Category: Birth Control

Introduction

Birth control or control of population growth has been a raging debate for centuries because it is a sexual issue that religion, traditions, politics, and the entire society has silenced and laden it with lots of taboos.

During the ancient times, sex and sexuality had been under immense silence as no one was supposed to talk about it in public places. According to Foucault, sex has been a secret affair because there has been so many forces that reduced it to silence, but has recently loosened up and allowed people to question the intricacies of sex (78).

Realizing that sex has been secret and silenced for centuries, modern society is struggling to unravel the mystery behind sex through various discourses. In the late 18th century and early 19th century, population growth rate of the world was growing exponentially. For instance, in the United States, women had an average of seven children, and thus, necessitated control of population.

Although governments saw the need to control population growth, various religions and cultures were against it, for they perceived reproduction as a natural process that needs no interference. Religions, cultures, and politics have been grappling with the issue of population growth because while some perceive it a societal issue, others perceive it as a reproductive issue of women.

Discourses in culture, religion, politics, education, health, feminism, sexuality, gender, race, and class show that birth control is an issue that touches on womens health, and therefore, women have the right to control population growth.

Culture and Traditions

During ancient times, culture and traditions imposed many taboos on sex and sexuality in that societal values determined matters related to reproduction. Since men dominated society, they had powers to determine the number of children that their wives should have in marriage. Men had powers to decided ethics regarding sex as they imposed taboos to restrict how women perceive their sexuality and reproduction.

Foucault asserts that sex exists in a binary system of right and wrong, legal and illegal, permitted and forbidden, which shows that it is subject to law and power (83). The law and power associated with sex gave men powers to have control over women and decide their sexuality, gender and reproduction.

Cultures and traditions suppressed women, for they did not give them freedom to champion for their rights as members of the society with reproduction capacity (Berreman 400). Due to male chauvinism that dominated the society, issues involving sex and women were in deep silence and under the domain of men because taboos imposed many restrictions.

Evolution of cultures and traditions from ancient times to modern society has led to empowerment of women and diminishing of taboos, which restricted women from advocating for their rights. The adoption of various cultural and traditional practices, from various parts of the world, led to development of civilized culture and traditions that recognize exceptional needs of women and empower them.

Sex and sexuality transformed from silence state into public debates due to the emergence of many discourses. Discourses have significantly enhanced perception of gender, sexuality and humanity, which subsequently led to the emergence of the need to control population.

Luker argues that, counter normative approach to sexuality is an effective discourse that has empowered women by restructuring and configuring societal power (29). In spite of cultural taboos that restrict women from having power to control their sexuality and reproduction, modern society has made significant strides towards empowering women in matters of birth control.

Society has different members with different attributes that classify them into races and classes. Race and class influence how people perceive the essence of population control. In the society, race and class determine social status and power of an individual. Ability of women to control their sexuality and reproduction in spite of societal pressure depends on racial and class prejudices of the society.

Conventionally, whites are privileged race relative to blacks, hence making them to have a higher social class than blacks. Luker debates that, due to diversity of race and classes, people have used different contraception methods because of their unique beliefs, traditions, and cultures (54).

Since whites have a high social classes and race, their family lifestyles of having few children has formed the basis of civilization. Blacks are aping whites culture because they have empowered their women to have control over their reproduction and sexuality. Trends of population growth show that, blacks have high growth rate, yet they have lower social class because most are living below the poverty level.

Critical analysis of race and class shows that, white women have control over their sexuality and reproduction; thus, they have low reproductive rate. On the other hand, black women have limited control over their sexuality and reproduction, which explains why they have high reproductive rate. Therefore, it means that privileged race and high social class are factors that empower women to regulate the sexuality and reproduction.

Religion

Regions have played a critical role in restricting control of population through their teachings on morality and spiritual matters. Dominant religions of the world like Christianity, Islam and Hindu have been against control of population using contraceptives and abortion.

Religious leaders assert that, the use of contraceptives and abortions as means of controlling population is contrary to divine teachings, and thus an abomination to God. Nevertheless, diverse religions perceive control of population as a moral, as well as, a spiritual issue that an individual or political entity has no power to dictate.

Therefore, religions perceive that women have no right over their sexuality and reproduction because they fall under family, which is an integral unit of society. A moral society has responsibility of ensuring that every family adheres to religious principles that reflect divine values and virtues.

According to Teltsch, Pope Paul IV issued encyclical banning artificial birth control methods because there are against Christian teachings (17). The encyclical triggered mixed reactions not only among Catholics but also in healthcare systems across the world.

Many Catholics perceived banning of artificial methods of family planning as a bold move that deserves praise, while others perceived it as retrogressive move that would deprive women of their sexual rights. Mixed reactions among population showed that, birth control would continue to be a raging debate until women attain right to their sexuality.

Religions perceive procreation as a divine gift that God gave to humanity; thus, they have a responsibility of ensuring that families should comply with divine principles to respect marriage as a divine institution. According to Islam, use of contraceptives and legalization of abortion is an abomination and sin that God does not support.

Muslims believe that control of population using contraceptives is unspiritual because it promotes prostitution and promiscuous behavior in the society. Moreover, abortion is not only an immoral act but also a crime because it involves murdering of innocent fetus, which has no power to protect itself unless religion and society protect it.

Srikanthan and Reid explain that, Muslims believe that a family is a basic unit of society, which depends on sex for procreation purposes according to the will of God (132). They believe that use of artificial methods in control of the population is contrary to the will of God and detrimental to humanity due to loss of morals.

With time, religions have come to realize that population control is a critical issue in the society that is subject to many factors apart from religious teachings. Ancient religions depicted sexuality from divine perspective, but current religions have reduced it to moral levels where people can have their own opinions.

Thus, in modern society, there are no explicit religious principles that outline recommended contraceptive methods except abortion. Various religions agree that abortion is a crime unless done under a medical condition that threatens life of mother and baby. In response to economic, legal and social pressures, diverse religions have recommended different methods of population control.

According to Srikanthan and Reid, catholic recommends abstinence and rhythmic method, while Islam supports coitus interruptus and some contraception methods that are safe, legal and temporary (132). Hence, disparity in religious beliefs has led to diversification in contraceptive methods.

Trends of contraception methods among religions show that women have ultimate decision on the nature of contraceptives that they use in controlling population. Although religions can recommend kinds of contraceptives that women should take, they cannot force anyone, hence women have the power to decide their reproductive health.

Political Economy

Population control is a political issue since it relates to economic growth and welfare of population of a country. Demographic experts are warning that exponential growth of population signal impending disaster since economic resources are diminishing gradually.

Since population growth is going to strain diminishing resources, many countries are trying to use various means of contraception to slow down population growth and stabilize economic growth sustainably. Increase of population in one country threatens the sustainability of resources in other countries since resources flow according to factors of demands and supplies.

To achieve a stable political economy, politicians are formulating policies and regulations, which are essential in regulating population growth. A country with the capacity to regulate its population has assurance of better economic growth and improved welfare of the people because there is sustainable utilization of resources.

A country with uncontrolled population growth has no future prospects because it cannot sustain its own people with time. Michelle asserts that, empowering women to advocate for their rights, and have access to family planning methods are ethical and most effective means of controlling population growth (34).

Stable economy requires that every woman should have an average of two to three children to guarantee both sustainability of resources and maintain stable growth rate of population. From a perspective of political economy, control of the population is a matter that is in the sphere of women, and thus they deserve to have right to their sexuality and reproduction.

Countries with exponential growth of the population are now advocating for birth control by use of contraceptives and abortion to eliminate unwanted or unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies are a serious burden to women because it affects their welfare state by restricting them to childbearing lives.

