UK’s new solution to teen pregnancy: short-term sterilization
Britain’s public health minister Dawn Primarolo announced a new teen anti-pregnancy campaign February 6 that will in part fund “long-acting reversible contraceptives,” according to the Daily Mail. The options will be, according to DM:
Progesterone injection, effective up to 3 months
Intrauterine device (IUD), effective 5+ years
Progesterone implant, effective to 3 years
Intrauterine system (IUS), effective 5 years
For those unfamiliar with the IUS, it’s a cylinder implanted in the uterus containing timed-release progesterone.
Noted UK feminist Fay Weldon thinks this is a good idea. Writing in the DM February 15:
Last week, an intriguing proposition was mooted by Government minister Dawn Primarolo.
Teenage girls, she said, could be steered towards what is described as “long-term contraception.”…
In other words, there is a way of effectively sterilising girls for a lengthy period of time.
At what age? Well, doesn’t 12 until 17 sound rather sensible?…
This would have the advantage of bringing down the teenage pregnancy rate, so high in this country it makes us a disgrace among the nations – the worst offenders in Europe.
The abortion rate would fall sharply. And silly young girls could get on with the education that is meant to produce serious, responsible taxpayers, not benefit recipients.
Now, many people will see this modest proposal as little short of horrific – nothing less than state interference in our reproductive lives.
But think about it: it might not be such a bad idea….
So, in my view, there is little point any more in feeling shock-horror at the idea of mass sterilisation.
Watch for the “silly young girls” to remain “benefit recipients” for the HIV they contract instead of pregnancy.
Feministe (whose logo, right, always makes me smile, click to enlarge) blogger Jill opposes this proposal, although not for fear of increased deadly or incurable STDs among young feminists. She worries rather about the “deeply racist roots” of [f]orced and coerced sterilizations.”
I didn’t see the word “forced” anywhere, but how is government-funded long-term contraception any less coercive or have any shorter racist roots, than government-funded short-term contraception?
[HT: Anonymous Me and moderator Bethany; photo courtesy of the Daily Mail]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
About the quote of the day, wow that flight attendant is stupid. Even if she was trying to be sarcastic they still sound really stupid. Where have you been living under a rock?
The pin is what is so stupid.
I’m on the shot and it is awesome. Probably the only drawback is that without the estrogen I have to use more makeup in the morning ;)
But I think these things should be optional. I don’t know if the program involves forced contraceptive use but if it is it is a violation of sexual and reproductive rights.
Is this going to be OFFERED to young women or FORCED on them?
Watch for the “silly young girls” to remain “benefit recipients” for the HIV they contract instead of pregnancy.
lol, Jill you’re such a drama queen. Being on the shot or implant doesn’t compel girls to have high-risk sex.
I don’t know if you know this or not, but when two HIV-negative people have sex with each other, they don’t actually contract HIV. They don’t even have to be married to each other.
So what will be next? Surgically attached condoms?
This is ridiculous – you don’t treat an illness by masking the symptoms. The illness here is teen pregnancy and giving them the contraception isn’t going to make the problem go away; it will just create a new one. ugg….. I don’t understand the thought process on this one. Let’s also think about this: The STI’s that are gaining in numbers year after year are spread through skin contact which means condoms aren’t preventing those. How do the plan on preventing those?
This is now possible thanks to the development of contraceptive jabs and implants which can last up to five years.
The article keeps saying “up til” and as “long as”…but how do you know when a certain form of BC has run its course?
And yes, it does sound mandatory. Although it doesn’t appear to be being taken very seriously.
But notice this:
t seems that many of today’s girls just like being pregnant, and emotionally and physically – not just practically – have more to gain than lose if they are. Sex education hasn’t helped, and may indeed have harmed.
The Government says it has tried everything to stop pregnancy rates rising – from school matrons to a blizzard of sex education, to free condoms and morning-after pills.
And how is this for a**backwards logic:
We are moving into a science fiction age in which life itself can be created in a test tube, and it seems that, before long, perfect babies could be bred at will, largely free of hereditary disease and illness.
