Herren, Kyle: Teens and Contraception

                  In the debate between a short term contraceptive and a long term contraceptive both of the articles support the long term contraceptive. The use of implants or intrauterine devices is a more effective way to prevent teen pregnancy and unwanted pregnancy. The problem occurs when the doctor suggests the use of intrauterine devices and the families do not believe that their daughter needs these. When they refuse, their child’s chances of getting pregnant increase dramatically. The combination of these two contraceptives offers the best protection against pregnancy. The numbers show that 42% of teens between the ages of 15 to 19 are using a type of contraceptive. Unfortunately, they are not using the best and most preventive forms of contraceptives. Most are just using condoms alone. The best combination of contraceptives is birth control pills or an intrauterine device and a condom. When used together, they reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy to virtually nothing. When a teenager gets pregnant, in 80% of cases the pregnancy is unintended. Teens are very inconsistent in their use of contraceptives. Teens tend to pick and choose when they use protection. If teens were more consistent in their use of contraceptives, the percent of unintended pregnancy and teen pregnancy would go down significantly. It is up to the parents to allow their kids to take birth control pills or use intrauterine devices to prevent unwanted pregnancies. When the parents acknowledge that their children are sexually active and allow them to take birth control pills in combination with using a condom the chances of the parents becoming grandparents are less likely, especially at the child’s premature age. With these precautions, the lives of parents and children would easier and safer in protection not only from pregnancy but STD’s as well. In conclusion, the articles support the use of contraceptives for not only adults but teens as well.