Siow argues that, availability of birth control pills and legalization of abortion has significantly improved welfare of women because they can postpone marriage, pursue their careers and accumulate wealth while indulging themselves in sexual activities (3). The importance of the contraceptive pill became evident in 1970s when number of women who join universities and colleges increased markedly.

Hence, use of contraception and legalization abortion is an effective way of not only regulating population growth but also empowering women to focus on their careers as their male counterparts.

For centuries, childbearing has been basic responsibility of a woman in the society because men dominated their sexuality. However, advent of contraception methods and legalization of abortion has enabled women to make an informed decision on when to have children without any undue pressure from men.

Gender and Sexuality

Realizing that men have been dominating society, as well as their sexuality, women began to advocate for their empowerment through ideology of feminism. Feminism is an ideology, which asserts that, men and women have equal capacities in the society for it seeks to dispel cultural and traditional beliefs that have led to marginalization of women.

The society had perceived women as weak and different from their men counterparts, hence weaker gender. Such perception led to the emergence of gendered roles in the society because women had limited roles of childbearing, but men had unlimited roles, which allowed them to pursue their careers and develop their human capital leaving women behind.

According to Seidman, Fischer and Meeks, feminists advocated for equal treatment before the law and socio-economic terms (44). Feminists argued that gendered roles emerged in the society because men correlated their sexuality with gender, yet they are quite different entities.

They claim that sex is biological condition while gender is a social construct that men created, so that they can determine their place and roles in society. Thus, if men perceive women as equal partners in the society, then they will not impose unnecessary restrictions on their sexuality and reproduction. Gender inequality is restricting women from advocating for their rights and accessing various family planning methods.

To emancipate themselves from dominance of men, feminists targeted political arena as means of fostering their feminism agenda. In 19th century, women in the United States did not have the right to vote; therefore, feminists struggled extremely hard to ensure that they obtained the right to vote. After attaining the right to vote, women continued advocating for their rights by competing for political positions.

With time, more women joined politics so that they could exercise their power effectively towards empowering themselves in the society that men have dominated. Political positions accorded powers to women, which significantly transformed the perception of women as mere weaker gender, since they demonstrated that they had equal capacity as men.

Seidman, Fischer and Meeks state that, women who entered politics made marked contribution to emancipation of women since they advocated for affirmative action (45).

Affirmative action enabled formulation of policies and laws that led to empowerment of women in the society, for it recognized their vulnerability to dominance of men. Thus, making women have reproductive rights by allowing them to have access to contraceptive methods and abortion is also going to support affirmative action.

Education has also empowered and liberated women in modern society. During ancient times, women have been groping in darkness because they had limited education regarding sexuality, reproduction and careers. Men dominated various fields of knowledge and restricted women to childbearing because culture and tradition dictated so.

However, as more women went to school, they started gaining knowledge concerning sexuality, reproduction and career development that emancipated them from cultural and traditional shackles that men had imposed on them. Luker contends that schooling of women was a significant step that enabled them to compete effectively in family, community, and political spheres of society (56).

Currently, it is quite evident that men and women have equal opportunities in the society because they perform similar duties, have same careers and equal rights. Given that birth control relates to womens health, it is imperative that women should have reproductive rights of deciding types of birth control that they use.

Health Care

Improved health care services of reproduction have enabled women to make informed choices concerning methods of contraception. Healthcare system has provided numerous contraceptive methods that suit various needs of women, hence, allowing women to control conception and their sexual activity.

Prior to the emergence of numerous contraceptives in the market, women relied on their husbands to prevent them from conceiving. Then, common methods of preventing contraception were coitus interruptus, abstinence, and rhythmic method, which entirely depended on men; hence, women did not have the capacity to control of their sexuality and reproduction.

According to Srikanthan and Reid, emergence of contraceptives such as pills and intra uterine devices gave women power to control conception and their sexuality (134). In modern society, women can decide whether to conceive or not without necessarily consulting their partners. Therefore, since contraceptives are readily available as over the counter drugs, women should have right to control their sexuality and reproduction.

Additionally, healthcare system has provided an option of abortion following legalization of abortion. Legalization of abortion has considerably enhanced powers that women have in reproduction because statistics shows that out-of wedlock births have reduced significantly.

In the modern society, women cannot accept to give birth to a child out of wedlock because it is extremely expensive, and it is going to ruin their potential of getting another husband. The modern society has few single mothers, as compared to the recent past, because legalization of abortion has provided a means for women to terminate unwanted pregnancies.

Siow reasons that, the availability of legal abortion has reduced the bargaining power of women for marriage, since they can control their sexuality and reproduction, unlike earlier when fear of pregnancy compelled them to get married (2). Hence, legalization of abortion has demonstrated that women need power over their sexuality and reproduction for them to control population effectively.

Conclusion

Control of population growth elicits immense controversy in the society since it clashes with cultural, traditional and religious beliefs of the people. Matters of sexuality and reproduction date back to ancient times when society held firmly to the taboos, which restricted women from exercising full control of their bodies.

Religion strictly asserted that family is a basic unit of society with procreation powers bestowed on it; hence, control of population using contraceptives and abortion is detrimental to the society and family, as well. However, various governments across the world realized that control of the population has economic benefits for it promotes economic growth and sustainable utilization of resources.

Feminists then emerged and advocated for empowerment of women through affirmative action, which enabled women to obtain more powers to control their sexuality and reproduction.

Recently, improved healthcare system enhanced reproductive health by improving accessibility to various methods of contraception and abortion following legalization. In view of all these developments, it is quite evident that modern women have control over their sexuality and reproduction, thus have right to control population growth.

Works Cited

Berreman, Gerald. Race, Caste, and Other Invidious Distinctions in Social Stratification. Race Class 13.1 (1972): 385-414.

Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality, Volume 3. New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 1990.

Luker, Kristin. When Sex Goes to School: Warring Views on Sex and Sex Education Since the Sixties. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2007.

Michelle, Goldberg. Skirting the Issue; Debates about Population Growth are Missing the point: Women Need More Control over Their Fertility and Lives. Los Angeles 17 May 2009: 34.

Seidman, Steven, Fischer, Nancy, and Meeks, Chet. Introducing the New Sexuality Studies. New York: Routledge, 2011.

Siow, Aloysius. Do Innovations in Birth Control Technology Increase the Welfare of Women? University of Toronto (2002): 1-46.

Srikanthan, Amirrtha, and Reid, Robert. Womens Health: Religious and Cultural Influences on Contraception. Journal of Obstetrician and Gynaecology 30.2 (2008): 129-137.

Teltsch, Kathleen. Rise in Birth-Curb Services Is Likely to Continue. New York Times 31 July 1968: 17.

Introduction

The need to offer birth control to teenagers is a topic that has been actively discussed over the years, and the interest in it has been increasing. It is important to say that teen childbearing is an issue that has always been regarded as incredibly problematic, and there have been numerous attempts to address it.

Discussion

It is believed that a provision of free birth control would help to solve this issue. It is paramount to say that it is a significant problem that needs to be addressed because the number of cases of teenage childbearing is one of the highest in the United States compared to other countries that are industrialized (Manlove et al. 89). Also, it is necessary to mention that the scope of this problem has reduced in recent years, but it is not possible to determine what has led to such changes. Another issue that needs to be discussed is that a significant percentage of individuals participate in unsafe sex even when they understand that it may be incredibly risky.

The problem is that they may think that birth control is too expensive. It is important to mention that most teenagers are not ready to have children, and it frequently results in poor parenting and other complications. Young parents have to deal with several tough choices, and it is not an easy task to accept such options as abortion because there is still no consensus on this topic. Teenagers must have an understanding of what course of action is reasonable in such cases.

