emergency contraception

anonsouthernbell

Someone posted this on another forum that I frequent and I was wondering what your thoughts are:

 

For those of you who support access to the morning after pill, what are your thoughts on this: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/24/morningafter-pills-availa_n_1908913.html

I certainly understand and respect that many people are opposed to this pill under any circumstances. But I am wondering, for those who want it to be available, how do you feel about the parental consent issue? 

anonsouthernbell

Personally, I have a problem with the schools distributing it. I wouldn't have as much of a problem if it was available from the city health dept or through Planned Parenthood. Kids are resourceful. If they wanted it, I don't think that they would have a problem getting a ride or taking the bus to either place.

mrs. remy

I am with you, I am all for access to birth control (and Plan . I just don't think it is the school's place to provide it.

SarahKate31

It does seem like school is not really the place for this. I am all for it being available at the health dept or where ever. Also, I think you need to be 17 to get it at the pharmacy so it doesn't seem right that now 14 year olds would be able to get it at school. The same age restrictions should apply everywhere it's distributed.

KathrynMD

I want less underage/teen pregnancies, period - so while I'm not really "in favor" of giving out Plan B in schools, I'd rather have it available there to teenagers than not at all. 

I've had to get Plan B as a grown, married ADULT and I felt self conscious going into my local Giant to get it (and sometime they don't stock it - or the pharmacy closed on the day you go).  If giving it out at schools make it easier/more accessible for teenagers, I'm all for it. 

KathrynMD

SarahKate31:

It does seem like school is not really the place for this. I am all for it being available at the health dept or where ever. Also, I think you need to be 17 to get it at the pharmacy so it doesn't seem right that now 14 year olds would be able to get it at school. The same age restrictions should apply everywhere it's distributed.

The age restrictions on Plan B are really just a way of appeasing right wing/anti-choice advocates; there's not health related reason to impose an age restriction.  Its just another way of making it harder for women to access birth control.

MereMM7

KathrynMD:

SarahKate31:

It does seem like school is not really the place for this. I am all for it being available at the health dept or where ever. Also, I think you need to be 17 to get it at the pharmacy so it doesn't seem right that now 14 year olds would be able to get it at school. The same age restrictions should apply everywhere it's distributed.

The age restrictions on Plan B are really just a way of appeasing right wing/anti-choice advocates; there's not health related reason to impose an age restriction.  Its just another way of making it harder for women to access birth control.

 

I agree with the above. I was in class last night and we were actually having this discussion. Our instructor works in a wellness center (school) and mentioned how it would benefit the students to have access to this.  The US has an alarmingly high rate of teen pregnancies, I think whatever we can do to help these teens get the resources they need to prevent a pregnancy should be done. The thing is, kids are having sex, these kids are also not taking precautions against pregnancy all the time.  Unless they have transportation, or $50 (cost of plan b), or a consenting adult to get them plan b, they are increasing their risk of pregnancy.  We need to open our eyes and realize the kids that are having sex are going to have sex, we also need to provide them with information about plan b and birth control, even if that is in school.  I rather have my hypothetical daughter get plan B from school then an abortion at planned parenthood, or pregnant at 15!!! Hell.....I say we implant them all with Mirena at 13!!! J/k....sorta! 

SnoopyLuv

MereMM7:

I agree with the above. I was in class last night and we were actually having this discussion. Our instructor works in a wellness center (school) and mentioned how it would benefit the students to have access to this.  The US has an alarmingly high rate of teen pregnancies, I think whatever we can do to help these teens get the resources they need to prevent a pregnancy should be done. The thing is, kids are having sex, these kids are also not taking precautions against pregnancy all the time.  Unless they have transportation, or $50 (cost of plan b), or a consenting adult to get them plan b, they are increasing their risk of pregnancy.  We need to open our eyes and realize the kids that are having sex are going to have sex, we also need to provide them with information about plan b and birth control, even if that is in school.  I rather have my hypothetical daughter get plan B from school then an abortion at planned parenthood, or pregnant at 15!!! Hell.....I say we implant them all with Mirena at 13!!! J/k....sorta! 

 

I wish more parents thought like that. I was reading an article that ACOG is now updating their info to give IUD's to unmarried, younger women. I think if all teenagers were given access to longer term BC methods it'd be better for everyone. Unfortunately, STI's will probably increase but I think a case of chlamydia is much preferable to a baby at 15. 

anonsouthernbell

For those that support its distribution in the schools would you be okay with it being distributed in middle school?

mrs. remy

I don't know, I hear everyone's points, and they are all valid. Yes teen pregnancy is a problem and obviously anything we can do to prevent it is a good thing. I still have the belief that school is for learning and it is not the school's place to provide birth control. Heck if the schools want to plaster the walls with flyers saying "hey kids....need Plan B? you can get it here at no cost to you (insert clinic address)!" I would be fine with that. I'm all about education. Just really feel that school is over-reaching its role here.

KathrynMD

anonsouthernbell:

For those that support its distribution in the schools would you be okay with it being distributed in middle school?

Given the options of a 13 yo having a baby/having an abortion (legal or illegal) vs. Plan B, I'd vote Plan B. If it results in less teen pregnancy, I support it.

