According to Love To Know, “Statistics on Teen Pregnancy” by Vilma Ruddock M.D., around twenty-five percent of women have been pregnant at least once by the time they reach their twentieth birthday; in fact, thirty percent of all teenage pregnancies end in abortion. Birth control is a method that could help lessen the risk of teen pregnancy, thus, possibly lessening the abortion and adoption rate. Teenage girls are hesitant when asking parents to be put on birth control because most parents assume it is an excuse to be sexually active. These teen girls are unable to be prescribed birth control without parental consent before the age of eighteen. Therefore, birth control pills or other methods such as the depo shot or IUD, should be available to teenage girls without parental consent because they help regulate periods and relieve cramps, prevent unplanned pregnancy, and help with controlling hormones. Many young females use birth control to regulate periods and relieve cramping. A period is the shedding of endometrial tissue from the womb that is released through the vagina. Pain relievers such as midol, pamprin, or ibuprofen can be used to alleviate cramping; however, some women have very heavy and painful periods. Birth control helps with relieving pain by preventing ovulation, or depending which method used, stops a menstrual cycle altogether. Halting the menstrual cycle also relieves the financial burden of having to purchase feminine products monthly. Stopping ovulation helps with preventing unplanned pregnancy among curious teens. Although not all young females are sexually active, some are and they use birth control as a way to prevent pregnancy. Sex education and allowing teens to take birth control, without assuming they are sexually active, is important for all young females. Teens experimenting with sex is common nowadays, and it is beneficial for females to protect themselves. A lot of teens become pregnant from not being on birth control and are afraid to talk to their parents about being put on the pill. Most teenagers participate in sexual activity while in high school, so making birth control available to them could lessen the pregnancy rate that leads to an increased dropout rate among
In truth, contraceptive access will not increase the rates of teen sex, according to a 2017 paper co-authored by five John Hopkins doctors and pediatricians (Gebelhoff 7). The pamphlet used to help teens decide if they are ready should be viewed as a good thing because it gives students reasons not to proceed (Culp-Ressler 4). Additionally, John Hopkins says, teenagers on the pill or other hormonal birth control options are more likely to be protected from pregnancy than those who use condoms because the pill has a lower rate of failure and is not influenced by pressures in the moment (Gebelhoff 8). Hormonal birth control is more effective at preventing pregnancy, but it would be impossible for most teen girls with reluctant parents to obtain if states require parental permission due to the scarcity of clinics and lack of over the counter
Birth control has prevented many unwanted teen pregnancies, “According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen births in the United States reached a historic low in 2015, which can be explained in large part by an increased use of contraception among young people” (Gebelhoff, Robert). As of right now, women have to get a prescription to get oral contraceptives from their doctor. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this movement to make access to these contraceptives is supported by them. Although, teenagers are more likely to use birth control pills compared to using condoms, they are not being influenced by their sexual or emotional pressures. This article also says, the public-health benefits from
Teenage sexuality and birth control have long been controversial topics that many find themselves unwilling to discuss. However, ignoring these issues will not make them disappear. The fact of the matter remains that teens are having sex and need confidential access to prescription birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. With the looming possibility of tremendous socio-economic effect upon society from an increase in teen pregnancies, allowing teens to access birth control without parental consent is
There are several benefits to making birth control easy to obtain for teens. The drop out rate of pregnant teens will decrease. The number of teens living on welfare and in poverty will decrease which in return will lower the amount of money allocated by the federal government to assist teens with federal aid. Another benefit of reducing the number of teen pregnancies is the amount of money schools will save on providing daycare to those students for free. Many schools have on campus daycare that provides meals and school for the children of teenage mothers. The money saved from this could provide more teachers or even help the current teachers keep their job. The best benefit of all is they can enjoy their teen years, focus on their education and hopefully go to college someday.
One solution to preventing teen pregnancy would be to provide better access to birth control for teenagers. In Jacqueline Sedgwick’s article, “American Adolescents and Emergency Contraceptive Pill Access,” she argues that the American teenage pregnancy and abortion rates are higher than any other nation due to the irregular or improper usage of birth control. Many American teenagers are unaware of how to properly use the contraceptives and mistakenly find themselves in difficult situations, but with more knowledge about birth control, teens will be able to properly protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. According to the article, the federal court order the US Food and Drug Administration to make emergency contraceptive pills available to teens over the age of seventeen without a prescription (Sedgwick). Allowing easy access to birth control will enable teens to be prepared and inhibit them from unintended pregnancies that are likely
One of the most controversial topics in the United States is whether or not teenagers should be allowed to take birth control while they are still in high school. “… teen pregnancy is a serious problem in the United States.” (“Teen Pregnancy”). Girls should be allowed to take birth control because girls and guys are obviously going to mess around in high school; therefore, birth control provides a safe way for teenagers to have sexual intercourse. If they are going to do it, they should undoubtedly be protected. There are many easy ways for a teen to obtain birth control. For instance, birth control is free at the health department. If they
Over the years, access to birth control has remained quite regulated. These harsh regulations make the process for teens, who are using the pill for their own health, uncomfortable and socially awkward. Many teens use the pill to regulate natural female occurrences and are looked down upon due to the social stigma behind the pill. Although some say that allowing teens more access to birth control can teach them that certain behaviors are okay, easier access to the pill would allow young women to take more control of their lives and have the ability to function the entire month without complications.