*
So, in my view, there is little point any more in feeling shock-horror at the idea of mass sterilisation.
*
Neither do I believe it will encourage “promiscuity” because girls will feel they have nothing to fear in sleeping around. In truth, they seem to be doing that already. I’m afraid we are now in a time when sex is mere recreational pleasure to thousands of young women.
“How do the plan on preventing those?”
They don’t but at least they won’t have to deal with those unsightly babies. *rolls eyes*
Gotta love this statement from the Daily Mail article:
“Doctors would probably be able to give underage girls the injections without consent from the parent, as they can the Pill. ”
About the quote of the day, I think it’s a good question. I have yet to meet a proabort who can name for me ONE woman who died from a self-induced abortion attempt using a coathanger. (Perhaps Weddington might name one, but it would be very hard for me to believe her since she persuaded Norma McCorvey to lie to the Supreme Court and tell them that she had been raped when they both knew that she had not.)
I have heard of one such death, but that attempt was committed AFTER Roe v. Wade…as did the majority of these deaths, all from “safe & legal” abortions:
Diane Adams, 28, died 1992
Eurice Agbagaa, 26, died 1989
Leigh Ann Alford, 34, died 2003
Demitrice Andews, 22, died 1988
Mickey Apodaca, 28, died 1984
Gloria Aponte, 20, died 1986
Charisse Ards, 20, died 1989
Barbara Auerbach, 38, died 1981
KB, age 19, died 1988
Jacqueline Bailey, 29, died 1977
Brenda Banks, 35, died 1989
Myrta Baptiste, 26, died 1989
Lisa Bardsley, 26, died 1995
Junette Barnes, 27, died 1988
Deanna Bell, 13, died 1992
Brenda Benton, 35, died 1987
Rosario Bermeo, 30, died 1983
Janet Blaum, 37, died 1974
Cassandra Bleavins, 20, died 1971
Linda Boom, 35, died 1995
Diane Boyd, 19, died 1981
Mary Bradley, 41, died 1985
Dorothy Brown, 37, died 1974
Chanelle Bryant, 22, died 2004
Dorothy Bryant, 22, died 1986
Belinda Byrd, 37, died 1987
Janeth Caldwell, 36, died 1987
Geneva Calton, 21, died 1979
Joan Camp, 22, died 1985
Marla Cardamone, 18, died 1989
Teresa Causey, 17, died 1988
Claudia Caventou, 33, died 1988
Patricia Chacon, 16, died 1984
Colleen Chambers, 34, died 1984
Sandra Chmiel, 35, died 1975
Gwendolyn Cliett, 29, died 1980
Margaret Clodfelter, 19, died 1980
Pamela Colson, 31, died 1994
Geneva Colton, 21, died 1979
Andrea Corey, 31, died 1993
Liliana Cortez, 22, died 1986
Edith Cote, 38, died 1991
Sheryl Cottone, 23, died 1981
Twila Coulter, 21, died 1972
Carol Cunningham, 21, died 1986
Betty Damato, 26, died 1980
Mary Ann Dancy, 32, died 1990
Angel Dardie, 22, died 1982
Barbaralee Davis, 18, died 1977
Glenda Davis, 31, died 1989
Kathy Davis, 26, died 1987
Margaret Davis, 33, died 1971
Sharon Davis, 17, died 1983
Marina DeChapel, 34, died 1978
Arlin dela Cruz, age 19, died 1992
Synthia Dennard, 24, died 1989
Alerte Desanges, 36, died 1994
Barbara Dillon, 22, died 1981
Jane Doe of Newark, 20, died 1993
Laniece Dorsey, 17, died 1986
Tamika Dowdy, 22, died 1998
Gwendolyn Drummer, 15, died 1972
Duarte, Anjelica, 21, died 1991
Evelyn Dudley, 38, died 1973
Sherry Emry, 26, died 1978
Georgianna English, 32, died 1980
Maureen Espinoza, 16, died 1997
