Debate on Birth Control Methods for Teenagers
There has been a debate in the previous years on the use of birth control methods to the teenagers. In any case, parents are sometimes hesitant to talk about birth control methods in fear that it may trigger sexual activities. However, the birth control methods are known to reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancies and control the infection of sexually transmitted diseases. In this sense, it would be better for teenagers to use them, which would be a way of protecting the sexually active teenagers. In this regards, teenagers should use birth control methods because they help in avoiding unwanted and unplanned risks that may be present in their sexual life.
Controlled Birth among Teenagers
One of the benefits of giving birth controls to teenagers is that there is controlled birth among teenagers. In 2011, more than 330,000 babies were born by young women between the age of 15 and 19 (Martinez et al). However, the rate of giving birth to teenagers dropped significantly, and the achievement would be attributed to the use of birth control. Typically, the only way to control the sexually active teenagers would be using birth control methods, which will not only control childbearing but also preserve their future. Essentially, teen mothers are likely to drop out of school, which would make it hard for them to make a decent living. However, that can be prevented by the use of birth control pills.
Reducing Transmission of Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Birth control methods for teenagers have also played an impact on reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Majority of the teens are contracting genital diseases such as genital help or gonorrhea because of practicing unsafe sex. In other cases, some are unlucky to get infected with HIV/AIDS. In this case, the use of birth control methods would help in avoiding such risks (Martinez). Although the birth control pills may not be effective in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS or the sexually transmitted diseases, condoms have the highest percentage of reducing the spread of these diseases. They may not be 100 percent active, but they are far much better than practicing sex without them.
Emotional Strife and Birth Control
Although the birth control methods for teens are helpful, they should be aware of the emotional strife that they would engage in. Typically, the birth control methods will reduce unplanned pregnancies and the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, but it would not guarantee the emotional strife control that is triggered when they have sex (Levine). In some instances, the teens may develop psychological problems especially if they feel that the person they engaged sex with has betrayed them. In this sense, they will find it difficult to establish a healthy relationship in the future. They will practice sex because there are the birth controls methods later leading them to psychological problems that would affect their future relationships.
Conclusion: The Importance of Abstinence
In conclusion, the use of contraceptive and other birth control pills have been useful in protecting teens from unwanted pregnancies while reducing the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. However, the teens should not cave into sex because they have a safe way of doing it but should wait until a time when they are ready. They are encouraged to practice abstinence instead of the birth control methods.
Works Cited
Levine, Phillip B. "The sexual activity and birth-control use of American teenagers." Risky behavior among youths: An economic analysis. University of Chicago Press, 2001. 167-218.
Martinez, Gladys, Joyce Abma, and Casey Copen. "Educating teenagers about sex in the United States." NCHS data brief 44 (2010): 1-8.
Martinez, Gladys, Casey E. Copen, and Joyce C. Abma. "Teenagers in the United States: sexual activity, contraceptive use, and childbearing, 2006-2010 national survey of family growth." Vital and health statistics. Series 23, Data from the National Survey of Family Growth 31 (2011): 1-35.
