Psychology of the misuse and rejection of contraception

Some of the psychological influences on contraceptive misuse and rejection are presented, ranging from denial (of the possibility of pregnancy), guilt, sexual identity conflicts, to fear, opportunism (desperation) and iatrogenesis (influence of medical personnel. It is suggested that more attention be focused on these psychological factors as a means to successful population control rather than on the development of the "ideal" contraceptive. In discussion 4 doctors varied in their reactions to the authors' premise that social systems which require or allow volitional and individually initiated contraceptive use - as the sole method for population control - will fail to accomplish that goal.