The problem of youth pregnancy has been bedevilling the American society for a long time. Official statistics reveal that the US has the highest number of teen pregnancies in the western industrialized world (Manlove, Ryan & Franzetta 246). Data received from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (NCPT) shows that 34 percent of young girls in the US are impregnated at least once before attaining the age of 20. Accordingly, around 79 percent of these pregnancies occur to unmarried teens (Family First Aid para. 2). Such revelations raise arguments on whether the contraceptive devices should be accessible to the teenagers. It is the purpose of this paper to underscore why teenagers should be given the opportunity to use contraceptives.
Some Americans argue that availing information regarding contraceptive devices to the youth encourages sexual activity. However, according to Kahn, Brindis, & Glei, “…contraceptive availability neither encourages the initiation of sexual activity nor increases the frequency of intercourse among teenagers” (29). Indeed, contraceptives have become more of a moderating influence on the occurrence of teenage pregnancies in the last few decades. Therefore, giving access to contraceptives is crucial for adolescents as many find themselves hard-pressed to make difficult decisions between parenthood, adoption or abortion in the absence of birth control devices.
According to NCPT, “the sons of teen mothers are 13 percent more likely to end up in prison while teen daughters are 22 percent more likely to become teen mothers themselves” (Family first Aid para 7). This is a dangerous precedence to set as it increases social vices and crime. Teenage parents may lack the resources needed in the upbringing of children. As such, they may end up raising the children in dysfunctional families and in situations that tolerates moral decadence. Such a situation can be prevented from happening through responsible use of the birth control devices.
The Results of a 2006 research conducted by Dr. John Santelli revealed that “…decline in US teen pregnancy rates has resulted from improved contraceptive use, while a small proportion can be attributed to teens waiting longer to start having sex” (Contraception more Effective para. 1). This particular research also revealed that promotion of abstinence as a way of curtailing teenage pregnancy is insufficient. These findings point to the importance of contraceptives in solving the problem of teenage pregnancy in the US. In this perspective, the solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancies can be achieved through educating the youth on the proper use of contraceptives rather than hiding under the cover of religious, ethical or cultural dogmas.
Thus, objective and accurate information on the contraceptives should be given to the teenagers if the objective is to prevent unwanted pregnancies and transmission of STD’s. According to Shoupe & Kjos, “adolescents choosing to begin or to continue engaging in sexual activity should be given up-to-date information regarding condom and other contraceptive choices” (238). If contraceptives are made available to the teenagers, this will hardly encourage their sexual activity much, but it will definitely reduce the number of instances of unwanted pregnancies.
Works Cited
Contraception more Effective than Abstinence. 2006. Web.
Family First Aid. Teen Pregnancy, Stats, Facts, and Prevention. 2004. Web.
Kahn, J.G., Brindis, C.D., & Glei, D.A. Pregnancies Averted among US Teenagers by the use of contraceptives. Family Planning Perspectives, 1999, 31(1): 21-34.
Manlove, J., Ryan, S., & Franzetta, K. Patterns of contraceptive use within Teenagers’ First Sexual Relationship. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2003, 35(6): 246-255.
Shoupe, D., & Kjos, S.L. The Handbook of Contraceptives: A Guide for Practical Management. Humana Press. 2006. ISBN: 9781588295996.