Gladyss Estanlisao, 28, died 1989
Erna Fisher, 18, died 1988
Bonnie Fix, 38, died 1974
Sharon Floyd, 18, died 1975
Linda Fondren, 21, died 1974
Janet Forster, 18, died 1971
Cristella Forte, 16, died 1986
Glenna Jean Fox, 17, died 1989
Jammie Garcia, 14, died 1994
Josefina Garcia, died 1985
Marie Gibson, 34, died 1980
Christen Gilbert, 19, died 2005
Kathleen Gilbert, 29, died 1985
Christina Goesswein, 19, died 1990
Gaylene Golden, 21, died 1985
Maria Gomez, 39, died 1976
Edrica Goode, 21, died 2007
Shary Graham, 34, died 1982
Doris Grant, 32, died 1971
Debra Gray, 34, died 1989
Laura Grunas, 30, died 2006
Carolina Gutierrez, 21, died 1996
Angela Hall, 27, died 1991
Sharon Hamplton, 27, died 1996
Arneta Hardaway, 18, died 1985
Gracalynn “Tammy” Harris, 19, died 1997
Wilma Harris, 17, died 1974
L’Echelle Head, 21, died 2000
Sheila Hebert, 27, died 1984
Donna Heim, 20, died 1986
Lou Ann Herron, 33, died 1998
Moris Helen Herron, 26, died 1983
Rhonda Hess, 20, died 1982
Betty Hines, 21, died 1971
Shirley Hollis, 30, died 1991
Denise Holmes, 24, died 1970
Barbara Hoppert, 16, died 1983
Mary Ives, 28, died 1983
Karretu Jabbie, 24, died 1989
Louchrisser Jackson, 23, died 1977
Sandra Kaiser, 14, died 1984
Patricia King, 24, died 1987
Giselene Lafontant, 25, died 1993
Minnie Lathan, 41, died 1978
Barbara Lerner, 30, died 1981
Susan Levy, 30, died 1992
Cora Lewis, 23, died 1992
Sara Lint, 22, died 1970
Maria Lira, 19, ded 1974
Suzanne Logan, 34, died 1992
Diana Lopez, 25, died 2002
Linda Lovelace, 21, died 1980
Elva Lozada, died 1964
Deborah Lozinski, 17, died 1985
Dawn Mack, 21, died 1991
Michelle Madden, 18, died 1986
Sharon Margrove, 25, died 1970
Haley Mason, 22, died 2001
Gail Mazo, 27, died 1979
Sophie McCoy, 17, died 1990
Rita McDowell, 16, died 1975
Myria McFadden, 28, died 1987
Evangeline McKenna, 38, died 1974
Kathy McKnight, 36, died 1993
Kendra McLeod, 22, died 1998
Lynn McNair, 24, died 1979
Dawn Mendoza, 28, died 1988
Yvonne Mesteth, 18, died 1985
Natalie Meyers, 16, died 1972
Sandra Milton, 23, died 1990
Mitsue Mohar, 31, died 1975
Ruth Montero, 23, died 1979
Denise Montoya, 15, died 1988
Beverly Moore, 15, died 1975
Sylvia Moore, 18, died 1986
Christine Mora, 18, died 1994
Maura Morales, 25, died 1981
Shelby Moran, 60, died 1999
Katherine Morse, 20, died 1970
Kelly Morse, 32, died 1992
Loretta Morton, 16, died 1984
Kathy Murphy, 17, died 1973
Dorothy Muzorewa, 25, died 1974
Guadalupe Negron, 33, died 1993
Kimberly Neil, died 2000
Germaine Newman, 14, died 1984
Sara Niebel, 15, died 1994
Maria Ortega, 23, died 1970
Joyce Ortenzio, 32, died 1988
Venus Ortiz, 29, died 1998
Linda Padfield, 28, died 1973
Mary Ann Page, 36, died 1977
Mary Paredez, 26, died 1977
Holly Patterson, 18, died 2003
Shirley Payne, 33, died 1983
Mary Pena, 43, died 1984
DaNette Pergusson, 19, died 1992
Erika Peterson, 28, died 1961
Katherine Pierce, 27, died 1989
Katrina Poole, 16, died 1988
Yvette Poteat, 26, died 1985
Vanessa Preston, 22, died 1980
Dawn Ravenell, 13, died 1985
Jacqueline Reynolds, 22, died 1986
Erica Richardson, 16, died 1989
Luz Rodriguez, 40, died 1986
Magdalena Rodriguez, 23, died 1994
Rosael Rodriguez, 21, died 1986
Adelle Roe, age 26, died 2002
Amanda Roe, 19, died 1970
Alice Roe, 31, died 1970
Amy Roe, 35, died 1971
