The topic of sexual awareness is one that has become increasingly important in today's society. Every day, more and more adolescents are engaging in sexual activities without knowing some of the risks that come along with having both unprotected and protected sex.
In the article written by Milly Dawson, she mentions that condoms, patches, and birth control pills all are more formally accepted by both the teenager and the parent. However, studies have shown that these contraceptive methods are much less effective than the use of intrauterine devices, or IUDs. IUDs are not commonly accepted today in the United States due to their history that includes the Dalkon Shield, a product that caused many health issues.
Another valid point brought to mind in Charles Bankhead’s article is that IUDs give the impression that the adolescent is being rather promiscuous. Parents are torn by the decision of allowing their daughters use IUDs. They provide the assurance of knowing that adolescents involved are fairly well protected from the dangers of intercourse, but they also seem to open a door to a more sexually active lifestyle.
It is a choice that ultimately a sexually active person has to make. Regardless of what parents believe or what history has shown, some form of contraceptive is always better than none at all. Even though the parents can’t choose for their children, it is still their responsibility to teach what contraceptives are, their side-effects, and the inevitable risks of unprotected sex. The amount of teenage pregnancies has skyrocketed in the U.S., along with the amount of STDs that are being transmitted. The facts speak for themselves: IUDs are the most effective in both of these areas. Therefore, it seems parents will have to take the risk of allowing their daughters to utilize IUDs to protect them and their sexual partners adequately.
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