The Georgia Bulletin

Sat, Jul 19, 2008


What I Have Seen and Heard - Archbishop Gregory's Weekly Column

Survey reveals confusion on resources for pregnant college students

Published: 2008-05-01

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CNS) -- According to a survey commissioned by Feminists for Life of America, U.S. college campuses frequently lack the resources for pregnant or parenting students or, if they have them, students are not always aware of their availability. The survey, "Perception Is Reality," stemmed from the pregnancy resource forums conducted by Feminists for Life, based in Alexandria, over the past 11 years. Serrin Foster, president of Feminists for Life, moderated the first of these forums at Georgetown University in Washington in 1997 in order to evaluate resources on and off the campus. "This survey confirms everything I have been told during the last decade," said Foster. "Even when students who are not feeling the pressure of an unplanned pregnancy try to look for resources, either they can't find them or the resources are inadequate or expensive." "Perception is reality," she added, noting that a "perceived lack of resources" can drive pregnant women to have an abortion or drop out of college. The survey was released April 23.