Another issue that should not be overlooked is that an enormous percentage of parents are afraid to talk about sex with their children because of numerous factors.

It is also imperative to note that many factors increase the risk of unsafe sex among teenagers, such as poverty, being drunk, or under the influence of others. Also, it is necessary to mention that the number of teenage childbearing is different for races and ethnicities because of such aspects as traditions and others. One of the biggest issues that should be taken into account is the dissimilarity between the levels of education. An enormous percentage of teenagers do not have access to necessary information at home or educational facilities, and it leads to risky behavior in some cases. It is fascinating that one of the studies suggests that access to free birth control does not reduce teenage pregnancy rates (Girma and Paton 1021). Such results are shocking, and it is entirely possible that there is a need for future research in this area. It is necessary to mention that it has most likely been caused by the fact that many individuals do not have an understanding of issues and complications are related to teen childbearing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is evident that the need to provide birth control to teenagers should not be overlooked. An enormous percentage of incidents and complications could have been avoided if the government took necessary measures. It is believed that teenagers have started to be much less sexually actives because of various factors, and a significant percentage of them begun to use birth control. However, it is still a critical issue that needs to be addressed. Overall, it is necessary to focus on such aspects as an education of the population, and the promotion of safe sex among teenagers.

Works Cited

Girma, Sourafel, and David Paton. Matching Estimates of the Impact of Overthecounter Emergency Birth Control on Teenage Pregnancy. Health Economics 15.9 (2006): 1021-1032. Print.

Manlove, Jennifer et al. Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Transition to a Teenage Birth in the United States. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 45.2 (2013): 89-100. Print.

Most individuals assume that birth control pills were established in the 1960 although the activity dates back several years. A considerable number of traditional cultures developed clean portions of plants and tree bark as a form of controlling birth. Some statistics reveal that an extraction from the silphium plant was quite effective in controlling pregnancy.

Research shows that the plant was in use for over one thousand years ago. New methods were developed during the middle age where some methods were proved to be critical for women that did not realize the consequences of taking mercury or lead. However, with time, there have been improvements in medical technology that has as a result replaced such ineffective approaches of birth control.

Research has revealed that there are some doctors who do not prescribe birth control pills to teenagers or anyone under the age of eighteen (National Research Council 45). Such doctors fail to understand that most youths or teenagers within that age group are quite active sexually due to curiosity or peer pressure. This implies that when doctors refuse to prescribe birth control pills to these teenagers, they are most likely to face some harsh consequences.

For instance, absence of birth control pills means unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, early and unprepared parenthood, loss of parental assistance and dropping out of school. Some of the young women even choose to abort the child, which is illegal. Teenagers and anyone under the age of eighteen should be provided with birth control pills by doctors because such control pills help in controlling or reducing teenage pregnancies.

However, they should not encourage youths to have sex. As long as proper education is provided to these youths, they will not engage in sex every now and then. This paper seeks to find out relevant solutions that can help overcome the problem of doctors unwillingness to prescribe birth control pills to teenagers and anyone under the age of eighteen. This is because of the current rise in teenage pregnancies within the society and the world as a whole.

Problem Statement

Doctors not prescribing birth control pills to teenagers and anyone under the age of eighteen has become a big issue in the entire world. This is because a considerable number of people think that abstinence is the best method, whereas others think that teenagers are supposed to learn how to develop responsible choices in case they plan to engage in sexual activities.

Although abstinence is the only best method to guarantee reduced immorality and unwanted pregnancies, teenage pregnancy rates are constantly increasing, which makes one to think that the abstinence awareness program is not quite effective. This proposal aims at finding solutions that could help solve the problem where doctors are not prescribing birth control pills to teenagers and anyone under the age of eighteen.

Methodology

In order for the research to be successful, it needs to employ some methodologies that will provide the necessary information concerning the problem at hand. This proposal will employ interviews and questionnaires as the best methodologies in finding out why the doctors choose not to provide birth control pills to teenagers, as well as the views of parents, teachers and students concerning the issue. The results will be analyzed and possible solutions enacted depending on the views provided from the research.

Proposed Solution

According to Zonderman (67), there are laws that have been implemented in each state that grants any person under the age of eighteen or teenagers the rights to birth control pills or contraception.

It is advisable that both parents and teenagers learn about the various alternatives laws that exist within their specific dwelling locations so that they know what they are required to do in terms of accessing birth control pills from doctors. For instance, there are about twenty two states inclusive of New York and California that permit any person above the age of twelve to endorse birth control pills.

On the other hand, other nations or states only permit birth control pills to youths or minors who are already married, have accomplished their high school education or are under other programmed groups. When parents and their teenagers, as well as doctors learn and understand the laws governing them, they will both be in agreement on the best approach to take in order to help teenagers manage sexual issues and reduce early pregnancies.

In addition, rather than blaming doctors for not prescribing birth control pills to teenagers and any person under the age of eighteen, it is quite necessary that both teenagers and their parents or guardians develop a strong relationship with each other to create room for free expression between the child and the parent concerning matters of birth control pills and teenage pregnancy.

For instance, it is vital when teenagers talk to their parents because that is the best way in which they get the coverage they need concerning birth control pills. Parents will always have the knowledge on how to deal or handle their sexual active teenagers and they can choose to visit the doctor together so that they can be provided with best approaches depending with the health of the person in question.

Teenagers must check on the doctor in order to discuss their health history before commencing any prescribed birth control. This is because currently, there are a good number of birth control pills available in the market, each with its own side effects. Creating a strong connection with the health provider may result into ensuring that teenagers receive the best existing treatment that is both essential for birth control requirements and their entire health (National Research Council 46).

Furthermore, those doctors not prescribing birth control pills to teenagers will be advised not to be so strict when it comes to providing contraceptive to teenagers because of various reasons. For instance, contraceptive help in controlling unplanned for pregnancy and this will allow the teenager to continue with his or her education because they use birth control pills. Unplanned pregnancy comes with several responsibilities, which anyone under the age of 18 cannot handle.

This is because they lack enough resources such as financial resources to help support both the baby and themselves. These consequences and many others should enable doctors to help the sexually active teenagers and minors with the best methods of controlling pregnancies by accepting to prescribe the control pills to such minors after a serious medical check up. These are some of the proposed solutions that could help solve the problem of doctors not prescribing birth control pills to teenagers.

Works Cited

National Research Council. Risking the Future: Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy, and Childbearing. New York, NY: National Academies Press, 1987.

Zonderman, Jon. Birth control pills. New York, NY: Chelsea House, 2006.

Studying sexuality can be dated back to Platos Symposium, where the origins of gender and desire were discussed. However, the modern western study of sexuality as a formal intellectual discipline begins with the sexologists in the late nineteenth century.

The modernists said that sexual experience was not in any way affecting the moral character (Ellis, Kinsey, Masters & Johnson, 1976). Instead, modernists viewed sexual experience in a positive light when properly managed.

Why Studying Human Sexuality Is Important

The challenge of such research has most likely been a reason to avoid it. However, I view the challenge as even more of a reason to pursue it. There is no superior place for the study of education than in an institution of education. The research can only benefit itself in educating its members, in addition to the wider community.

According to Priscilla Pardini who is a re-known scholar in this field of the study states that:

It is can be viewed as a selfish study in the way that an educational institution is studying the methods of education  (Pardini 1998).

However, it can also be considered altruistic in its aims of helping others shape a full sexual life and understand its positive effects. In understanding individual sexual development and finding personal identity, and discovering different lifestyles.

