Should Teenagers Have Access to Birth Control

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

Additional research has explored the effects of abstinence based programs on actual behavior outcomes. Kohler, Manhart, and Lafferty (2008) compared the effects of abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education programs, operationalizing effectiveness in terms of initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy rates. They found that teenagers who received comprehensive sex education rather than abstinence-only or no education were significantly less likely to report a teenage pregnancy. In addition, their conclusions mirrored Sather and Kelly (2002), finding that abstinence-based programs did not reduce the likelihood of engaging in sexual activity. Kohler, Manhart, and Lafferty (2008) actually concluded that comprehensive sex education was more likely than abstinence based to reduce the percentage engaging in sexual activity. Overall, the researchers showed that comprehensive sex education, including but not limited to contraception, did not increase the prevalence of sexual activity in teenagers or the risk of teen pregnancy, while also showing the that abstinence only education produced a higher likelihood of pregnancy.

As we see in the world today many teens are becoming mothers before they finish high school or before they turn 18. Although some teens are on birth control already many are not because they are afraid to tell their parents which may lead to their parents thinking they are sexually active. Moreover, teens usually find themselves in a professional clinic trying to seek different options of birth control but they are derailed by having parental consent or notification. Many clinics have a policy were teen needs to have parental consent to receive birth control. Many parents feel that teens should be able to make the choice by themselves if they are having sex or just being careful. But the one question many parents are unable to agree upon

As a result of the unsuccessful overly funded abstinence only programs, teens fail to use contraception. This leads to increased pregnancy rates. Students and teens fail to use contraception because they are not informed of its importance and how to access it. This is why many people feel it is important to replace abstinence only with comprehensive sex education.

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

In 2005, nearly half of all high school students have had sexual intercourse. Plainly stating that abstinence programs do not work (USA Today). Abstinence programs were beneficial many years ago, but since they are ineffective in delaying teen pregnancy, then teen pregnancy rate has increased. Abstinence programs teach the “no sex until marriage” clause, but they don’t teach teens about birth control and the consequences of having sex at before they’ve matured. Although many studies argue that abstinence programs are educational and beneficial, other studies will show that they don’t delay teen sex, they don’t prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and are a waste of taxpayers’

Birth control should not be allowed for teens because of the cost. According to Planned Parenthood, “Birth control can cost from $0-50 and that does not include the doctor price/visit,” (Where Can I Buy Birth Control Pills & How Much Do They Cost). Not everyone has the money to pay for birth control on their own so not everyone can afford it. Erin Gloria Ryan stated, “The high cost of birth control has prompted 25% of women who make less than $75,000 per year to put off going to the doctor. About 29% of women in the same income range have used their birth control method incorrectly in an attempt to try to make it last longer,” (Actually, Birth Control's Pretty Expensive). Lots of women are not using their birth control the right way due to trying to make it last longer since they can't really afford it so much. Some people think that birth control is a form of abortion. This prevents having a fertilized egg even though this is not what birth control is used for it helps this process. They also say birth control is unnatural and interferes with conceiving a child. They're trying to say that birth control interferes with the world's natural order ruining the cycle of conceiving a child. Although the core of this argument seems valid, it has a mistake in it's logic. Birth control should be allowed for teens so that not so many teen girls are dropping out of school early due to unwanted or unplanned

Do you think that teenagers should have access to birth control ? Do you think they are responsible for any side effects ? Birth control is a way to prevent you from getting pregnant. Many teenagers need to understand that there is a way from not getting pregnant. In my opinion I believe that teenagers should use birth control because there would be less drop outs , reducing teen birth rate and better health benefits for womens. Teenagers should have access to birth control because it will cause less drop-outs, reduce the teen birth rate and the health benefit for women.

Studies have also shown that abstinence-focused programs have failed to reduce STI rates. The American Sexual Health Association states, “More than half of all people will have an STD/STI at some point in their lifetime,” (“Statistics”). Comprehensive sex education would teach teenagers how to improve their sexual health, prevent unwanted pregnancies, and prevent sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Providing students with this information does not encourage them to participate in sexual activity sooner. Several findings show that, “[Comprehensive sex education] effectively promotes abstinence and may delay sexual debut, reduce sexual frequency, reduce the number of sexual partners, reduce STI risk, and increase the likelihood of consistent contraceptive use,” (Jeffries 173). Comprehensive sex education will be beneficial to students by teaching them how to have sexual intercourse safely, if they choose to not remain abstinent.

Not every teen who wants to get on birth control wants to get on it just because they want to have sex. Not all teens are able to talk to their parents about their personal lives medical or sexual. Teenagers who are on birth control have a less likely chance of getting pregnant and having to enter adulthood at too young of an age. This is why teenagers should be able to get birth control without parent permission. Teens that want to have safe get, get on birth control.

Teens having access to contraceptives would decrease the number of teens developing an STI. Contraceptives would also decrease the number of teenage pregnancies. In the article, “At Issue: Birth Control Availability,” the author states that birth control is necessary to lower the number of teen pregnancies. The author informs “Those who favor providing easy access to contraceptives say that young people who are already sexually active will not abstain from sex just because they don’t have access to birth control and will instead put themselves at risk for pregnancy” (“ProQuest”). Teens will continue to have sex, but providing contraceptives would lower the number of teen pregnancies.

Today, sexually active teenagers can get contraceptives to protect themselves from unplanned pregnancies or sexual diseases without a parent’s permission. In some states federal lawmakers have taken away the ability for teens to protect themselves, they want to prevent sexually active teenagers from getting birth control and condoms unless they get parents permission. Preventing teens from getting contraceptives unless they tell a parent will not stop them from having sex. It will drive them away from the services they need to protect themselves, leading to higher rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases

Young pregnancies are beginning to become more of a continuous thing in the U.S. The majority of teenagers would rather have sexual intercourse than succeed in school. Yet they never look at the consequences. Abstinence has been a perfect resolution for this. Some people would state that abstinence is for primarily vaginal, some would see any sexual activities as a part of abstinence. “Used continuously, abstinence is 100 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. It also prevents STDs.” a source said(www.plannedparenthood.org).Abstinence is overall to help avoid pregnancies along with STD’s. It is 100% effective towards deferring from young pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.(This sentence is a little confusing, try rewording

“I know abstinence is the only 100 percent way of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases” said Debbie Sandland. ( Day, Brenda 1) This is an example that the majority of adults prefer abstinence only education and find it appropriate. Debbie believes that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy and STD’s. Yes, it is true but abstinence is not the best method to teach students because abstinence only education is not based on science and sex education programs needs to be based on science, not political or religious dogma. (Tucker Cynthia B6) “By teaching them methods of birth control, I think we are giving them a false sense of security,” Barry said.(Day, Brenda 1) This is another example of majority of adults finding abstinence only education appropriate. In my opinion, we are not giving teens a false sense of security by teaching them about birth control. We are just teaching them that are different options and they might need to use those options later on in life.

True there are safe birth controls out there, but not one is totally one hundred percent effective. And no matter how hard people try society is never going to except teen mothers. There are still teens today that are not using a form of birth control. They are too afraid to bring this subject up with their parents and this can result in unsafe sex. Due to this there are many teens that become pregnant and chooses not to tell their parents. They feel their parents will look down upon them, because that is how society sees young mothers. So they decide to fix this problem, the only way they know how, by getting an abortion. As of now, a teenager still has the