Birth control availability for teenagers without parental consent requirements

¶ … Teenagers Birth Control

Proponents believe that it is the key to reducing teenage pregnancy rates, which is a view supported by many pediatricians (Tanner, 2005). According to that view, the abstinence-only approach to sex education is ineffective. Opponents believe that providing birth control information and devices to teenagers encourages them to become sexually active earlier than they would have otherwise (Russell, 2008).

The available data actually supports the value of giving birth control to teenagers, suggesting that the proper use rate among teenagers is approximately 70% (Hench, 2007). However, one of the most controversial aspects of initiatives to supply birth control to teenagers arises in connection with doing so without parental consent (Hench, 2007; Russell, 2008). In particular, even among adults who support the idea of providing birth control to teenagers are much less supportive of proposals to do so without parental consent, especially in the case of teenagers younger than 16 years of age (Hench, 2008).

Meanwhile, proponents of such programs point out that fewer than 20% of teens indicate that they would seek parental advice on the matter and would not participate in seeking information on or access to birth control where parental notification was required (Russell, 2008). That is particularly troubling in light of the tremendous decrease in teen pregnancy where birth control is available without such restrictions (Asmar, 2005).