Should Public School Students be Given Birth Control Pills?

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The question regarding whether or not public schools must offer birth control methods to teenagers remains controversial. There are those who are for birth control being provided in public school and those who are against it. This paper will describe two issues that prove that contraception should indeed be provided within public schools. The first reason is that most Americans support the idea that public schools must provide birth control methods to students. This is according to results obtained from several opinion polls. The second reason for contraceptive being given to teenagers, will help them avoid many dangerous Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) associated with having unsafe sexual practices. Studies have shown an increase with unprotected sex with teenagers can result in a wide-range of social problem, such as STDs. The topic of birth control in public schools has attracted much support from the American public from surveyed statistics. For example, a 2006 Associated Press-Ipsos survey discovered that 67% of Americans support the provision of contraceptives to students. This study also determined that, “About as many - 62 percent - said they believe providing birth control reduces the number of teenage pregnancies” (Associated Press). Such a huge percentage suggests that Americans are very concerned about the increasing cases of teen pregnancies and would eagerly adopt any method that has a possibility of reducing this problem. In addition, the subjects in the poll indicated that they believe that contraception usage in schools has the potential of reducing teenage pregnancies. Many American people support the view points, that schools should offer contraceptives to students in schools. This can really help minimize... ... middle of paper ... ...reduce teenage pregnancies which disrupt students’ lives. Moreover, contraceptives enable sexually-active students to avoid sex-related dangers such as STDs. Finally, despite the fact that contraceptive use by students attracts different reactions, birth control is necessary to students so as to prevent the numerous harmful effects that come from unsafe sexual practices. Works Cited “Birth Control at School? Most Say It's OK.” Cbsnews.com 1 Nov 2007. Online. 13 Dec 2009 < Dailard, Cynthia. “School-Based Health Centers and the Birth Control Debate”. The Guttmacher Report on Public Policy. 3. 5 (2000): 5-7. Online. 18 Dec. 2009 Fram, Alan. “Most in AP poll favor public schools providing birth control, though qualms remain” Goerie.com. Online. 13 Dec. 209 Press, Associated. “Study: Some Indianapolis Teens Have High STD Risk” Yahoo News. Online. 17 Dec. 2009

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