It is also a topic that all humans can relate to, and are emotional and often spiritually involved with. Therefore if one can educate the community in this faculty, what is learned will then easily carry over to perspectives held in other faculties.

With sexuality education having this powerful effect, it would be an excellent choice for further research (Crasnow 2001).

Another thing that why studying human sexuality is important is that Contraception is an extremely vast topic however little it does not need much research. It is at times called birth control, contraception is different ways in which one can enjoy a sexual relationship without getting pregnant. The barrier methods stop sperm from being transferred to the uterus. Condoms and Intrauterine devices are examples of barrier methods.

By studying human sexuality one can know about the Chemical methods that are utilized to prevent pregnancy. The most frequently used is a pill; surgical sterilization along with natural family planning is also a common method of birth control which is known by studying human sexuality. Surgical sterilization is extremely popular in old aged

The only way not to get pregnant is not to have sex, however, If used properly the current ways of contraception can prevent an individual from getting pregnant.

Criticism of the Subject Matter

The most evident problem with birth control would be the effects of synthetic hormones on a womans body. By using birth control A woman experiences a lot of bodily changes like weight gain, blood clots, mood swings, severe headaches, bloating, dizziness, etc (Tivnan 1995). The problems with other forms of birth control such as the diaphragm, cervical cap, and female condoms could be the improper placement of the item or a reaction to the materials it is comprised of.

Don Marquis, a professor at Kansas university of philosophy takes a moderate-conservative view, he subtly states that:

 The use of contraceptive is a type of abortion before pregnancy. (Benevac 1992)

The article by Margaret Sanger (2005), a nurse, birth control activist, and lecturer states that The Comstock Law of 1873 prohibited the distribution of information and contraception devices to women. Ms. Sanger began to illegally distribute information and methods of contraception to women. Obtaining a second factual statement in Ms. Sangers article impossible proved to be unfeasible. Although the article made extremely strong points regarding a womans right to choose a method of birth control, the article was predominately the opinions of Ms. Sanger.

Even the catholic church criticizes the use of contraception, Pope Benedict XVI: believes that the divine purpose of sex i.e. giving life is eradicated if contraceptive methods will be used.

Many religious and industry leaders embraced this statement, and fail to recognize the suffrage caused by overpopulation. Religiously people argue that it is wrong to exercise birth control and that it goes against what the Bible teaches. In the eyes, many people view abortion as a form of birth control. Perhaps due to abortion so many people are against controlling population control. But, in the means of trying to educate underdeveloped countries abortion would not be finically possible.

There are also some religions that do not allow the use of contraception. Muslims, for example, are not permitted to have premarital sex, and even when the time has come, sexual intercourse with contraception is prohibited. Christians also believe that contraception is extremely wrong. It is not much even science can do when it comes to breaking peoples believe and telling them that their religion is wrong. Christians or Muslims who have strong faith in their religion would not agree to this and try their level best to wipe out all the research regarding contraception

Paul Murray (2005) a professor of spiritual theology at the Angelicum University discusses a holistic approach to birth control. Mr. Murray uses excerpts from Humanae Vitae written by Pope Paul VI in 1968 to use as a backup for his statements. He and his wife use a method much like the rhythm method, in which they refrain from having sex during her fertile period. He states that individuals do not cease to mature beyond childhood. Mr. Murray also states that the number of sexual partners per American has increased significantly. He was not completely against birth control, just the use of artificial hormones. He did discuss the method he and his wife use as birth control. basically, they are not sexually active during the period in which she is fertile. I do not fully agree with his use of the religious article, Humanae vitae, to back up his point of view. However, I did find it very informative with respect to the Vaticans stance on birth control.

Conclusion

The topic of human sexuality and contraception plays great importance in the lives of people; many scholars have studied have presented their views. The fact that this field of study is very vast it cannot be limited to one field. Every scholar of liberal arts realizes its importance.

Criticism is given on every topic that does not in any way reduce the importance of the field of study. Some go for contraception; there is much criticism on the topic however it not reduce its importance.

Different types of contraception were invented in order to prevent a lot of pregnancies that are not wanted this may reduce the rates of abortion. By stating that any type of contraceptive is prima facie ethically immoral, we are defeating our purpose against abortion.

References

Benevac, D (1992). Todays Moral Issues: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives. Indianapolis: Mayfield Publication Company.

Crasnow, S, L. (2001); Models and reality: When science tackles sex. Hypatia, 16, 138-150.

Ellis, H., Kinsey, A., Masters, W. & Johnson, V. (1976); The Modernization of Sex. NY: Harper and Row.

Pardini, P. (1998); The History of Sexuality Education. Rethinking Schools: an urban education resource, 12, 4-11.

Paul Murray (2005); The Purpose of Sex Is Reproduction. Excerpted from Paul Murray, The Power of Humanae Vitae, Brenda Stalcup, Ed. Greenhaven Press.

Sanger, Margaret (1920) Womens Right to Birth Control. Excerpted from Margaret Sanger (2005); Woman and the New Race,..Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale.

Tivnan, E (1995). The Moral Imagination: Confronting the Ethical Issues of Our Day. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Abstract:

Oral Contraceptives (OC) and Birth control pills can cause a lot of side effects in the human body. Taking birth control pills increases the risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Based on the case report, a woman entered the hospital with unknown causes of how she was having artery blocking. That woman was taking only a low dose of oral concentrative for only just a month. She was a healthy woman without any history in her family of a heart attack. Doctors, after doing different examinations and research, concluded that the OC was the reason that the arteries were starting to close. Another study that diagnosed that OC causes heart attacks and strokes in women was the research of Roach, RE. In their research paper, they included and compared different research from other people who did in the past.

Introduction:

Birth control or oral contraceptives are pills that women take daily to prevent pregnancy. In order for the pill to work in preventing pregnancy, each woman must take the pill every day and at the same time. Birth control pills, like every pill, have their side effects; some of the good side effects could be regulating the menstrual cycle and preventing pelvic inflammatory disease and other medical problems. (Swartout-Corbeil, D. M. 2011). Therefore, women don’t use birth control pills only to prevent pregnancy.

There are women and young girls taking these birth control pills to regulate their periods, limit acne, regulate hormones such as testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-sulfate), slow down hair growth, and any other menstrual disorder. Birth control pills can regulate all of that because they contain two main hormones, which are estrogen and progestin. However, there are serious side effects like increasing the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and blood clots in women with a family history of history of heart attacks. (Swartout-Corbeil, D. M. 2011). Also, women who smoke and use birth control have a high chance of developing high blood pressure, diabetes, breast or uterus cancer, and also the risk of having a myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke.

Methods or Experimental Procedures:

This research was based on a 20-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with hand numbness and retrosternal burning pain. (Aslan, A. N. et. al. 2016). While the woman was in the hospital, the doctors were doing different examinations to find what was the cause of this problem. The woman was a healthy woman with no history of heart attacks, a non-smoker with regular blood pressure and heart rates, and the only pills that she was using were oral contractive. (Aslan, A. N. et. al. 2016). However, there was a study that used women who used or didn’t use oral contractive, and their age was from 18 to 50. (Roach, RE. et. al. 2015). This research was done to compare the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke in the users and non-users of oral concentrations. They used different methods to compare their results with other research that happened in the late 90s to prove that OC affects women’s health and can cause myocardial infarction and strokes.

