The Controversy Surrounding Oral Contraception

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The combined oral contraceptive pill was invented in the 1950s. During the first ten years of its existence it remained a purchasable method of contraception. This was until the 1960s as the Ministry of Health then permitted doctors to prescribe the drug if they sought necessary courtesy of the National Health Service. From then, the popularity of the pill had risen tremendously and by the late 1960s over 15% of married British women were using the pill. Its rapid popularity was not restricted to the United Kingdom as at the same time 2% of the female population worldwide relied on the pill as birth control. These figures continued to rise, and after the 1970s the pill in Britain became a dominant method of contraception (Marks, V, L, 2001). Margaret Sanger, a birth control activist described the pill as an offering of female liberation which explains its rapid popularity. Previous to the pill contraception was very different, common methods to avoid pregnancy consisted of coitus interruptus, abstinence or even abortion. The pill liberated women because it took away the risk factor and worries of continuous reproduction could be forgotten. Women could enjoy sexual relationships without the gamble of unwanted pregnancies. They could for the first time, plan ahead with confidence and not consider the chances of falling pregnant. Having control over their fertility gave women a sense of relief, freedom and power over their bodies (Marks, V, L, 2001). The pill has become an integrated and normal part of life for many women, and is now used by over one hundred million worldwide (Net Doctor 2011). Despite its normality in modern day society, it has continued to be a subject of much interest and debate. It is the most researched ... ... middle of paper ... ...and London Net Doctor (2011) Contraception The Contraceptive Pill [online] available: assessed: 07/02/2012 Paton G (2010) Huge rise in 11 year olds on the pill in The Telegraph [online] available: assessed: 10/02/2012 The Christian Institute (2001) Promoting Promiscuity The Morning After Pill [online] available: < http://www.christian.org.uk/wp-content/downloads/promoting-promiscuity-summary.pdf> assessed : 09/02/2010 Women’s Views on News (2010) more teenagers on contraceptive pill sexualisation of teenagers or awareness of safe sex [online] available: < http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2010/08/more-teenagers-on-contraceptive-pill-sexualisation-of-teenagers-or-awareness-of-safe-sex> assessed: 07/02/2010

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