Annie Roe, 29, died 1971
Andrea Roe, 26, died 1971
Anita Roe, 23, died 1971
April Roe, 17, died 1971
Audrey Roe, 44, died 1971
Barbara Roe, 35, died 1971
Becky Roe, 18, died 1971
Beth Roe, 35, died 1971
Betty Roe, 29, died 1974
Beverly Roe, 21, died 1978
Brenda Roe, 31, died 1974
Cherish Roe, died 2005
Christi Roe, 29, died 1972
Cindy Roe, 25, died 1972
Colleen Roe, 31, died 1972
Connie Roe, 31, died 1972
Danielle Roe, 18, died 1972
Dawn Roe, 29, died 1972
Denise Roe, 27, died 1977
Donna Roe, 18, died 1973
Dorothy Roe, 44, died 1973
Eleanor Roe, 20, died 1973
Ellen Roe #1, 22, died 1974
Ellen Roe #2, 18, died 1983
Erica Roe, 20, died 1974
Faith Roe, 21, died 1974
Faye Roe, 18, died 1979
Gail Roe, 23, died 1975
Gloria Roe, 35, died 1976
Isabel Roe, died 1981
Judy Roe, 42, died 1970
Julie Roe, 14, died 1972
Kimberly Roe, 25, died 1970
Lori Roe, 17, died 1970
Malorie Roe, 35, died 1974
Mary Roe, 19, died 1971
Melissa Roe, 27, died 1992
Molly Roe, 21, died 1975
Monica Roe, 31, died 1971
Nadine Roe, 32, died 1978
Nancy Roe, 16, died 1972
Pamela Roe, 38, died 1974
Patricia Roe, 16, died 1975
Robin Roe, 21, died 1972
Roseanne Roe, 37, died 1971
Roxanne Roe, 17, died 1972
Sandra Roe, 18, died 1971
Sara Roe, 22, died 1972
Serena Roe, 22, died 1980
Sherri Roe, 20, died 1975
Sheryl Roe, 23, died 1970
Susan Roe, 21, died 1992
Tammy Roe, 33, died 1971
Tara Roe, died 2005
Teresa Roe, 19, died 1974
Terri Roe, 43, died 1991
Vanessa Roe, 35, died 1973
Vicki Roe, 23, died 1971
Wanda Roe, died 2006
Wendy Roe, 23, died 1972
Yvonne Roe, 19, died 1999
Julia Rogers, 20, died 1973
Rhonda Rollinson, 32, died 1992
Allegra Roseberry, 41, died 1988
Sharonda Rowe, 17, died 1981
Rhonda Ruggiero, 29, died 1982
Stacy Ruckman, 23, died 1988
LaSandra Russ, 20, died 1971
Tamia Russell, 15, doed 2004
F.S., 16, died 1970
Stella Saenz, 42, died 1968
Angela Sanchez, 27, died 1993
Angela Satterfield, 23, died 1990
Carole Schaner, 37, died 1971
Angela Scott, 19, died 1979
Oriene Shevin, 34, died 2005
Gloria Small, 43, died 1978
Deloris Smith, 15, died 1979
Diane Smith, 23, died 1976
Laura Hope Smith, 22, died 2007
Margaret Smith, 24, died 1971
Teresa Smith, 31, died 1988
Laura Sorrels, 30, died 1988
Kathryn Strong, 26, died 1972
Jennifer Suddeth, 17, died 1982
Tami Suematsu, 19, died 1988
Yvonne Tanner, 22, died 1984
Michelle Thames, 18, died 1987
Ingrid Thomas, 28, died 1994
Magnolia Thomas, 36, died 1986
Hoa Thuy “Vivian” Tran, 22, died 2003
Elizabeth Tsuji, 21, died 1978
Cheryl Tubbs, 29, died 1975
Iris Valazquez, 20, died 1987
Cycloria Vangates, 32, died 1976
Veal, Latachie, 17, died 1991
Brenda Vise, 38, died 2002
Cheryl Vosseler, 17, died 1969
Gail Vroman, 20, died 1979
Pamela Wainwright, 37, died 1987
Lynette Wallace, 22, died 1975
Debra Walton, 35, died 1989
Nicey Washington, 26, died 2000
Sheila Watley, 31, died 1987
Diane Watson, 27, died 1987
Ingar Weber, 28, died 1991
Robin Wells, 27, died 1981
Chivon Williams, died 1996
Ellen Williams, 38, died 1985
Nichole Williams, 22, died 1997
Sandra Williams, 30, died 1984
Shirley Williams, 30, died 1980
Tanya Williamson, 28, died 1996
Carole Wingo, 22, died 1974
Virginia Wolfe, 33, died 1998
Darlene Wood, 23, died 1982
Gail Wright, 29, died 1986
Stacy Zallie, 20, died 2002