Results:

The results doctors concluded in the case of the woman was that taking the birth control pills had. As a result, arteries start closing. “Since there were no other identifiable risk factors for an acute cardiovascular event, and normal biochemical and hematological investigations, acute inferior MI was ascribed to OC use.”. (Aslan, 2016). This result was concluded from another study that happened in the past. This study that they found was important for them to understand what was going on with the woman. According to the study of Roach with the women, the results of their case were that there was a fatal and nonfatal outcome on arterial thrombosis and myocardial infarction. Based on Roach’s study case, their result was that the women who were using birth control pills had a higher chance of having myocardial infarction and strokes than non-users.

Discussion:

Like every pill, the use of birth control pills has its side effects too, according to the case report “Low-dose oral contraceptive-induced acute myocardial infarction.” It was concluded in the study case of Aslan. A. N. Their investigations found that the women taking the Oral contraceptive were at higher risk of arterial thrombosis than the women who didn’t take the pill. (Swartout-Corbeil, D. M. 2011). To get to this conclusion, they had to pay close attention to the patient and do a lot of examinations and research to find out why her arteries were blocked. In the research of Roach, the mistake that they made was that they chose the groups wrong.

To get a solution that is valid, they should have many groups of women of the same age, weight, height, and years that have been taking the pills, and most importantly, these women should be healthy. The women that are used in the experimental group and the ones as a control group should not have a family history of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, this research should be developed again to get appropriate results that will indicate the results. Both studies are not sufficient research because of their sample groups. However, both cases state that oral contraceptives have a high incensement of myocardial infarction and strokes.

References:

1. Aslan, A. N., Süygün, H., Sivri, S., Keleş, T., Süygün, H., & Keleş, T. (2016). Low-dose oral contraceptive-induced acute myocardial infarction. European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 21(6), 499–501. https://doiorg.rpa.laguardia.edu/10.1080/13625187.2016.1225715
2. Roach RE, Helmerhorst FM, Lijfering WM, Stijnen T, Algra A, Dekkers OM. Combined oral contraceptives: the risk of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD011054. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011054.pub2.
3. Swartout–Corbeil, D. M. (2011). Oral Contraceptives. In J. L. Longe (Ed.), The Gale Encyclopedia of Children’s Health: Infancy through Adolescence (2nd ed., Vol. 3, pp. 1634-1638). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX1918500555/GVRL?u=cuny_laguardia&sid=GVRL&xid=c1d64dc9

Executive Summary

Contraception is effective in improving health and well-being in women while reducing health care costs from unintended pregnancies and abortion. Women’s access to birth control is inadequate, and oral contraception should be available over the counter in Kentucky.

Introduction

Contraception is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century (Committee on Health Care, 2015). It has helped to improve health, well-being, and economic self-sufficiency among women and has helped to reduce maternal mortality. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “US births from unintended pregnancies resulted in approximately $12.5 billion in government expenditures in 2008” (Committee on Health Care, 2015). Making contraceptives affordable and easily accessible in Kentucky would improve health while reducing healthcare costs, unintended pregnancy, and abortion rates.

Obtaining Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills contain hormones that prevent pregnancy and work by stopping fertilization and ovulation. According to Planned Parenthood, “there are many brands of pills,” and “the pill is safe, affordable, and effective” (Parenthood, 2018). Most states in the United States (US) require a prescription to obtain the pill. Typically, women must make an appointment with a gynecologist in order to get a prescription for the birth control pill. While most people can make time to visit their doctor and get a prescription, it can be much harder for others. For example, women may not have the availability in their schedule or may have difficulty getting transportation to a doctor’s office. As beneficial as the pill is, access isn’t currently as available as it should be.

The pie chart above shows common contraceptive methods used by women in the US. The gray shades indicate approximately one-third of US women using sterilization as their method of birth control. About one-quarter use oral contraceptives, as shown by the area shaded orange. In the area shaded blue, one-fifth rely on their male partner to withdraw before ejaculation or to wear a condom. A tenth of women use long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs, as shown in the green shaded area.

Source: Guttmacher 2015

California Law in Kentucky

Many argue a doctor’s visit is an unnecessary barrier to obtaining oral contraception. California law is now allowing pharmacists to provide hormonal birth control after administering a questionnaire and completing a short training (Karlamangla, 2017). Already, pharmacies are shifting from places where one solely picks up medicine to places where patients seek medical care, such as getting shots and checkups. Allowing pharmacists to prescribe oral birth control would be fairly easy to implement in Kentucky. With a short training and questionnaire, pharmacists could be able to prescribe oral contraceptives. They wouldn’t be over the counter, but women would have easier access as they wouldn’t have to go through their doctor or gynecologist to get an initial prescription and could instead go straight to their pharmacy.

Coverage Under the Affordable Care Act

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a mandate that requires employer healthcare plans to provide sterilization procedures, patient education, and counseling for women with reproductive capacity, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved contraceptive methods which is a big step towards allowing women to control their reproductive health (Sobel et al., 2018). However, since it was issued, the mandate has been controversial, and two major cases about it have been brought to the Supreme Court by companies who did not wish to provide FDA-approved contraceptive methods. Now, there are developed accommodations to give coverage to women even if an employer has obligations to provide it. If a company is providing a healthcare plan, then contraceptive methods should be included. While this policy does help to provide contraceptives to women, this policy is not always implemented. The mandate is lacking as companies can opt out of this coverage, and accommodations are already being made.

Recommendation and Conclusion

Women’s reproductive health has been a topic of discussion in the political world. Critics point out that an over-the-counter pill could increase economic disparities among women, and there is no guarantee that over-the-counter birth control would be covered by insurance. Some also argue that an over-the-counter option would be a less effective form of birth control, and women would have less variety. However, an over-the-counter prescription in Kentucky allows women to control their sexual reproduction, protects women from unintended pregnancy, and has the potential to be cost-saving ((Kennedy et al., 2016). Multiple barriers currently prevent women from obtaining and using contraceptives effectively and consistently. Removing the prescription barrier to the birth control pill could increase the use of contraception and reduce healthcare costs. This policy should be enacted at the federal level so women can have access to affordable, FDA-approved oral contraceptives over the counter.

References:

1. Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women. (2015, January). Access to Contraception. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and- Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved– Women/Access-to-Contraception
2. Guttmacher Institute. Contraceptive use in the United States, fact sheet. October 2015. https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/contraceptive-use-united- states. Accessed July 19, 2016.
3. Karlamangla, S. (2017, December 13). Pharmacies now can offer birth control to women without a prescription, but few do. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-pharmacist-birth-control-20171213- story.html
4. Sobel, L., Salganicoff, A., & Gomez, I. (2018, August 09). State and Federal Contraceptive Coverage Requirements: Implications for Women and Employers. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/state-and-federal- contraceptive-coverage-requirements-implications-for-women-and-employers/
5. Kennedy, A., Jess, Z., & Dasari, N. (2016, March 31). The Over-the-Counter Birth Control Debate. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://publicpolicy.wharton.upenn.edu/live/news/1214-the-over-the-counter-birth -control-debate/for-students/blog/news.php
6. Over-the-Counter Access to Oral Contraceptives. (2012, December). Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee- Opinions/Committee-on-Gynecologic-Practice/Over-the-Counter-Access-to-Oral- Contraceptives
7. Parenthood, P. (n.d.). Birth Control Pills | The Pill | Contraceptive Pills. Retrieved October 23, 2018, from https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill

The Evolution of Women’s Control over Reproductive Choices

It’s crazy how something so small in the past can grow to be something so massive in a short amount of time. Over time, women have been mistreated, underappreciated, and have been forced to not have control of many different situations. But over time, women have regained and exceeded how much power they truly have, especially in regard to sexual activity. I truly think the power, especially pertaining to pregnancy and choosing when they truly wanted to have children, came during the invention of birth control.

