Fri Sep 20 09:05:50 UTC 2024: ## Women’s Rights are Economic Rights: How Abortion Restrictions Harm the US Economy

**BERKELEY** – A new analysis argues that restricting abortion access in the US has significant economic consequences, not just for women, but for their families and the overall economy.

Professor Laura Tyson, a former chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, highlights how reproductive freedom is a cornerstone of economic prosperity. She points out that in the US, the nationwide legalization of abortion under Roe v. Wade was essential to women’s economic advancement for half a century. It allowed women to plan their families, complete their education, and enter the workforce in greater numbers.

Tyson argues that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is a giant step backward, leading to adverse health and economic consequences for women, their children, and the US economy.

The article details how restricting abortion access can lead to:

* **Increased poverty:** Women with limited access to abortion are more likely to live in poverty, and their children are more likely to grow up in poverty.
* **Lower educational attainment:** Women in states with stricter abortion restrictions are less likely to complete their education, resulting in lower lifetime earnings.
* **Higher maternal mortality rates:** Women in these states face higher maternal mortality rates, which can have lasting economic impacts on families.

Furthermore, the article emphasizes the importance of policies like paid family leave and affordable childcare. These policies are crucial for women to participate fully in the workforce and contribute to economic growth. While many other developed countries have robust policies in these areas, the US lags behind, particularly under Republican leadership.

The article concludes by highlighting the potential economic benefits of a pro-family agenda, such as that advocated by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. She has pledged to prioritize affordable childcare and paid family leave, recognizing that these issues are central to economic justice for women and families.

The article asserts that women and their concerns are likely to play a decisive role in the upcoming US election. It argues that a pro-family, pro-women agenda is not just morally right, but also economically necessary for the prosperity of the nation.

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