Boyter, Lauren: Teens and Contraception

                  Birth control methods have become increasingly important over the last few years due to individuals becoming sexually active earlier in life.  Milly Dawson and Charles Bankhead each wrote articles pertaining to using birth controls, with emphasis placed on intrauterine devices (IUDs).  Dawson’s article says the IUDs are less likely to be used because of misconceptions, whereas Bankhead’s article claims IUDs should be used because of their superior protection against unplanned pregnancies.

In Dawson’s article stated that parents may not be accepting of their teenager being offered birth control because the parents are in denial of their child being sexually active. If the parent would come to terms and accept that his or her child was sexually active, the child could get a proper birth control method.  In a phone study cited in the article, parents were least likely to use IUDs among the various methods of birth control offered.  Intrauterine devices are not accepted by parents for two potential reasons. First, the use of a long-term birth control allows parents to believe their child will be having a long-term sexual relationship.  Second, because of memories of the Dalkon shield and its effects, these parents are believed to shun IUDs as a form of contraception.

Charles Bankhead has a firm view on the use of IUDs.  Compared to the failure rate of other birth control methods, IUDs account for very few failures; however, they are the least used method of contraception.  Intrauterine devices were deemed more likely to be continued in a study conducted of short-term methods versus long-term methods of birth control.  Unplanned pregnancies could be prevented if the users of birth control used them consistently and correctly, which is something users of IUDs don’t have to worry about because they don’t have to remember to use it.  Bankhead has a definite outlook on the use of IUDs and their high success rates.

Although Bankhead and Dawson’s articles do not convey the same outlook on the use of IUDs, it is apparent birth control methods should be utilized more often than they are.  Whether parents choose to acknowledge the sexual activity of their child or not, the parent should still willingly accept the various forms of birth control.  If birth control was used more effectively, it would eliminate many unplanned pregnancies.