Even during its early stages, it was more than obvious that women wanted to have control of what came out of their sexual experiments. According to the video, in the early 1920s, doctors were restricted from spreading information about birth control due to anti-obscenity laws. The video also stated, “By 1966, nearly 5 million women were on birth control pills, and by the early 1970’s, more than 8 million women were actively taking birth control.”

Although safe sex should always be the first thought, it was also pleasing to know that you can satisfy your sexual desires without having a child. According to allure.com, “ Gregory Godwin Pincus and John Rock more or less stumbled upon the idea behind the pill while searching for an infertility treatment.” The name of the first-ever birth control pill was “ Enovid,” and it was developed in the 1960s. Before birth control, there were many different many different hypotheses of how women could prevent pregnancy. According to Time Magazine, “In ancient China, concubines would drink lead and mercury before sex to prevent pregnancy, but the late side effects were fatal, and in ancient Greece, a gynecologist named Soranus advised women to hold their breath during intercourse and sneeze afterward.”

Birth Control’s Ongoing Impact: Usage, Advancements, and Empowerment

Since the early years of birth control, there have been many great leaps and bounds; according to the CDC, “62 percent of women aged 15-44 use some kind of birth control.” A lot of the advances of birth control became heightened during the conclusion of World War II. According to the video, “ The happy reunion of returning soldiers resulted in what was called a baby boom.” As a man, I can never relate to being unexpectedly pregnant or dealing with a 9-month pregnancy, but even a lot of my close friends who are married use some type of birth control, and I have even bought a form of birth control in regards to the plan-b pill.

Also, according to the CDC in 2018, “The most common contraceptive methods currently used in the overall age range 15–49 were female sterilization (18.6%) and in last place the male condom (8.7%).” Even though birth control is a great outlet and safety not, it is not for everyone and does come with some risks. According to Medical News Today.com, some side effect of birth control is “weight gain, nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, mood changes, etc.” I have even recently gained the knowledge that some women in this age don’t even use birth control just to prevent pregnancies but also to help control their menstrual cycles.

According to Young Women’s Health.org, “ girls whose menstrual periods are irregular (too few or not at all) birth control pills work by lowering certain hormone levels to regulate menstrual periods. When hormone levels are at normal levels, acne and hair growth often improve.” Since its discovery in the early 1920s, birth has seen its fair share of issues. According to Forbes.com, On May 6, two rulings by the Trump administration would allow employers or universities to deny birth control coverage as a part of their health care plan. I think that women deserve the right to choose how they want their bodies to operate and shouldn’t be blocked from anything that could impact them in a positive way, especially sexually.

References:

1. Posted under Health Guides. Updated 19 July 2018. +Related Content. (2018, July 19). Medical Uses of the Birth Control Pill. Retrieved June 08, 2020, from https://youngwomenshealth.org/2011/10/18/medical-uses-of-the-birth-control-pill/
2. Don Juan to Queen Victoria and the 20th Century, The History Channel, 1999
3. Todd, C. (n.d.). The History and Evolution of Birth Control in America. Retrieved June 08, 2020, from https://www.allure.com/story/history-of-birth-control?irclickid=2s3WqIWoJxyOWaM05-R4sULoUki3Xow1yQciUU0
4. Medicalnewstoday.com. 2020. Birth Control Pill: Side Effects, Risks, Alternatives, And The Shot. [online] Available at:
5. Broster, A. (2020, May 09). 60 Years Since The FDA’s Approval Of The Birth Control Pill. Retrieved June 08, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/alicebroster/2020/05/09/60-years-since-the-fdas-approval-of-the-birth-control-pill/

Struggles Amplified: Media’s Role in Reproductive Rights Debates

In July 2018, Republican Congressman Jason Lewis’s inappropriate and sexist views about women were revealed in a CNN article. The congressman, who is known to be controversial, said that women who voted in favor of health insurance coverage for birth control “were not human beings and were without brains” (Kaczynski). In an even bolder set of comments, Lewis suggested that women who used birth control were sexually active and, therefore, “sluts” (Kaczynski). As a 21-year-old woman, the congressman’s blatant disregard for women’s reproductive rights created personal investment in the continued fight not only for contraception but to combat the stigma surrounding women’s sexuality.

Media is one of the most important tools for minorities and underprivileged groups to utilize. Headlines can be persuasive, articles can highlight injustice, and continued exposure can keep an issue fresh in the public’s mind. Earlier this month, the University of Notre Dame enlisted help from the Trump Administration to avoid providing health insurance coverage for birth control to students (Smith). Because Notre Dame is a Catholic university, representatives used the excuse that helping students buy birth control would “violate its religious beliefs” (Smith). In this circumstance, Jordan Smith’s article, whether intentionally or not, frames the university as the bad guy by showing that they are taking something vital away from their students.

Quotes included within the article from angered students are powerful. The Trump Administration is shown in a negative light, and anyone who reads the article will understand that women, even nowadays, are still struggling to find accessible and affordable birth control. In September, Brett Kavanaugh referred to birth control — more specifically, emergency contraception and IUDs — as “abortion-inducing drugs” (Martinez). His words were beyond pro-life. They were “anti-scientific” (Martinez). This is concerning because Brett Kavanaugh was recently appointed as a Supreme Court justice. Because this article was published about Kavanaugh’s views, people may be more concerned about what type of people have power in our government.

Empowering Women’s Choices: Birth Control as a Catalyst for Social Change

They may try to find candidates that align with their views, i.e., supporting the use of contraceptives. Then, they will vote for those candidates in the coming November midterm election. Thus, knowledge of injustice would serve as motivation for action. The birth control movement has been so much more than just making contraception legal. Feminists of the 19th and 20th centuries had to battle moral and religious stigmas (Gordon 7). There was a dangerous societal “repression of female sexuality” that took power away from women and made them subordinate (Gordon 12). Even women themselves were refusing to support other women because they were afraid of the potential consequences of female sexual empowerment: promiscuity and adultery (Gordon 57).

It wasn’t until norms changed that strong opposition to birth control began to weaken (Gordon 9). The battle for accessible and affordable birth control also ties into women’s rights. Although religious groups believed that birth control was “immoral,” feminists argued that being able to purchase and use birth control was about “choice, freedom, and autonomy” for women (Gordon 1-4). Feminists framed the birth control movement as a “campaign for ‘voluntary motherhood’” (Gordon 1). They thought that women should have the opportunity to decide when and if they wanted to have kids. For America to be a true democracy with equality, freedom, and rights, women should be able to decide what they want to do with their bodies.

That includes sterilization, abortion, and birth control. In a 2016 article published online for The Federalist, feminists were called “shallow and manipulative” for panicking about the potential loss of birth control if Donald Trump were elected as president (Hasson). The author painted feminists as cowards who supposedly ran to their doctors to purchase birth control while they thought they still could (Hasson). Although Mary Hasson made fun of feminists throughout the course of her article, there is nothing funny about people genuinely fearing for the loss of their rights. The article was largely insensitive and took a stab at feminists instead of reassuring them that everything would be okay.

Media’s Impact: Shaping Perception and Fueling Division

Women were further concerned in 2017 when the Trump Administration gave employers the right to “opt out” of providing insurance coverage for birth control (Duane). The author suggested that women who used #Fight4BirthControl on social media and women who were fearful about the exemption were ignorant. “Birth control isn’t necessary for women’s health,” she says and shames women who think they deserve to have their birth control covered by their insurance (Duane). It’s largely disappointing to see one woman putting other women down. Sometimes, birth control is necessary to treat women’s health conditions, such as endometriosis. But even when birth control isn’t needed to save someone’s life, it’s important that women have the right to choose how they want to manage their own bodies.