KathrynMD

mrs. remy:

I don't know, I hear everyone's points, and they are all valid. Yes teen pregnancy is a problem and obviously anything we can do to prevent it is a good thing. I still have the belief that school is for learning and it is not the school's place to provide birth control. Heck if the schools want to plaster the walls with flyers saying "hey kids....need Plan B? you can get it here at no cost to you (insert clinic address)!" I would be fine with that. I'm all about education. Just really feel that school is over-reaching its role here.

I hear ya, but the horse is already out of the barn on this one.  They provide free lunch/free breakfast for low income kids, many schools provide access to social services for the family and kid, etc.  They provide these wrap around services because they ultimately affect teh kids academic achievement. 

mrs. remy

KathrynMD:

mrs. remy:

I don't know, I hear everyone's points, and they are all valid. Yes teen pregnancy is a problem and obviously anything we can do to prevent it is a good thing. I still have the belief that school is for learning and it is not the school's place to provide birth control. Heck if the schools want to plaster the walls with flyers saying "hey kids....need Plan B? you can get it here at no cost to you (insert clinic address)!" I would be fine with that. I'm all about education. Just really feel that school is over-reaching its role here.

I hear ya, but the horse is already out of the barn on this one.  They provide free lunch/free breakfast for low income kids, many schools provide access to social services for the family and kid, etc.  They provide these wrap around services because they ultimately affect teh kids academic achievement. 

Yup, that is true. Schools do provide some of those things. so where do we draw the line? at what point do certain things cease to be the parents' responsibility and become the burden of the schools? (Not trying to argue with you Kathryn-its just an interesting discussion and I am interested in hearing all different arguments)

KathrynMD

mrs. remy:

KathrynMD:

mrs. remy:

I don't know, I hear everyone's points, and they are all valid. Yes teen pregnancy is a problem and obviously anything we can do to prevent it is a good thing. I still have the belief that school is for learning and it is not the school's place to provide birth control. Heck if the schools want to plaster the walls with flyers saying "hey kids....need Plan B? you can get it here at no cost to you (insert clinic address)!" I would be fine with that. I'm all about education. Just really feel that school is over-reaching its role here.

I hear ya, but the horse is already out of the barn on this one.  They provide free lunch/free breakfast for low income kids, many schools provide access to social services for the family and kid, etc.  They provide these wrap around services because they ultimately affect teh kids academic achievement. 

Yup, that is true. Schools do provide some of those things. so where do we draw the line? at what point do certain things cease to be the parents' responsibility and become the burden of the schools? (Not trying to argue with you Kathryn-its just an interesting discussion and I am interested in hearing all different arguments)

I agree its shetty parents don't do those things and its shetty that 13/14/15 are sexually active - but its a reality frankly. And, IMO the cost of not doing anything about those problems and just saying "but the parents should do it" etc. just punishes all of us ultimately - i.e. a girl who has a baby at 14/15 (or even 16/17) is less likely to go to college or even get a low wage job, get married, pay taxes, etc. And, guess who ends up paying for her kids healthcare, extended social services, etc. Whether "we" as taxpayers/society pay now or later, we're going to pay. The question to me is whether we pay for her help before she has a baby and brings another party into thsi problem.

SarahKate31

KathrynMD:

SarahKate31:

It does seem like school is not really the place for this. I am all for it being available at the health dept or where ever. Also, I think you need to be 17 to get it at the pharmacy so it doesn't seem right that now 14 year olds would be able to get it at school. The same age restrictions should apply everywhere it's distributed.

The age restrictions on Plan B are really just a way of appeasing right wing/anti-choice advocates; there's not health related reason to impose an age restriction.  Its just another way of making it harder for women to access birth control.

I'm just saying if there's going to be an age restriction, it should be consistent across the board, regardless of the motivation behind the restriction in the first place.

madladybride

I'm with Kathryn - she summed up my views succinctly. remy, I think that schools can offer it without necessarily advertising it. Mention it in every health/gym class as one of a number of services that the school offers. Word will get around.

KathrynMD

SarahKate31:

KathrynMD:

SarahKate31:

It does seem like school is not really the place for this. I am all for it being available at the health dept or where ever. Also, I think you need to be 17 to get it at the pharmacy so it doesn't seem right that now 14 year olds would be able to get it at school. The same age restrictions should apply everywhere it's distributed.

The age restrictions on Plan B are really just a way of appeasing right wing/anti-choice advocates; there's not health related reason to impose an age restriction.  Its just another way of making it harder for women to access birth control.

I'm just saying if there's going to be an age restriction, it should be consistent across the board, regardless of the motivation behind the restriction in the first place.

There shouldnt' be any age restrictions on access though. 

anonsouthernbell

mrs. remy:

I don't know, I hear everyone's points, and they are all valid. Yes teen pregnancy is a problem and obviously anything we can do to prevent it is a good thing. I still have the belief that school is for learning and it is not the school's place to provide birth control. Heck if the schools want to plaster the walls with flyers saying "hey kids....need Plan B? you can get it here at no cost to you (insert clinic address)!" I would be fine with that. I'm all about education. Just really feel that school is over-reaching its role here.

thatis me too