Giving Birth Control to Teenagers
Giving birth control to teenagers is among the most contested issues in the society, and in all countries of the world. People who propose the idea argue that it is a reality teenagers are getting involved in sexual activities and therefore, ought to be prevented from the risks involved. On the contrary, others feel that allowing teenagers to access birth control measures will only help to propagate their risky sexual behaviors. Whichever the case, it is a pressing issue and requires attention. However, it is important to look at some basic facts to be in a position to employ the best solution. Without negating the fact that there are a lot of grave consequences closely tied to teenage pregnancies, giving birth control cannot be a lasting solution to the problem at hand. In addition, there are some birth control measures which have serious side effects and can be detrimental to their health. With that background in mind this; paper argues against giving birth control to teenagers.
Negative consequences of teenage pregnancies are evident for everyone living in the contemporary society. To begin with, giving birth is strenuous to young mothers bearing in mind that their body is not well developed to withstand the whole process of the pregnancy and child birth. Once they give birth, teenagers are not usually in a position to take care of the infant, psychologically, economically and even socially. A baby requires a stable family and more often than not, teenagers who get pregnant end up becoming single parents. Such children end up in the streets and the consequences of the same require no further emphasis. Teenage pregnancies increase the economic burden of any country because in most cases, teenagers who become pregnant fail to complete their education, a condition which increases the dependency ratio ( World Health Organisation par. 6).
Having put into consideration all impacts of teenage pregnancies, birth control has emerged as a solution to the problem. Well, it is true that birth control helps to prevent teenage pregnancies and thereby reduces or eliminates the impacts of the same. Nonetheless, that does not help to solve the root cause of the problem. Moreover, even after giving birth control, teenagers still continue to practice unsafe sex. Most of the birth control measures are not a hundred percent effective. Therefore, allowing teenagers to use birth control may even lead to more harm because they will be confident they cannot get pregnant. Some of the birth control measures have even frustrated married people after failing to work. Apart from that, there are some problems associated with premarital sex like the sexually transmitted diseases that can not be effectively prevented by some birth control measures. There is a high probability that most teenagers using birth control measures may be more willing to engage in sexual activities and thereby increase the risks of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases and illnesses.
It is true that birth control is an important measure and contains some incredible benefits. However, on the other hand, there are better methods of solving the problem which are even less risky. For instance, according to the studies of Teen Pregnancy (par4), use of sex education which involves education on abstinence has proved to be vey effective. The same studies indicate that after conducting sex education, teenage birth rates dropped from 37.1% to 35.2%. Sex education is very important because teenagers are not only taught on the importance of abstinence, but they also gain knowledge and skills which enables them to make informed decisions concerning sex. Although there is sex education before giving birth control; it is far much more important to concentrate on the most effective solution. Even though it may not work as fast, sex education is very significant in controlling teen pregnancies and other risks associated with sexual activities.
As much as use of birth control during teenage years is a contentious issue, focusing mainly on the root cause and the risks involves can be very helpful on deciding the way forward. It is true that there are some inconceivable benefits but on the other hard, there are various short comings associated with the same. Moreover, birth control does not completely solve the problem of teenage pregnancies and can be termed as a temporal solution. Most importantly, there are other better and effective methods. Therefore, giving birth control to teenagers should be done away with due to risks involved and also due to the fact that there are better methods which can be used.
Works Cited
World Health Organisation . Adolescent pregnancy. 2010. Web. 16 November 2010.
Teen Pregnancy. World Population Awareness. 2010. Web. 16 November 2010.
Use the order calculator below and get started! Contact our live support team for any assistance or inquiry.
[order_calculator]