Contraception should be free and available to everyone - Discuss.

[Chi]

I'd like to see peoples opinions on contraception, whether or not you'd opt for contraception when you become sexually active (vaginal penetration) and how accessible is any type of contraception in your country.

First we shall define contraception :) However I will make it clear that I do not consider abstinence a form of contraception. I will also not be considering the "Withdrawal (Pull Out Method)" as whilst it may be effective it relies on someone being fully aware and conscious about their motor control (drugs and alcohol - whilst intake may be small - can affect reflexes ((fyi drugs and alcohol together are worst on motor reflexes))

Furthermore - I'm talking about WORLDWIDE contraception. Not just the big 1st world countries.


Wikipedia definition:
Contraception is the prevention of the fusion of gametes during or after sexual activity. The term contraception is a portmanteau of contra, which means against, and the word conception, meaning fertilization. Contraception can occur both naturally and via artificial means in humans and in animals.

Forms of contraception that women can use:

Birth Control Implant
Birth Control Patch
Birth Control Pills
Birth Control Shot
Birth Control Sponge
Birth Control Vaginal Ring
Breastfeeding as Birth Control
Cervical Cap
Diaphragm
Female Condom
Fertility Awareness-Based Methods
IUD
Morning-After Pill
Spermicide
Sterilization for Women
*Condom

Birth Control for Men:
Condom
Vasectomy
*Arguably some sort of injection is being designed in India that doesn't effect libido...but I won't be considering this as I'm unsure how testing is going.

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Now whilst I wish that all contraception should be free, we live in a capitalist world and it won't happen. However there are 3 main ones which should be considered, they are Birth Control Pills, Birth Control Shots and condoms (all those uh...ribbed, flavoured and ones with shiny add-ons don't need to be)

Why should contraception should be free/and why those contraceptions:


1. The Birth Control Shot - Is very efficient in countries where there is a stigma around contraception (generally where contraception correlates with sin/breaking religious law or even governments laws) and where poverty is also high and women's rights are low (3rd word countries). It is easily hidden from dominating men in households, it only needs to be taken every 3-4 months instead of every day, and is helpful in cases of rape where the man ejaculates (but does not take into account STDs) if the women is already on the BC. It gives women control, it controls birthrates.

*Poverty and High Birth Rates are correlated (when poverty is high, Birth rates are high because death rates are higher)([Only registered and activated users can see links])

2. The Birth Control Pill - The pill provides an alternative to women who may or may not be able to take the shot. There are also a range of pills which each are individually different accommodating for different reactions to the hormone changes.

3. Basic condoms - Condoms should be free so that men have some control over being fathers. Condoms are also the only effective way to prevent STD's so therefore should be automatically accepted into the top 3 list.


Family Planning and Contraception decrease abortion rates, poverty rates, increase education levels/opportunities (for women and men) and generally increase income. It is also significantly cheaper for an economy to subsidise birth control than fund families on low incomes who cannot afford children. There are also less health risks for the women whilst taking contraceptions than going through pregnancy and for both women men, there are less health risks in regards to condom use and STDs.


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I'm interested to see what others think and particulary those who disagree with free contraception.

-Its been awhile since a good debate :)-

[Ryan~]

I don't meant to make this a really small post in the debate section.
But if you go to your health clinic they give you this giant bag of condoms for free....right? 0-0

[Chi]

I don't meant to make this a really small post in the debate section.
But if you go to your health clinic they give you this giant bag of condoms for free....right? 0-0

I'm not sure :) In the USA probably, but like I said, worldwide contraception for free ;) I'm sure there are some agencies that give free condoms to people but in other places they aren't so lucky :)

[Nath]

It is free here in the UK. Free condoms, free contraceptive injections, pills, implants etc.

Of course it should be free worldwide, but then people should have food, clean water, education, freedom of speach....

It's just a fact that some areas of the world are not as lucky as the ones we live in unfortunately.

[Chi]

It is free here in the UK. Free condoms, free contraceptive injections, pills, implants etc.

Of course it should be free worldwide, but then people should have food, clean water, education, freedom of speach....

It's just a fact that some areas of the world are not as lucky as the ones we live in unfortunately.

Yup, And what is your opinion of giving contraception as part of foreign aid schemes?

[Nath]

Yup, And what is your opinion of giving contraception as part of foreign aid schemes?

Of course it should be provided, the cost is minimal and the benefits are clear. However I am not in charge, and I'm not sure if it will happen for a variety of reasons.

This thread could go of on a tangent ! :P

[John]

There are a lot of US organizations and stuff that deliver condoms in massive numbers to places where it isnt free, primarily in africa to prevent aids spread. I don't know much about the situation in the rest of the world, but in the US it's very easy to get condoms. They are free in almost every medical facility. My boarding high school even gives them away in the health center.

[Sci_Girl]

I do not have a problem with handing out more condoms in areas of 3rd World status. I do not think birth control pills would work though, too much pressure on taking it at the same time everyday and people may honestly be more concerned with surviving than remembering to take that pill when they are supposed to. Then the shot or pill an individual may need to walk several hours to get to the clinic. That may be a deterrent to getting the shot or pill. Then it is going to cost money, a lot more than condoms, to supply birth control pills or shots.

[jongeh]

Actually, if you had done your research, third world countries are not referred to that now, but rather as LEDC's (Less economically developed countries.) We already paid enough aid to the LEDC's. We need to get ourselves out of trouble before we even think about helping them, after all, it either comes out of MEDC governments coffers or their taxpayers pockets. There is so much corruption in LEDC's that nothing would ever get done. Have you ever thought about why a country nowadays is still an LEDC? Well it is because of how corrupt their governments are. We could offer all the aid in the world for free contraception and the corrupt governments would take the donations and wire it off to offshore bank accounts to feed their own personal or political needs. On the other hand, we could literally send hundreds of condoms over to Africa (as an example) but what would that stop? Third world hunger? We have been trying to fight that since before I was born.

In my opinion, all that is needed is a stable government. Not a shit load of free contraception.

[Bexxy]

Its free here in the uk at certain places in every town :)

[Sneasel]

I wish it would be free in germany.
Pills are very expansive for example. My Pill costs 60€ for three months, that is a lot of money. I use a Fertility Awareness Method now, called sensiplan, because it is free and we only need condoms in the fertil phase.

[I_royalty_I]

I think that anybody should be able to buy it.
It's not like it's a drug or illegal substance, it shouldn't need to be regulated.

On the other hand, I don't think it should be free.
If you wanna use it, then you should have to buy it for yourself.

[maxxine]

Like Ryan said you can get condoms free at a health clinic, but I agree with Andrew anyone should be able to buy it, not get it free.

[Ksychic]

Its a good measure, but I also believe that it should not be free.

[thirdplateau]

The only opposition to contraceptive use comes from long-standing and very outdated religious beliefs. Even if you do not consider yourself to be religious, the idea that it's wrong to prevent conception stems from the same ancient beliefs. Unfortunatley, in the U.S at least, we have a large population of conservative religious folk. And our government doesn't believe our tax dollars should be used to better our nation's health, they'd rather see it spent on increasing our already spoiled image.

[awe]

My taxes shouldn't have to pay for your decisions. Condoms are free at clinics as stated above. I also agree they should be available for everyone for purchase.