Should Birth Control Be Over-The-Counter Analysis

Should Birth Control be Over-the-Counter? There are many different views on if birth control should be over-the-counter or not. Some say they do not want it to be over-the-counter because it dishonors marriage, it would cause more abortions, and it would cause more health risks. On the other hand, others believe over-the-counter birth control would be beneficial; reasons being that it would be more affordable, it could help reduce HIV/AIDS, it would reduce the number of abortions, and the privacy of women would be protected. All of these reasons lead up to the question, should birth control be over-the-counter? In John Shea’s article “Birth Control Results in More Abortions,” he argues that “contraception has not only led to a greater number of abortions, but has also resulted in an increase in sexually transmitted infections and promiscuity” (Shea, paragraph 1). He goes on to explain how more women who are on the pill have sex because they think it will 100% protect them from getting pregnant. A great number of women still get pregnant while on the pill, which results in more abortions. The author points out that, “Using the oral contraceptive before the first child is born causes a 40% increase in the risk of breast cancer. Taking it for four

One of them being, it would make being on the pill more affordable. Women would no longer have to pay those pesky doctor bills just for discussing the different types of pills and which one would suit them best. William Saletan shares his views on over-the-counter birth control in his article “Birth Control Results in Fewer Abortions”. He contends that medical technology has led to such improvements in contraception that fewer abortions are being performed. “Contraceptive use rose 11% from 1982 to 2002 and during this period the abortion rate dropped by about 30%” (Saletan, paragraph