Plunk, Ashley: Teens and Contraception

In both articles, the authors were trying to convey a different, yet similar, message. While both were about the use of birth control, they had two separate views on the subject. The first author wrote about parents' preference of certain types of birth control that are not the most effective, while the second author chose to write about how IUDs are the best type of birth control.

    The first article hits one main point, that parents are more accepting of birth control and condoms being given to their daughters during doctor visits rather than them being offered a more effective contraceptive method like IUDs or implants. Out of 261 parents polled, only 18% of them said they would allow their daughters to use IUDs. The more parents are able to recognize their teens’ freedom, the more accepting they are of what type of birth control they use. The more educated parents become on the subject of birth control, the more likely they are to allow their teenage daughters to be provided with the best type of birth control to help lower teen pregnancy rates.

    The second article argues that IUDs and implants are the best form of teen birth control. According to an updated clinical opinion from the ACOG, IUDs are the best protection against unintended pregnancy among adolescents. Even though most teenagers prefer short-acting methods such as the pill or condoms, they have much lower adherence and higher pregnancy rates. Long-acting reversible options account for less than five percent of all birth control use. In 2007, it was estimated that 42% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 were sexually active. Out of all of those, the most effective method of birth control is rarely chosen. Gynecologists are now recommending long-acting reversible contraceptive methods and educating teens and their parents on their effectiveness. One of the biggest things the author put in this article was that clinics have all of this information available and to just go ask questions if you have them.

    Both authors made good, effective points in their articles. Teens and their parents definitely need to be better educated on the subject of birth control and what kind is the best for their child. With teen pregnancy rates increasing every year, this kind of information needs to be out in the open and available for everybody.