Plan B Available to All
Growing up in a city where teenage pregnancy was so common that our high schools have an onsite daycare and early childhood education program/classes, we know just how important the availability of emergency contraceptives (morning-after pills) like Plan B could be. Many young girls wouldn't be struggling with juggling single parenthood, school, and part-time jobs, or dealing with the impact of abortion, either emotionally, physically, spiritually, or socially (the stigma, the rumors, and the peer judgement).
We also see the need for better sex education. We believe that's the solution, not the availability of the morning-after pill to girls younger than 18 years old. We don't like the irresponsibility of women and men who fail to use protection during intercourse when it's easily accessible. We especially don't like the irresponsibility of kids who fail to use protection, because as minors, that's what they are. They're kids.
And now, with the FDA making Plan B available over the counter (OTC), there's even less reason to be mindful of sexual responsibility. It's easier for these kids to give in to the moment because the morning-after pill is right there waiting for them. Forget the fact that the pills can cost at least $50. Forget the fact that pills cannot protect them from STDs. Do you remember being a teenager, because we do. When in the moment, consequences are hard to think of. Act now, apologize later. Unfortunately, later can have life-altering consequences. What if they can't afford Plan B after all? What if their sexual partner had an STD?
Maybe it's better for adults to have the morning-after pill available OTC, but is it better for kids? Sure it's birth control they can use if they forget to use birth control in the first place. But is that really the solution? They're gonna do it anyway, so it's better if they have a way to fix their mistakes?
Instead of giving them band-aids, teach them how to prevent getting into accidents in the first place. Instead of instilling in them a mindset and attitude of damage-control, instill in them self-control so the situations they get themselves into aren't so damaging.
By the way, kids aren't the only ones who act now and apologize later. Are you being sexually safe and responsible? Stop doing damage control. Take charge of your life right now.
As Christians, we do have to put in here that we believe in abstinence. When you take charge of your life sexually, it can mean waiting until after marriage before having sex (for the first or the next time). We believe that God created sex (for marriage), and that it's not just a physical or emotional act. It's spiritual too. The Spiritual Side of Sex.
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