Every day, members of oppositional media decide “what to emphasize and what to ignore or suppress” (Ashley and Olson 263). As seen in the last two articles, the authors attempted to make feminists and birth control users seem weak and powerless. They mocked them. Along the same lines, conservative websites typically find articles that minimize the achievements of feminists and incessantly talk about the disadvantages of using birth control. One article from Life Site News titled “100 years of Planned Parenthood: Celebrating what exactly?” compiles a list of Planned Parenthood horror stories, coupled with the supposed dark past of Margaret Sanger (Brumfield).

The author fails to highlight a single accomplishment that the organization has made over the last 100 years, thus remaining completely biased and showing its stance against birth control and abortion. Media outlets use “negative framing techniques” to undermine movements (Ashley and Olson 265). For example, conservative websites continually tout the supposed detrimental effects of birth control. One article from The Federalist states that hormonal birth control triples women’s risk of suicide” (Harkness). A second article claims that “hormonal birth control is too dangerous to dispense without a prescription” (Grossu and Livengood). And yet a third article from the same website says that there are links between “birth control and breast cancer” (Harkness).

Towards a Balanced Narrative: Challenging Fear-Based Messaging

The authors use vivid words like “suicide,” “dangerous,” and “cancer” to draw readers in through the use of fear tactics. There aren’t any articles published on the website that praise Planned Parenthood, explain the health advantages of birth control, or offer insight to help readers decide which form of birth control is right for them. Laura Ashley and Beth Olson hypothesize that “coverage of feminists” will be less harsh and negative as time goes on (265). While this isn’t necessarily a given, it makes sense. American society seems to become more accepting as the years go by and as norms break down. It never hurts to remain hopeful about a better world, where people will not have to fear the loss of their rights, not have to wonder how they’re going to pay for their next prescription, and not feel as though they are inferior to another group of people.

References:

1. “Constructing Reality: Print Media’s Framing Of The Women’s Movement, 1966 to 1986.” Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, vol. 75, no. 2, 1998, pp. 263–277. Brumfield, Natalie. “100 Years of Planned Parenthood: Celebrating What Exactly?”
2. Abortion, Contraception, LifeSiteNews, 14 Oct. 2016, www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/100-years-of-planned-parenthood-celebrating-what-exactly. Duane, Marguerite.
3. “Stop Denying Science. Birth Control Isn’t Necessary For Women’s Health.” Health, The Federalist, 2 Nov. 2017, thefederalist.com/2017/11/02/stop-denying-science-birth-control-isnt-necessary-womens-health/.
4. Gordon, Linda. The Moral Property of Women: a History of Birth Control Politics in America. University of Illinois Press, 2002. Grossu, Arina O, and Patricia Livengood. “Hormonal Birth Control Is Too Dangerous To Dispense Without A Prescription.” Health Care, The Federalist, 27 Nov. 2016, thefederalist.com/2016/11/10/hormonal-birth-control-dangerous-dispense-without-prescription/.
5. Harkness, Kelsey. “New Study Finds Hormonal Birth Control Triples Women’s Risk Of Suicide.” Health, The Federalist, 4 Dec. 2017, thefederalist.com/2017/12/04/new-study-finds-hormonal-birth-control-triples-womens-risk-suicide/.
6. Harkness, Kelsey. “Study Of 1.8 Million Women Links Birth Control And Breast Cancer.” Health, The Federalist, 12 Dec. 2017, thefederalist.com/2017/12/12/study-1-8-million-women-links-birth-control-breast-cancer/.
7. “Feminists’ Post-Election Panic Over Birth Control Is Shallow, Manipulative.” Feminism, The Federalist, 18 Nov. 2016, thefederalist.com/2016/11/15/feminists-post-election-panic-birth-control-shallow-manipulative/.
8. Kaczynski, Andrew. “A GOP Congressman Once Lamented Not Being Able to Call Women ‘Sluts’ Anymore.” CNN Politics: KFILE, Cable News Network, 18 July 2018, www.cnn.com/2018/07/18/politics/kfile-jason-lewis/index.html.
9. Martinez, Gina. “Kavanaugh Calls Contraceptives ‘Abortion-Inducing Drugs.’” U.S. Politics, Time, 7 Sept. 2018, time.com/5389449/brett-kavanaugh-contraception-abortion-inducing-drugs/.
10. Smith, Jordan. “Notre Dame Struck a Secret Deal With the Trump Administration to Deny Birth Control Coverage. Now Students Are Fighting Back.” Politics, The Intercept, 11 Oct. 2018, theintercept.com/2018/10/11/notre-dame-health-insurance-birth-control-trump/.

Are you on birth control? Is your husband taking viagra? Are you aware of the advantages and disadvantages that come with taking these products? Are you aware birth control is not free but Viagra is? In today’s society many people are unaware of the background in taking these pills and fail to educate themselves about these pills before taking them. Birth control is a pill used worldwide for various health reason and viagra is used by men for assistance in the bedroom. Viagra and Birth control are two of the most widely discussed health products in the world. Many people find it hard to understand why women are having to pay for a product that prevents pregnancy and helps with health issues, while men are able to receive viagra, a product that helps produce semen during sex. There are many explanations on how both, viagra and birth control came into place and what their purpose is.

There are several reasons why birth control came into place and took a pole on many of our young ladies. For example, as stated in the book The Birth of the pill (page 7), ‘’sex had become a more casual endeavor as foreign women traded their body to American Soldiers for money.’’ Thus being women needed money, but did not want to be responsible for having a baby in the process. In 1912, Margaret Sanger started a movement on birth control by providing a column on birth control in the local newspaper. She then became a nurse and began to realize the concern and affects women had due to childbirth, she also became aware of the struggles women put themselves through when they have a miscarriage or get an abortion and she was determined to put this all to an end. In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the very first birth control clinic in America. She felt that pregnancy should be, as stated in the journal, The Moral Property of women (page 4), “voluntary motherhood”, meaning it should be your choice and freedom. She also felt women should be in control when it came to their bodies and should not be punished for wanting to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. The next year Margaret, sadly, was reckoned guilty for maintaining a public nuisance and then sentenced 30 days of jail time. In 1938, the ban was lifted on birth control and Margaret was set free. That same year Diaphragms, commonly known as womb veils, became the first method of birth control. As time passed by, Ms. Sanger sponsored a research to create the very first form of birth control pills. These pills had a huge impact on women but had strict regulations. Married couples were not given the right to access these pills and in over 20 states single women were still being repudiated the right to access the pills. However, after great debate the supreme court ruled that all women, married or unmarried, were granted permission to use birth control to protect their privacy. Great enlargements on birth control were being developed and improvements in safety and effectiveness were being made, such as the development of the IUD in 2000, an Ortho Evra patch later in 2001, and most recently a single- rod implant in 2006. Many nurses, doctors, and determined women like Margaret Sanger are the reason we are able to protect ourselves from pregnancy with their invention of birth control.

What exactly is birth control? Birth control is a method used by women to prevent pregnancy. Birth control is not only used to prevent pregnancy, but also to help sooth other needs. Planned parenthood says in their online article, “the birth control pill is a safe, simple, and convenient way to prevent pregnancy. It also has other benefits like reducing acne, making your periods lighter and more regular, and easing menstrual cramps.” Another reason why birth control is a plus for women is while many women encounter severe migraines while they are on their period, taking birth control reduces it by 80 percent and Laura Hensley, a journalist from Global newspaper wrote, “the migraines have stopped completely but I may get one every 18 months.” For those many reasons birth control should be covered under health insurance and should be given to patients for free.