…none of which, incidentally, involved coathangers; they were done, for the most part, using the medical instruments used for most of the illegal abortions in the few decades prior to Roe v. Wade. Those instruments have killed far more women than coathangers. The coathangers that have really done the most harm to women are the ones on buttons like this; convincing women that legal abortions are safe.
I’m waiting for Weddington and the other feminazis/proaborts to make honest (wo)men of themselves and put their coathangers back in their closets where they belong, and replace the coathanger images on their buttons with images of the real culprits: curettes, forceps,suction tubes, etc.
They would certainly do real women facing pregnancy crises more of a real service if they did that…which must be why they don’t. It’s not as though the evidence is that difficult to find…
I can’t help but be concerned that parents might force these contraceptives on girls.
I also feel that it increases the pressure on girls to have sex.
We know how these things are marketed. I am not against it for women who want it, but I think the marketing people will sell it as something cool and vulnerable girls won’t be told how dangerous sex can be for them.
Having birth control readily available does not, I repeat, does NOT increase pressure to have sex. Not only is this shown in statistics, but I know from personal experience.
Is the expression “getting pregnant” changing to “falling pregnant”? I see it written more and more.
Having birth control readily available does not, I repeat, does NOT increase pressure to have sex. Not only is this shown in statistics, but I know from personal experience.
So you’re a virgin, Leah?
Is the expression “getting pregnant” changing to “falling pregnant”? I see it written more and more.
Posted by: Janet at February 22, 2008 5:23 PM
……………..
Falling pregnant would be a British manner of speech. Jill is fond of posting articles from British rags of the sort merchandised at grocery store check out lines.
Sally,
Do you consider Reader’s Digest to be a British rag?
http://www.readersdigest.com.au/content/21118/
Leah –
“Having birth control readily available does not, I repeat, does NOT increase pressure to have sex. Not only is this shown in statistics, but I know from personal experience. ”
could you please direct us to these statistics? I have not seen any that say this. Unless you are talking about the “stats” that Planned Parenthood always releases with no research to back up their claim.
With the introduction of birth control for unwed mothers began the increase of unwanted pregnancy. This began the increase of STD’s and STI’s and also began the increase in abortion which decreased adoptions. Any chance you can explain that? You can go to the CDC to get year by year information on how all these have been increasing since birth control began to get handed out like candy.
From CBS news:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/19/health/main554665.shtml
“In an interview with CBSNews.com, Judith Steinhart, Senior Health Educator at Alice!, Columbia University?s Health Education Program, said it?s much more common than it used to be for teens to be sexually active with intercourse.
