I realized we haven't really had a debate about this, and I know it's semi-controversial, but it's an extremely important topic. I know a few of you out there at least listen to Loveline, and it's something they bring up on that show on a nightly basis.
First of all, let's talk contraceptives. There are two main forms of contraception we all know about, and that would be condoms and birth control (pills, shots, implants, and now the patch). Condoms have been used for a long time, and are pretty effective if they don't fail. I mean, basically, if it doesn't break or come off, the semen has no where to go. However, the problem is that many people use it wrong. For example, when you're "done," you're supposed to hold it on. If you don't, occasionally it can get "lost." And of course if it breaks, you're screwed... unless of course...
Ah yes, birth control. The pill. Although there are so many forms of it now. Here's the thing... I see condoms as more of a protection against STD's, not so much prevention of pregnancy. For that, I believe all sexually active women should be on birth control. There are some women who will kick and scream and bite at me because of that statement, mostly because they believe it shouldn't be up to them to be responsible for contraception. Unfortunately, there are two problems with that. One, there is no male birth control (yet), so what are we supposed to do? I've already mentioned that condoms aren't always effective. Two, it's the woman who gets pregnant, and goes through the most trauma. And then there is that many birth control pills have positive effects such as clearing up acne, regulating the menstrual period, etc. So really, why not? Birth control pills are damn near 100% effective, and really it only fails if they are taken improperly, like a pill is skipped or taken too late or too early. That, however, is why they also have the depo shot, which is taken every few months, just a doctor visit and a shot keeps those eggs locked up. And of course, the patch, which is the new orthoevra, you just wear one patch every week. Easy to remember.
Last, but not least, is another form of birth control that REALLY needs to be impressed upon people. The morning after pill. If the condom breaks, or if you make a mistake without being regular on birth control, you take a series of pills within 72 hours that can prevent pregnancy. The effectiveness goes down as each day and hour passes, but is over 90% effective within the first 24 hours. This is NOT the abortion pill, which many right-wing right-to-lifers confuse it with. It does the same exact thing as regular birth control, it just prevents ovulation. I think this should be over-the-counter, easy to access, and in fact girls should keep it in their drawer just in case.
Speaking of the right-to-lifers, I must say I lean republican, but there are certain aspects of conservatives I can't stand. One is the NRA, bunch of nutcases. The other is right-to-life, some of whom think all forms of contraception should not exist, they say abortion is murder, and they try to shut down Planned Parenthood. They are unrealistic, by saying there should be abstinence instead of birth control. Well... first, we live in a world where that's not going to happen. So instead of saying everyone SHOULD be abstinent, we should acknowledge that the majority won't be, and there needs to be every tool available to them to prevent unwanted pregnancy, especially teenagers. And Planned Parenthood is one of the great organizations in America, who are under-funded and help out anyone they can. In fact, in California, it's one of the only places you can find the morning after pill, because hospitals usually only give it out as part of a rape kit, pharmacies don't carry it, so you have to go to Planned Parenthood.
As for post-conception options, there are a few. One, abortion. Two, adoption. And three, keep the child. I feel that abortion is a last resort, and I'd prefer it not be done, but definitely it should remain an option. I think adoption is the best possible avenue for a pregnant young woman who has little support, is going to school, and basically having a child would not only ruin her life, but would be tough on the child. I've heard people say "Well, she got pregnant, she should learn to deal with it." That seems so wrong to me, to say because a mistake was made that she should be "punished" by keeping the child. Both are going to have a hard time. I say adoption is the best chance for the kid. Keeping the child should be the main option for anyone who has the finances and support, are not in school, that kind of thing. And if they feel completely up to it, there is a father figure, then best of luck. The best way to go about it is imagine what is best for the kid. Abortion I see as viable for health reasons, someone who could be in danger by going through with pregnancy and giving birth, or say like a rape victim. There's nothing she could do about it, and who really wants to spread around the genes of a rapist? The biggest problem with abortion is that there are emotional side-effects on the woman. And I don't necessarily see killing an embryo as being murder, I just can't see it. Then again, I'd rather it not happen anyway, I do see life as valuable.
Anyway, let's discuss this. Everything I just said is from my opinion and what I've heard. This is a spur of the moment post, I didn't really feel like researching. If I did research it, you'd see a bunch of names of birth control stuff and more statistics. Feel free to share any statistics and such.