Although birth control is praised highly by young women it also has some downfalls. There are numerous side effects that come with taking birth control that many are unaware of. For example the main side effect for most women is weight gain. Over 70 percent of women on birth control, whether it is a pill or a IUD gain weight within the first couple months in taking it. Another issue that has been discovered is if you take the pill and you fail to take them everyday it becomes less efficient and your chances of getting pregnant become greater. The most serious complication in taking birth control pill is the chance of developing blood clots. Dawn Stacey, a certified physician says while taking birth control mixing this pill with other pills who are confined to bed rest have an even greater chance in developing a bed rest. It is very important people are aware of the difficulties in taking birth control and should talk to a doctor before proceeding in taking them. For the most part, the final issue women are facing with birth control is that they are forced to pay for a product to help prevent pregnancy or help obtain menstrual complications while men are able to receive viagra for free from health providers.

Viagra is a pill used by many men, typically older men, to help them during sexual interaction. Viagra is commonly used for men who cannot produce semin or have troubles getting hard. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem faced by men and refers to a spectrum of secual dysfunction, including premature ejection, performance anxiety, and iatrogenic causes (Morgentaler 2003). In 1983, before Peter Dunn presented his research to other doctors , he injected his very own penis with a chemical that caused it to erect. He then became determined to find a way to turn this chemical into an easier form so that men could take it before having sexual intercourse and have the same results he did. In 1989, British Pfizer scientist Peter Dunn and Albert Wood created the first form of Viagra. This gave men the ability to perform better in bed and boost their sex life. Juliette Borda from The New York times says, “I think it reflects an antiquated concept about the importance of sexuality in a person’s life”, claiming that no man should have to let their sex life die. By 1998 viagra dispensed more than 40,000 prescriptions and has now become a pharmaceutical and cultural phenomenon.

Viagra main purpose is to acts as a selective inhibitor of cyclic GMP- specific phosphodiesterase type 5, resulting in smooth muscle relaxation, vasodilation, and enhanced penile erection says from journal of the American College of Cardiology. Not only is Viagra used for men in the bedroom, but can also help with treating health diseases. Viagra has remained the number one choice for men suffering from erectile difficulties because of its high effective medication. Alison Bond wrote a statement in the Science for the curious Discover magazine, that the active ingredient in viagra might hold information leading to new treatments for chronic pain, migraines, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. It has not been proven 100 percent yet but is under research and has so far been a success.

Although Viagra is a man’s best friend in bed it also can be his worst nightmare. It has been scientifically proven Viagra can cause heart attacks if you are not healthy enough for sexaul activty. Taking this pill while in bad health can also lead to death. Men who are already suffering heart problems or take medicine for heart issues should avoid taking Viagra. Viagra can also have a serious side effect that can cause sudden hearing loss or a ringing in the ears. Reporters then made an article on Viagras website informing users that an erection that will not go away could be caused by taking these pills. Taking Viagra can also decrease the blood supply to the optic nerve, and can cause sudden vision. Viagra should not be taken back to back because it can lead to vomiting, rhabdomyolysis, breaking down of the muscle, diarrhea and lastly distorted vision. Men over the past few years have been prime examples that Viagra does have dangerous side effects and symptoms and you should be aware of your medical history before taking them.

In conclusion, both women and men are able to proceed forward with daily activities without having to go through a struggle or fear of having a baby or not being able to produce semun or get hard. Margaret Sanger is the woman who first introduced a way to have sexual contact with a man without having a scare of becoming pregnant. She also made is capable for women to reduce the pains that come with a period. In addition, British physicians Peter Dunn and Albert wood found a way for men to increase the blood flow in the penis and improve erectile function. Both of these medications are used worldwide and have grown in sales since they were first produced. Some may feel both medicines should be covered on all insurances, others may think birth control should be covered on insurance rather than Viagra.

Since the 1500’s young women were conceiving children at a young age. This occurred all around the world in many different countries with and without the consent of the young woman. In today’s world, young women beginning from the age of 15-19 are still conceiving children and the birth rate is 18.8 per 1,000 women based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The government, who is majority ran by men, are making male decisions on female issues, and shows female inequality on a women’s ability to obtain birth control.

Today, the young pregnant women are attacked upon from being pregnant at such a young age. Regardless of the situation whether the woman was planning or not on conceiving, the world will criticize these women who are pregnant. Majority of the women who conceive between the age of 15-19, are unplanned pregnancies, and some major reasons could be because the women did not have access to birth control. Perhaps, the man was protected, however, an unplanned pregnancy can still occur. Sociologically, the women who face all the hate from the people who judge these women are facing a lot of mental health issues from all the disturbance.

The statistics indicate the teen pregnancy rate from the year 2016 and 2017. As shown above, the rates decreased, however, there is not a clear answer stating whether the declination was due from women abstaining from sexual activity or if the women had access to birth control. Hispanic, African American, and Alaskan Native or Alaskan Indian are still the three main races who continue to have the highest race.

The issue on politics is how the men are either deciding on making birth control more expensive to obtain and are forcing women to proceed in abortions. There are many organizations that help low-income women in obtain free to low-cost birth control such as Planned Parenthood and Title X. Title X has prevented more than 800,000 unintended pregnancies a year (1) If this program is lost, I believe the abortion rate will increase drastically which is another male decision on a female issue. As for Planned Parenthood, if the government eliminates federal funding, there will be fewer clinics, and longer wait times. This can cause few to no clinics in some towns or cities for women to have access who are unable to obtain birth control without insurance.

For the women who do have insurance, the cost of birth control is increasing drastically. There are many women who have insurance, however, based on the employment, there are some employers who are religious-based, and therefore, the insurance the employees have no coverage on birth-control. This means, these women will have to pay out-of-pocket meaning seeking to resources such as Planned Parenthood that could possibly not be available. If the woman decided to pay out-of-pocket through her insurance with no overage, the cost is very expensive. If the law continues, the cost for an American woman would increase at least $1.4 billion every year (1). Once insurance covers a woman’s birth-control, there are many pharmacists that can possibly reject the dispense of birth-control. There are thirteen states today can reject the dispense because of personal belief (1). There are six other states that can “hold” a woman’s birth control instead of transferring the prescription to another pharmacy, thus, forcing a woman to make phone calls or doctor visits in order to obtain a new prescription because once the pharmacy denies, or returns the prescription, per protocol, the doctor will have to send a new prescription. This can make obtaining very difficult because if a woman who lives in one of the six states where the pharmacy denies the prescription, how would the woman be able to obtain her birth-control? It would be impossible for a woman to obtain birth-control and would seek to federal programs if there are any in that city.

With male politicians being in control, the science behind each birth-control is being implied negatively for a way to make birth-control look as a bad thing. For instance, the emergency contraceptive pill is looked at as an abortion pill. However, scientifically, the emergency contraceptive pill contains a hormone called levonorgestrel, and when taken, the hormone is release that prevents a woman from ovulation, therefore there would be no egg in the uterus for the sperm to fertilize. The abortion pill is stopping an existing pregnancy that causes cramps and heavy bleeding. However, many politicians argue the contrary for the emergency contraceptive pill to be impossible to obtain.

In conclusion, this feminist dilemma on woman being able to obtain birth-control is unequal since the male politicians are making decisions on female issues. The organizations that help low-income woman are being removed, federal funding is decreasing, some insurances have no coverage on birth control, and there are pharmacists who can refuses the dispense of birth-control. If birth control would have an easier access to all woman, especially to younger women, I believe there would be less unexpected and unwanted teen pregnancies. If there are fewer teen pregnancies, there could be less children neglected and left into orphanages. Lastly, I believe many issues that woman face today could be dramatically reduced if women and teens had an easier access to birth-control.