Pros and cons of providing contraception to adolescents

As a parent, it is difficult to decide whether to give your sexually active teen birth control . Although birth control is a proven method of preventing STDs and unwanted pregnancy, some parents struggle with the moral and ethical implications surrounding the issue.

There are pros and cons to providing birth control , so parents should consider birth control options, alternatives, and long-term benefits before making a final decision. Children teens need sex education and learn all about healthy sexual relationships and this, it must provide parents … not be allowed to seek information on their own because then they could find reliable and even dangerous for them little information.

PROS

DISEASE PREVENTION

Providing contraception for your child is advantageous when your adolescent is sexually active with more than one partner or with a non-virgin partner .  A single act of sex can lead to a sexually transmitted disease infection.

Some forms of contraception, such as the contraceptive pill , do not prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), but effective use of condoms does. You should educate your adolescent child about the various types of contraceptives and highlight the importance of those that help prevent disease.

Teenagers don’t always think before they act and can get into a situation where they are unprepared and unwilling to give up unprotected sex. Disease prevention is a good reason to give your sexually active teen birth control.

PREGNANCY PREVENTION

One of the biggest benefits of giving your adolescent birth control is preventing an unwanted pregnancy.  Most adolescent girls are not old or mature enough to handle the responsibility of parenthood , so birth control reduces the likelihood of your teenage daughter getting pregnant or your teenage son getting a girl pregnant.

However, many teens do not know how to use birth control properly, and some birth control methods require a prescription. If you choose to provide birth control, you will need to take your teen to a medical professional. If your adolescent son is a man, give him clear instructions on contraceptive methods provides quality information on all these topics.

CONS

PROMISCUITY

Although giving a teenager birth control is often a responsible decision, it can have negative consequences. For some teens, knowing that they are less at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and that the risks of pregnancy are greatly reduced, birth control encourages promiscuous behavior. 

Teens who otherwise would have practiced abstinence now have a reason to become sexually active. Birth control also raises moral concerns for religious families. Some parents are totally against birth control for ethical reasons.

CONFUSION

One downside to giving your teen birth control is the confusing message you might be sending. As a parent, you want to emphasize the importance of love, commitment, respect, and responsible behavior when it comes to relationships.

Someday, your child could become a parent, and you don’t want them to have a confusing view of sex and marriage . When you give a teenager birth control, you are tolerating the sexual behavior, not knowing if your teen has a healthy relationship, outside of sex, with the other person. Talk to your teen about healthy relationships before tolerating sexual activity … and most of all, about healthy relationships.