SAU Honors College

The SAU Honors College was founded in 2003 by Dr. David Rankin, president of SAU. Dr. Lynne Belcher served as founding director and is retired from SAU. The Honors College seeks and admits qualified students who seek to pursue a serious academic program with equally gifted peers and committed teachers. Honors classes are small and provide academically enriching opportunities for students and the faculty who teach them. Currently, SAU enrolls nearly 170 honors students and graduates about 66% of admitees in four years or less. Anyone interested in applying to the Honors College or seeking further information should contact the director, Dr. Edward P. Kardas at epkardas@saumag.edu or at 870 904-8897.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

O'Hara, Casey: Teens and Contraception


Over the last few decades pregnancy rates especially among teens have been increasing. As these numbers continue to rise, so has the want for contraceptives. Users of these contraceptives need to be informed, and the contraceptives need to be convenient and also effective.
One of the best ways to protect against unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases is to stay informed. Although sex is a touchy subject for many parents, those who do talk to their children about it are more likely to not end up with a “sperm infection.” Although parents may not wish to know every small detail of their teen’s sexual relationship, an informed parent is better than one who knows nothing. Parents hold an influence over a teen’s accessibility to contraception. Parents usually hold control over a teen’s income, mobility, and accessibility to people, places, and things. Parents are more likely to help provide contraception for their teens if properly informed. After all, one cannot protect against something unknown. In a study, parents were asked if they would provide contraception for their teens. The majority of these said they would help provide various methods of contraception. Therefore, if teens and parents would break through the “awkward” barrier of the sex talk, more contraception could be properly used and the spiking teen pregnancy rate may soon decrease.
Once the ground for contraceptive use is established, it is up to the people to decide which to use. Contraceptives actually used, compared to those more recommended by specialists, differ. Specialists tend to recommend Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) for the most effective protection. However, people choose other, easier options for multiple reasons. For one, IUDs are a long-lasting contraceptive. This is not popular among parents, as a long-term contraceptive brings to mind a long-term sexual relationship; and many parents do not want to think of their children in such a situation. Second, IUDs are much more expensive than a single-use contraceptive, such as a condom. Users also need to pay for insurance, which adds to the cost of the device. This drives those of a lower-income because, although they are the ones who are most frivolous in sexual experimentation, they cannot afford the protection with the lowest failure rate. Lastly, IUDs carry with them the reputation for infection something no one wants.

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