“One reason is years ago, when people had fewer contraceptive options, they were forced to have more creative sex lives. Intercourse was a last resort,” she told CBSNews.com. ”
And if you go to google and type in teen sex pressure you will find alot of information on the subject of teens being pressured into sex and that contraception play a role in it. Of course, if the article is about a NARAL or PP study they will say that there isn’t enough contraception and more needs to be distributed – and if you read all these reports from top to bottom you will see that these “studies” just breaze by the fact that many girls are forced to have sex when the boy finds out she is on the pill. Especially when alcohol is in the picture.
these deaths, all from “safe & legal” abortions:
Diane Adams, 28, died 1992…..
Well, JT, good thing you’re not posting a similar list of women who died from “safe & legal” continuance of pregnancy and giving birth.
It’d be about 8,200 names long.
Okay.
In the United States, while birth control is available to people, it is always at a price, and without insurance coverage the price of b/c can be $40-50 for the Pill. Here are stats on teen pregnancy rates in the States:
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/14TeenPregnancy.cfm
In Canada, condoms are often made readily available to high school students for free, and provincial health plans cover the cost of the Pill. Here are stats on teen pregnancy in Canada:
http://cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/CNSMCGI.PGM
In the Netherlands, the Pill is free for high school students. Here is an article regarding sexual activity of Dutch teens:
http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/apprend2.htm
There’s more I could come up with (non from Planned Parenthood, because–seeing as I view stuff like Priests for Life, etc, as biased sources, I realize that you see stuff from PP as biased).I don’t particularly want to dig it up, but I can if you really really want me to.
If teens have the option of long-term contraception versus much shorter-term and more hit-and-miss methods, then it sure sounds good to me.
If somebody wants to have kids and is ready for it, okay, but that is not true for so many teens…..
Doug
Leah,
The following link shows that 85 of 129 pregnancies were to adults 18 or older. I don’t think that adults becoming parents is a big social ill.
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/14TeenPregnancy.cfm
The following Canada link does not work.
http://cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/CNSMCGI.PGM
The Dutch story is a newspaper article that picks out data from some UNESCO report and there is no link to the report itself, so it is basically the reporter’s point of view.
http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/apprend2.htm
This might have been covered already, but has anyone pointed out that IUD’s should only be used in women who have already had children and the subdural implants have been shown to have huge side-effects? Don’t even get me started on the “shot”.
Most of these aren’t good birth control measures for anyone let alone young teenagers.
Regardless of the sub-par birth control, the idea of sterilizing young people is just frightening. It seems to me that it would be inching closer to a society in which we would need government approval to have children. If it is voluntary it isn’t as scary, but these measures still seem a bit excessive.
Leah,
According to the following link, 85 of 129 pregnancies were adult women 18 or older. I don’t think adults becoming parents constitutes a social ill.
http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/indicators/14TeenPregnancy.cfm
Canada link doesn’t work
http://cansim2.statcan.ca/cgi-win/CNSMCGI.PGM
The Dutch article is a news story based on a UNESCO report. No link to the actual report or data is given. It basically reflects the opinion of the reporter.
http://www.unesco.org/courier/2000_07/uk/apprend2.htm
If somebody wants to have kids and is ready for it, okay, but that is not true for so many teens…..
Doug
Posted by: Doug at February 22, 2008 10:54 PM
How about all the teens who were drafted to fight and die in the military? Were they all ready?
Regardless of the sub-par birth control, the idea of sterilizing young people is just frightening. It seems to me that it would be inching closer to a society in which we would need government approval to have children. If it is voluntary it isn’t as scary, but these measures still seem a bit excessive.
Posted by: Lauren at February 23, 2008 11:23 AM
Notice how these measures target young women not men.
SEXISM !
Expecting a young woman to get an IUD who isn’t asking for it is sick. Google up the process for fitting an IUD and you will find women complaining that it is pretty painful. Even more so for young women who haven’t given birth. Plus, have these methods even been tested or approved for use in teens?
