Should Teens Be Allowed To Obtain Birth Control

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Many individuals strongly advocate that teenage girls, ages thirteen through eighteen, should not be able to obtain birth control without parental consent. Others believe that it is a right for adolescents to be able to access contraceptives whenever they deem necessary. Birth control pills and other forms of birth control, such as an IUD or a Depo-Provera shot, need to be obtainable by young women without parental notification. Allowing these contraceptives to be acquired without parents being notified prevents judgment, maintains confidentiality, treats menstrual-related side effects, and promotes safety. Teenage girls, between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, should be able to maintain birth control without parental consent. According …show more content…

ACLU.org states, “The court concluded in the case, Carey v. Population Services International, “” the right to privacy in connection with decisions affecting procreation extends to minors as well as adults”” (ACLU.org). Some teenage girls do not want their parents aware they are partaking in the use of contraceptives. The reasons vary, but the right to privacy should be honored either way. Many individuals believe that a teen has no right to confidentiality since they are under the age of eighteen. However, the Supreme Court case, Planned Parenthood Association v Matheson, declared, ““the state may not impose a blanket parental notification requirement on minors seeking to exercise their constitutionally protected right…”” (ACLU.org). Another conflicting argument that arises is that teens cannot sign for prescriptions. This issue can be avoided by going to clinic or health department. Age should not be a reason for one’s right to privacy to be violated in regards to birth …show more content…

The Guttmacher Institute reports that, “58% of all pill users rely on the method at least in part, for purposes other than pregnancy prevention—meaning that only 42% use the pill exclusively for contraceptive reasons” (Wind). Some females are plagued with intolerable menstrual cramps or intermittent periods, which can often be a nuisance. Oral contraceptives can assist with both issues. Other methods, such as an IUD or the birth control patch, are effective in treating menstrual-related disorders. These disorders include, but are not limited to endometriosis and Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Despite this information, some individuals believe that birth control should not be used for the treatment of side effects or to cope with a disorder. However, doctors prescribe these contraceptives since they are more effective in treating the symptom or disorder along with other menstrual-related ailments, thus making them versatile. Many infirmities that are caused by menstruation could be eased by allowing birth control to be obtainable by female

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