pressure or force to terminate a wanted pregnancy.

How it operates

Sabotaging or hiding contraception. Refusing to use condoms. Pressure to become pregnant. Pressure or force to terminate a pregnancy. Monitoring menstrual cycles as a form of surveillance and control.

Function

Controls the target's body at the level of fertility itself, binding her future through unknowingly forced pregnancy or forced termination.

Harm

Operates both immediately and across the long term (loss of life trajectory, chronic gynecological sequelae, and the spiritual injury of having one's generative capacity commandeered).

Why this is coercive control

Mutual, informed decisions about family planning reached without pressure or deception. The conduct here controls the target's body at the level of fertility itself, binding her future through unknowingly forced pregnancy or forced termination.

Constructed example

“You don't need to refill those. We're having another one, that's final. " Or "Have an abortion or I am leaving you.”

Fictitious. Written to illustrate the behavior. Not a case.