WHAT A SURPRISE: Engagement off for Bristol Palin, fiance

[Karen]

You are so right. It is so simple to go on the pill. How many lives would be saved each year? Lives ruined because the baby was born and lives ruined because it was not.

It is not that simple for many girls - where do you get it? You need a prescription, and will the doctor tell your parents? Would they find out because you are covered by their health insurance? How do you find a doctor if you don;t have health insurance? What if you have been told your whole life that it is morally reprehensible to use birth control? How do you find a doctor to get a prescription? Would it be too mortifying to have to ask the pediatrician who has watched you grow up for a prescription for THAT and risk getting another abstinence lecture, and having to rely on the person not breaching patient/doctor privilege and telling your parents anyway?

I am not saying that it isn't a viable option, I am just saying that, sadly, it's not a simple choice. You cannot just pick up birth control pills at the counter store, and you need to be educated on how to use them, and the risks and side effects as well, or they will not be effective.

[caseysmom]

It is not that simple for many girls - where do you get it? You need a prescription, and will the doctor tell your parents? Would they find out because you are covered by their health insurance? How do you find a doctor if you don;t have health insurance? What if you have been told your whole life that it is morally reprehensible to use birth control? How do you find a doctor to get a prescription? Would it be too mortifying to have to ask the pediatrician who has watched you grow up for a prescription for THAT and risk getting another abstinence lecture, and having to rely on the person not breaching patient/doctor privilege and telling your parents anyway?

I am not saying that it isn't a viable option, I am just saying that, sadly, it's not a simple choice. You cannot just pick up birth control pills at the counter store, and you need to be educated on how to use them, and the risks and side effects as well, or they will not be effective.

Your so right Karen, I found out my daughters best friend was active and did not want to go to her very catholic mother. I took her to get the pill but it took several trips and we had to drive quite a ways. Considering she does not drive it would have been quite difficult for her.

[Marigold2]

Here in Ohio there are free clinics that help these young girls. One is not more then 7 miles from me in a very upscale part of town. You can get an exam and free pills. And you can always go to the drug store and buy condoms. It might be a bit ackward for a teen girl but it's a lot less so then giving birth. And as a mom of two boys I always advised them to be careful and be smart. None of my kids found themselves in trouble as they used to say. I am not saying it was easy, but it's a lot more so then an unwanted pregency.
If there are still parents who think their teenagers are not having sex, well I have yet to meet one. It might not be what parents want or how they taught their child but it's what is.

[caseysmom]

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If there are still parents who think their teenagers are not having sex, well I have yet to meet one. It might not be what parents want or how they taught their child but it's what is.

You haven't met my daughter and you never will and don't ever lump her in your generalizations. Just when I think you cannot be any more insulting to a group of people...

[pomtzu]

If there are still parents who think their teenagers are not having sex, well I have yet to meet one. It might not be what parents want or how they taught their child but it's what is.

This is far from an accurate statement. Maybe you personally don't know any, but there are plenty of teens that cannot be classified as such!

[Twisterdog]

It is not that simple for many girls - where do you get it? You need a prescription, and will the doctor tell your parents? Would they find out because you are covered by their health insurance? How do you find a doctor if you don;t have health insurance? What if you have been told your whole life that it is morally reprehensible to use birth control? How do you find a doctor to get a prescription? Would it be too mortifying to have to ask the pediatrician who has watched you grow up for a prescription for THAT and risk getting another abstinence lecture, and having to rely on the person not breaching patient/doctor privilege and telling your parents anyway?

Family Planning, Planned Parenthood or some version of free, confidential clinics exist is every state. Non-prescription birth control is inexpensive and available at every drug and grocery store.