What best describes reproductive coercion in intimate partner violence (IPV)?

• A. Reproductive coercion is a form of financial abuse unrelated to pregnancy.
• B. Reproductive coercion involves attempts to control a partner's pregnancy or contraception.
• C. Reproductive coercion occurs only in dating relationships.
• D. Reproductive coercion is only about threatening physical harm.

Answer: (B)

Reproductive coercion is a form of coercive control within intimate partner violence where one person tries to determine the other’s reproductive decisions—pregnancy timing, pregnancy status, or contraception. It includes actions like pressuring a partner to become pregnant, sabotaging or hiding contraception, lying about pregnancy, or pressuring for abortion or to carry a pregnancy to term. This focus on manipulating reproductive choices distinguishes it from other forms of abuse that center on money or physical harm.

The best description here emphasizes the control over pregnancy and contraception. It isn’t about financial abuse, which can occur independently of pregnancy decisions, and it isn’t limited to dating relationships—reproductive coercion can occur in various kinds of intimate partnerships. It also isn’t solely about threats of physical harm; those threats may accompany coercion, but the core issue is controlling reproductive life decisions.