First of all, let's talk contraceptives. There are two main forms of contraception we all know about, and that would be condoms and birth control (pills, shots, implants, and now the patch). Condoms have been used for a long time, and are pretty effective if they don't fail. I mean, basically, if it doesn't break or come off, the semen has no where to go. However, the problem is that many people use it wrong. For example, when you're "done," you're supposed to hold it on. If you don't, occasionally it can get "lost." And of course if it breaks, you're screwed... unless of course...
Ah yes, birth control. The pill. Although there are so many forms of it now. Here's the thing... I see condoms as more of a protection against STD's, not so much prevention of pregnancy. For that, I believe all sexually active women should be on birth control. There are some women who will kick and scream and bite at me because of that statement, mostly because they believe it shouldn't be up to them to be responsible for contraception. Unfortunately, there are two problems with that. One, there is no male birth control (yet), so what are we supposed to do? I've already mentioned that condoms aren't always effective. Two, it's the woman who gets pregnant, and goes through the most trauma. And then there is that many birth control pills have positive effects such as clearing up acne, regulating the menstrual period, etc. So really, why not? Birth control pills are damn near 100% effective, and really it only fails if they are taken improperly, like a pill is skipped or taken too late or too early. That, however, is why they also have the depo shot, which is taken every few months, just a doctor visit and a shot keeps those eggs locked up. And of course, the patch, which is the new orthoevra, you just wear one patch every week. Easy to remember.
Last, but not least, is another form of birth control that REALLY needs to be impressed upon people. The morning after pill. If the condom breaks, or if you make a mistake without being regular on birth control, you take a series of pills within 72 hours that can prevent pregnancy. The effectiveness goes down as each day and hour passes, but is over 90% effective within the first 24 hours. This is NOT the abortion pill, which many right-wing right-to-lifers confuse it with. It does the same exact thing as regular birth control, it just prevents ovulation. I think this should be over-the-counter, easy to access, and in fact girls should keep it in their drawer just in case.
Speaking of the right-to-lifers, I must say I lean republican, but there are certain aspects of conservatives I can't stand. One is the NRA, bunch of nutcases. The other is right-to-life, some of whom think all forms of contraception should not exist, they say abortion is murder, and they try to shut down Planned Parenthood. They are unrealistic, by saying there should be abstinence instead of birth control. Well... first, we live in a world where that's not going to happen. So instead of saying everyone SHOULD be abstinent, we should acknowledge that the majority won't be, and there needs to be every tool available to them to prevent unwanted pregnancy, especially teenagers. And Planned Parenthood is one of the great organizations in America, who are under-funded and help out anyone they can. In fact, in California, it's one of the only places you can find the morning after pill, because hospitals usually only give it out as part of a rape kit, pharmacies don't carry it, so you have to go to Planned Parenthood.
As for post-conception options, there are a few. One, abortion. Two, adoption. And three, keep the child. I feel that abortion is a last resort, and I'd prefer it not be done, but definitely it should remain an option. I think adoption is the best possible avenue for a pregnant young woman who has little support, is going to school, and basically having a child would not only ruin her life, but would be tough on the child. I've heard people say "Well, she got pregnant, she should learn to deal with it." That seems so wrong to me, to say because a mistake was made that she should be "punished" by keeping the child. Both are going to have a hard time. I say adoption is the best chance for the kid. Keeping the child should be the main option for anyone who has the finances and support, are not in school, that kind of thing. And if they feel completely up to it, there is a father figure, then best of luck. The best way to go about it is imagine what is best for the kid. Abortion I see as viable for health reasons, someone who could be in danger by going through with pregnancy and giving birth, or say like a rape victim. There's nothing she could do about it, and who really wants to spread around the genes of a rapist? The biggest problem with abortion is that there are emotional side-effects on the woman. And I don't necessarily see killing an embryo as being murder, I just can't see it. Then again, I'd rather it not happen anyway, I do see life as valuable.
Anyway, let's discuss this. Everything I just said is from my opinion and what I've heard. This is a spur of the moment post, I didn't really feel like researching. If I did research it, you'd see a bunch of names of birth control stuff and more statistics. Feel free to share any statistics and such.