This day in age, teenage pregnancy is becoming a regular thing for the post-millennials. “In 2014, a total of 249,078 babies were born to women aged 15–19 years (CDC)”, although this was a low from 2013, it is a large increase from when my parents were a teenager about 10 years ago. This increase in access that we should provide teenage girls would contribute to many vital things such as a decrease teenage pregnancy statistics, and letting them be able to make important/smart decisions regarding their lifestyle. These decisions of whether or not to use birth control if given access to it is a vital decision as it can affect their future. Being able to open up the world of birth control to teenage girls can save them from having children at a young age, if selecting to participate in sexual activities and continue on with that while using a birth control method. There are multiple birth control methods that can help with trying to prevent pregnancy and getting pregnant. These methods include but are not limited to: condoms (most of the time effective but not 100%), which anybody can buy no matter what, prescription birth control pills (the possible safest way if sexually active), staying abstinent, and other varieties of birth controls. An example would be if my friend uses condoms and his girlfriend is on birth control there is a greater chance of not conceiving or
According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), teen pregnancy rates have decreased by 11 percent to those aged 15-19 years in the years 2013 to 2014. If a continuum of these rates is to be achieved, birth control should be available to teen girls without a prescription because they can prevent unintended pregnancies. Also, the staggering abortion rates could be lowered due to the use of oral contraceptives being available at any time. If condoms can be bought in stores to help guys protect themselves, birth control should be over the counter. Birth control pills should be available to teenage girls because teenage boys have availability to condoms, it would lower teen pregnancy rates, and lastly it gives young girls control over their own body.
On one side, minors can receive benefits associated with birth control such as a regulated menstrual cycle and prevention of pregnancy. On the other side, the reduced risk of pregnancy can lead to irresponsible sexual behavior, which in response can lead to the spread of STIs. One could argue that increased education is needed for both teenage boys and girls regarding sexual health and the risks and benefits of birth control. Another argument could be for the increased trust and non-judgemental communication between teens, parents, and health care providers when it comes to sexual health.
Have you ever needed something really bad and not been able to get it? This is how many women feel about birth control, because it can be very hard to get. Statistics show that 80% of women use birth control for more than just having protected sex. These women can vary from ages starting as low as 12 all the way up until a woman is 50 to 60. A woman can start taking birth control when they start their period. Birth control releases hormones that stop ovulation which prevents an egg from being released. Birth control pills are mostly viewed as just for sex and a way to get away with having sex. Usually the people who believe this are usually parents and especially men. Many of those people don’t know, there are many other uses for birth control. Birth control pills can be used for health related problems such as a lightened period and hormone control. Prices of birth control can be very expensive and many people do not know that birth control comes in many different forms. Depending on the different type of birth control a person would get depends on the price. The pill is the cheapest form of birth control, but the pill is most effective. Many times insurance will not completely cover the costs of birth control. For this reason, birth control pills should be sold to not only teenage girls, but grown women.
Teen girls between the ages of 15 and 18 should be able to receive birth control and contraceptive without the consent of their parents because most believe that’s a good mature age. Birth control is a crucial factor in preventing pregnancies. Birth control motivates young females to be responsible and have knowledge about their sexual health and also have control on their general health. After interviewing
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “a total of 249,078 babies were born to women aged 15-19 years” in United States. (2014) Adolescence is a difficult period not only for the teenager but for the parents as well. A period of physical and mental changes. It can be “considered the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood.” Teenagers do crazy things without thinking in consequences, like go out without permission in the night, get a tattoo, fight at school, scape from school, scape from home or get pregnant. Pregnancy in teenagers is a problem that can be reduce if birth control pills could be available without prescription. If there were more accessible for teenagers, it could help so much
Ninety-nine percent of women between the age of 15-44 have used birth control at some point in their life times. Seventy percent of the majority of Americans, both female and male, believe that insurances should cover the copay of the pill (Birth Control). Birth Control has many different medical benefits. Many young girls and women are prescribed to take this pill. Birth Control is also called an oral contraceptive pill. This pill is created by two man-made female hormones: estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are similar to the ones that are made by the ovaries. The birth control pill improves some medical conditions such as acne, menstrual cramps, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), heavy menstrual periods, Endometriosis, and Amenorrhea. There is a slight risk of blood clots when you conceive the pill. It is about 5 out of 100,000 teens and young women per year that develop blood clots (Medical Uses of the Birth Control Pill). The pill birth control was discovered by a
Seven hundred fifty thousand teenagers, ages fifteen to nineteen, become pregnant each year (“Facts”). Teenage birth specialists have often debated whether or not teenagers should have access to birth control and other contraceptives. Although some people think teenagers having birth control will promote promiscuity, birth control should be accessible to teens because they will put themselves at a higher risk for disease and pregnancy without it, and more teenage girls would get a high school diploma with it.