Anon blame the pharmeceutical industry for never bothering to make much birth control options for men.
PIP:
Thank heavens those new male BC options are slowly making their way to market. Can’t wait. :D
“It seems to me that it would be inching closer to a society in which we would need government approval to have children. If it is voluntary it isn’t as scary, but these measures still seem a bit excessive.”
You know what’s interesting? It is very difficult for parents to adopt children. If agencies/the government are going to be so anal about who adopts kids, I think it’s only fair to make them as strict about who gets to birth ’em.
That may keep people who are likely to be come abusive and treat their kids like material objects. Now I’m not talking eugenics ie not letting people w/ disabilities be barred from having wee post-fetuses, I am talking about arse-hat parents who parade their kids around like they’re mere accessories or beat their kids or let their kids do what-ever-they-please and letting them turn into disrespectful little hellions.
What I don’t get is the hysteria over teen pregnancy for women who are legal adults.
85 per 1000 18-19 year olds. I mean that is only 8.5%.
What is an acceptable percentage to those who think this number is too high?
Since before time, 18 years of age has always been considered plenty old enough to do all things adult including become parents. If we consider that teens today are probably more educated than at any other time in history why do we also believe that this same age group is no longer competent to parent? It is totally illogical.
Lyssie, me neither!
I wonder what the consensus on this site is about male birth control, seeing as how with the methods they’re developing, either sperm will not be formed, or will be held in the male’s reproductive tract and not expelled. Then the concept of “wasting seed” in the passage about Onan is rendered moot, since there won’t be any to waste…plus there’s a vastly reduced chance of any embryo forming, and no theoretical rejection of the fertilized egg on the endometrium in the woman (unless she’s using BC too, and again, it’s only theoretical). Very interesting to think about.
“If somebody wants to have kids and is ready for it, okay, but that is not true for so many teens…..”
Anon: How about all the teens who were drafted to fight and die in the military? Were they all ready?
Good question – I’d say no. Because of course almost none of them wanted to die, and because at age 18,19, etc., some of them are “not ready to fight” IMO.
However, what is your point?
If we’re talking about drafting soldiers, would you force teens to have kids?
@@
Since before time, 18 years of age has always been considered plenty old enough to do all things adult including become parents. If we consider that teens today are probably more educated than at any other time in history why do we also believe that this same age group is no longer competent to parent? It is totally illogical.
Hippie, good point about it being less than 10% of 18-19 year olds. Certainly not an “epidemic.”
I’m not saying that a given teen won’t be a competent parent. And of course a given 30 or 40 year old might not be, despite their age.
At 18 or 19 a person hasn’t had much if any time to live on their own as an adult, something I think is valuable, however. I also realize it’s not for everybody.
Doug
Lyssie – male birth control, fine and dandy. Better safe than sorry, and if a male option is available (better than condoms), then it’s less on the woman.
Doug
If we’re talking about drafting soldiers, would you force teens to have kids?
@@
No “forcing” necessary, Doug. Nature takes care of that.
If they’re old enough to have sex and become pregnant, they’re old enough to carry the baby to term.
Since before time, 18 years of age has always been considered plenty old enough to do all things adult including become parents. If we consider that teens today are probably more educated than at any other time in history why do we also believe that this same age group is no longer competent to parent? It is totally illogical.
I agree, Hippie. (and I was an 18 year old when I became pregnant with my first child, too.)
I agree, it’s completely illogical to expect them to be “adults” in one sense, but not another.
“If we’re talking about drafting soldiers, would you force teens to have kids?
@@”
Bethany: No “forcing” necessary, Doug. Nature takes care of that.
Heck too – the point was made about 18 and 19 year olds not really being “ready to fight.” Not every pregnant teen is ready to be a parent.
……
If they’re old enough to have sex and become pregnant, they’re old enough to carry the baby to term.
Even looking at it biologically, the answer there is maybe and maybe not. And of course it’s not just a matter of biology, it’s what the pregnant girl wants.