Introduction
One of the greatest challenges associated with parenting is dealing with teenage pregnancies. Health care experts have noted that the number of teenagers getting pregnant has increased a lot since the turn of the century (Gillham 13). Most teenage pregnancies are unintended and end up compromising the future of those involved. Studies have established that factors such as lack of sex education, poor parenting, peer pressure, and limited access to birth control devices contribute a lot to most teenage pregnancies (Chambers 29).
Several teenagers are sexually active, and thus need to be provided with birth control devices. They have very little knowledge about taking charge of their lives, especially with regard to practicing safe sex (Gillham 21). This increases their vulnerability to great dangers such as having unplanned pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted infections.
In 2010, the government of the United States of America reported that there were over 600,000 pregnant teenagers across the country (Chambers 40). There is an urgent need to ensure that this challenge is dealt with effectively by proving teenagers with birth control devices and educating them on the correct ways of using them.
Discussion
Sex education is very important with regard to helping teenagers about practicing safe sex. Health care experts argue that it helps them to understand the various birth control devices that they can use (Chambers 49). Teenagers also learn to use various contraceptives, as well as the importance of having control over their own safety and future.
Contraception plays an important role in the lives of teenagers because it helps to secure their future. Teenagers are able to avoid problems such as unintended pregnancies or contracting a sexually transmitted infection such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which can change their lives completely (Chambers 56). It is important for teenagers to have adequate information about contraceptives.
Some of the common methods of contraception used by teenagers include condoms, birth control pills, abstinence, and hormonal implants (Gillham 29). Teenagers should be taught about condoms and the way they help to prevent pregnancies. Birth control pills are also an effective form of contraception. Sexually active girls that use birth control pills should ensure they take them on a daily basis. In addition, they should learn about their side effects from a health care professional.
Hormonal implants are among the most effective forms of contraception (Gillham 36). They involve the insertion of a small device that releases a hormone called progestin. This hormone helps to prevent pregnancy for a certain period. Although the method does not protect one from the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, it does not disrupt sexual activity (Chambers 61).
Health care experts argue that the only certain way that teenagers can prevent themselves from getting pregnant is abstinence. Although other forms of contraception are effective, they can fail to work effectively in some occasions and lead to pregnancy (Chambers 63).
The importance of giving birth control devices to teenagers
Parents and teachers should play active roles in the lives of teenagers with regard to preventing unintended pregnancies. It’s their responsibility to offer sex education by ensuring that teenagers understand everything about contraceptives (Chambers 78).
The main motivating factor behind giving birth control devices to teenagers is securing their future and ensuring their safety. Although some critics argue that such a move would encourage teenagers to engage more in sex, it is important for them to do so without having any fears of compromising their future with unplanned pregnancies.
Psychologists argue that teenagers are prone to experimenting with their bodies, thus the need to provide them with birth control devices in case they start having sex (Chambers 88). Studies have established that contraceptives are very effective in reducing teenage pregnancies. Proving teenagers with birth control devices is very important because of their numerous advantages.
If used effectively, birth control pills help girls in reducing menstrual cramps, making menstrual periods to be lighter, as well as reducing their chances of getting ovarian cancer and uterine sarcoma. One of the precautions that teenage girls should take while using birth control pills is to ensure that they are taken daily.
Health care experts warn that contraceptives can fail to be effective if they are not used correctly (Gillham 48). Therefore, it is important for teenagers to ensure that they get all the important information about their contraceptive of choice before using it. Condoms are advantageous because they reduce the risk of someone getting infections.
In addition, they allow men to play an active role in ensuring that their partners do not get pregnant (Chambers 100). Health care experts also argue that condoms are important to men because they help them to last longer during sexual intercourse. They are affordable and easy to use, thus the most favored form of contraception.
Conclusion
Considering the nature of modern lifestyles, it is right to conclude that teenagers will always be sexually active with or without contraceptives. Therefore, it is morally and ethically right to provide them with birth control devices as a way of securing their future and ensuring they live a healthy life. Contraception is important for teenagers because it helps them to avoid mistakes such as unintended pregnancies that can negatively affect their progress in school and other endeavors.
Works Cited
Chambers, Ruth. Tackling Teenage Pregnancy: Sex, Culture and Needs. New York:bJohn Wiley & Sons, 2011. Print.
Gillham, Bill. The Facts about Teenage Pregnancies. New York: Cengage Learning,b2010. Print.