Reproductive and Sexual Coercion: The Role of Alcohol, Social and Demographic Conditions

Reproductive coercion is defined as partner behaviors that interfere with effective use of contraception. The contraception sabotage includes hiding, withholding and destroying of contraceptives in an attempt to induce pregnancy despite a female partner’s wishes to prevent the pregnancy. In the literature, contraception sabotage is usually discussed as an intentional act. It has been suggested to extend the definition by adding the reproductive coercion by negligence, in particular, the sabotage of agreed or presupposed method of contraception, which sometimes happens under the impact of alcohol. Five case histories are presented here. The social background and cause-effect relationships between certain behavioral stereotypes, alcohol consumption and heavy binge drinking are analyzed. The use of condoms is dependent on personal characteristics and the level of social development; however, alcohol consumption at sexual encounters and heavy binge drinking are potential risk factors for the non-use of condoms and other irresponsible behaviors. The sexual and reproductive coercion is sometimes used for the purpose of migration, to cement a relationship or to spread a certain genotype. Vasectomy may be a viable solution for some individuals incapable to control their behavior and consistently use condoms, although it does not eliminate the necessity of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections. to a systematic review and meta-analysis, consistent condom use was less prevalent among hazardous vs. regular drinkers in Russia [6]. Fortunately, both the abortion rate and alcohol consumption in Russia tend to decrease [7,8]. It seems that at different times there have been official or unofficial directives aimed at the birth rate elevation initially in conditions of the gender imbalance after the World War II. This resulted in a limited availability of contraceptives, unavailability of voluntary sterilization, and prohibition of abortions till 1955 along with the propagation of consumerist attitude to women: corresponding talks and behaviors have been quite usual. The official atheism obviously contributed to irresponsible and immoral behaviors [9]. In the meantime, the gender imbalance has reverted and global overpopulation has come to the fore; but fertility is stimulated now as before. For example, some popular TV series such as the “Sled” (Trace) and “Slepaia” (The Blind) regularly present unexpected and unintended pregnancies both in and out of wedlock as something natural and unavoidable while contraception is mentioned rarely. Remarkably, in the Episode 306 of the latter series (shown by TV3 on 10 November 2020) a gynecologist at a husband’s request surreptitiously replaced contraceptive pills by vitamins. This was presented by the filmmakers as a good deed as the husband wanted children but the wife did not. The risks associated with oral contraceptives are invented or exaggerated by mass media and some literature. Apparently, the propaganda follows policies aimed at the birth rate elevation. Among the background factors are the machismo ideation, disrespect for some laws and regulations, abundant violence and death on TV indirectly trivializing the child and elder abuse, sexual and reproductive coercion. In the author’s opinion, authorities should handle the neglectful and intentional contraception sabotage as offenses with infliction of bodily harm if an abortion or unintended pregnancy followed. Of note, a majority of studies on these topics have been performed in more developed countries, while dimensions of the problem in less open societies are difficult to assess. In particular, the rape myth, an ideology excusing sexual assault and/or blaming victims for their own sexual victimization, is widespread in some sociocultural settings [10,11]. The relatively high level of alcohol consumption is believed to be a factor contributing to the irresponsible sexual behavior and IPV. Five Introduction Reproductive coercion (RC) interferes with a woman’s decisionmaking regarding reproductive health; it may consist of contraception sabotage and/or pressure to either carry a pregnancy to term or to have an abortion [1]. The RC definitions include male partners’ attempts to promote pregnancy through verbal pressure and threats [2]. The contraception sabotage includes hiding, withholding or destroying contraceptives, deliberate tearing or removing of condoms or failing to withdraw in an attempt to induce pregnancy despite a female partner’s wishes to prevent the pregnancy [3]. Reproductive coercion is not always defined as such by the victim; in particular, intimate partner violence (IPV) may prevent a woman from naming certain behaviors as coercion [1]. In the literature, RC is usually discussed as intentional act. It has been suggested to extend the definition by adding the “RC by negligence”, in particular, the sabotage of agreed or presupposed method of contraception, which sometimes happens under the impact of alcohol [4]. Admittedly, it may be difficult to distinguish between the negligence, subconscious and conscious intentions. The abortion rate in the former Soviet Union (SU) has been the world highest [5], caused not only by the insufficient availability of modern contraception but also by an irresponsible behavior sometimes in conditions of excessive alcohol consumption. According J Addiction Prevention May 2021 Vol.:9, Issue:1 © All rights are reserved by Jargin SV. Avens Publishing Group Inviting Innovations Citation: Jargin SV. Reproductive and Sexual Coercion: The Role of Alcohol, Social and Demographic Conditions. J Addiction Prevention. 2021;9(1): 5. J Addiction Prevention 9(1): 5 (2021) Page 2 ISSN: 2330-2178 case histories are presented here followed by an overview of literature. Certain cases were reported to the authorities after a delay as the denunciation of illegal and immoral acts was unusual in the former SU especially of those committed by individuals from the privileged milieu (exemplified by Case 1).