The Pros And Cons Of Birth Control

Birth control. There are many different forms, uses, and opinions on the topic. These varying opinions have made it harder and harder for women and girls to access these means due to a sense of shame bestowed upon those who desire contraceptives. Free and accessible birth control, contraceptives, and information on use should be distributed on a global level.

In the 1950’s, the first birth control pill was created by Margaret Sanger as an attempt to combat unsafe forms of abortion. Unfortunately, with the creation of proper birth control came the creation of the stigma around its use. This stigma is ending the lives of women all around the world. When women are shamed out of getting help, there is the possibility they will attempt to help themselves

(Article 16 Part 1). This shows that all humans have the right of founding a family. This also means that all humans have the right to choose the opposing option, the desire not to create a family. This choice is classified as a human right, but it is not treated as one. The right to create a family is broadcasted, dramatized, and celebrated. Hundreds of thousands of people follow the pregnancies of celebrities. There are television shows, movies, and novels revolving around the themes of childbirth and the process of raising a child. When most women are pregnant they receive congratulations. The other side of this, the choice not to conceive, is villainized, hated, and not properly explained. Schools turn away from any kind of sexual health education that is not fueled by abstinence, companies providing birth control are scrutinized and defunded. The human right to a choice is being infringed daily. The right to create life and the right not to are on the same level, and should be treated as

The teaching of abstinence only in schools shows the belief that birth control is used only for intercourse, and treating birth control like the boogeyman will prevent teens from having intercourse. An article titled “Why Abstinence Education? It’s Right- and it Works” claims, “First, sex produces babies. Sexual abstinence prevents pregnancy. Abstinence-until-marriage — and faithfulness after marriage — not only protects against sexually transmitted diseases, it gives young people a stronger platform from which to pursue their dreams and goals”. While this may make sense in the eyes of the unpronounced author, dropout rates from teen pregnancy differ. The Center for Disease Control states, “Pregnancy and birth are significant contributors to high school dropout rates among girls. Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by 22 years of age, whereas approximately 90% of women who do not give birth during adolescence graduate from high school” (“Reproductive Health: Teen Pregnancy” ). This shows that even though abstinence education is not doing a correct job, due to the fact that teens still have intercouse, and are left off worse due to lack of education and birth control. If teens are taught safe forms of sex, and given the means to be safer, dangerous behaviors and consequences are