On "Accidental" Pregnancies
Some people won't agree with this. Some people are going to get pissed off by this. Either way, it's strictly my opinion. If you don't agree with it, then by all means, do what you feel necessary aka unfriend me if you feel THAT strongly about it lol
For some reason I have become notably aware of how many women around my age (and some older) are getting knocked up "accidentally." I don't quite understand how accidental pregnancies are acceptable in this day and age. I mean, come on now!? How many birth control options do men and women want accessible to them before they decide to use them!? Now, I understand the only fool-proof form of birth control is abstinence....and I also don't see that as a realistic option for most men and women. But, with ALL of the forms of birth control out there, I don't think people should say, "well, we 'accidentally' got pregnant..."
The definition of an "accident:" An accident is a specific, identifiable, unexpected, unusual and unintended external action which occurs in a particular time and place, without apparent or deliberate cause but with marked effects. Here's another: anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause. NO pregnancy happens by chance. And let me note, if you are not using birth control, or are only using one method, you should EXPECT that your chances of pregnancy are much higher. If you aren't using birth control responsibly, pregnancy as a result of your actions is not "unusual" in any way. With pregnancy there is a cause- intercourse, and people are well aware of the possible effects before engaging in intercourse.
Oral contraceptives were introduced in 1960... but still some women have a problem with taking them responsibly. Well, let me note, if you aren't a fan of the pill....these are your other options:
Now, I understand some of these methods are more costly than others, but some are also free! Many clinics give out free condoms, and many family planning centers (like Planned Parenthood) provide services based on your income level.
And for those women whose excuse is "well the pill is just too expensive for me...." let me ask you this, how much is your cell phone bill? do you drink or smoke? do you have cable? how much was the last item of clothing you purchased? ARE ALL THE THINGS YOU OWN WHAT YOU NEED!? If not, I'm damn sure you could have spared one pair of shoes to purchase one pack of birth control pills.... or several boxes of condoms. Someone once told me their birth control was $30/month. $360/year is a hell of a lot less than the $10,000/ year it costs to raise a baby for the first year. Invest in your sexual health. that goes out to men and women for that matter.
Women and men today should be thankful they have the birth control options they do. The pill was introduced in 1960, as mentioned. People have many options, but CHOOSE not to use them. Ladies, if you take oral contraceptive and missed a couple pills.... you know this before you have sex. If you aren't taking your pills as directed, you know this. And if you KNOW you haven't taken them like you should, please use a condom. Every doctor I have gone to suggests using two forms of birth control. If you aren't using two forms of birth control, don't act suddenly surprised when you or your significant other becomes pregnant. The more birth control methods you use, the less likely you/your SO is likely to become pregnant. In my opinion, 95% of unexpected pregnancies are preventable, people just choose not to.
And as for condoms, not only do they prevent pregnancy, but they also lessen one's chances of contracting an STD. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. There are over 2 million people ages 14-39 in the U.S. who have been diagnosed. Keep in mind that is not counting all of the people whom have no idea they even have the STD. The most common viral STD in the U.S. is HPV, or Human Papillomavirus. As with chlamydia, most persons with HPV have no idea they have it and experience no symptoms. HPV has been linked to cervical cancer.
Now, I'm not a hypocrit. I got pregnant at 16 and own up to it. And you're right, there is A LOT I could have done to prevent my pregnancy... which is why I feel so strongly about this. I have been there, I have done that. I know condoms aren't seen as "romantic" to use. yeah well, a crying baby in the other room or having to tell someone you have HPV aren't exactly mood setters either.
The world is overpopulated as it is and most people don't see STD screenings as necessary unless they have symptoms. In my opinion, too many people are having children they can't support on their own without government assistance. Eventually I would like to have another child, but it's going to be when I am not only financially ready, but emotionally ready. If you aren't ready to have a child, I highly suggest you take advantage of the birth control options available to you. I have no sympathy for people who either choose not to use birth control or don't use it as directed. Stop making excuses and take some responsibility for your actions.
Website for Centers of Disease Control & Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
** Let me note, I understand people in third world countries do not have access to birth control. This post is intended for people in developed countries that have plenty of options for birth control & either choose not to use them, or use them irresponsibly
For some reason I have become notably aware of how many women around my age (and some older) are getting knocked up "accidentally." I don't quite understand how accidental pregnancies are acceptable in this day and age. I mean, come on now!? How many birth control options do men and women want accessible to them before they decide to use them!? Now, I understand the only fool-proof form of birth control is abstinence....and I also don't see that as a realistic option for most men and women. But, with ALL of the forms of birth control out there, I don't think people should say, "well, we 'accidentally' got pregnant..."
The definition of an "accident:" An accident is a specific, identifiable, unexpected, unusual and unintended external action which occurs in a particular time and place, without apparent or deliberate cause but with marked effects. Here's another: anything that happens by chance without an apparent cause. NO pregnancy happens by chance. And let me note, if you are not using birth control, or are only using one method, you should EXPECT that your chances of pregnancy are much higher. If you aren't using birth control responsibly, pregnancy as a result of your actions is not "unusual" in any way. With pregnancy there is a cause- intercourse, and people are well aware of the possible effects before engaging in intercourse.
Oral contraceptives were introduced in 1960... but still some women have a problem with taking them responsibly. Well, let me note, if you aren't a fan of the pill....these are your other options:
- male condoms
- spermicide
- diaphragms
- cervical cap
- sponges
- Intrauterine Device (which can be effective up to 5-7 years!)
- the NuvaRing
- the Depo shot
- the patch
- the good ol' pull out method
- the rhythm method
- the morning after pill (as a last resort)
Now, I understand some of these methods are more costly than others, but some are also free! Many clinics give out free condoms, and many family planning centers (like Planned Parenthood) provide services based on your income level.
And for those women whose excuse is "well the pill is just too expensive for me...." let me ask you this, how much is your cell phone bill? do you drink or smoke? do you have cable? how much was the last item of clothing you purchased? ARE ALL THE THINGS YOU OWN WHAT YOU NEED!? If not, I'm damn sure you could have spared one pair of shoes to purchase one pack of birth control pills.... or several boxes of condoms. Someone once told me their birth control was $30/month. $360/year is a hell of a lot less than the $10,000/ year it costs to raise a baby for the first year. Invest in your sexual health. that goes out to men and women for that matter.
Women and men today should be thankful they have the birth control options they do. The pill was introduced in 1960, as mentioned. People have many options, but CHOOSE not to use them. Ladies, if you take oral contraceptive and missed a couple pills.... you know this before you have sex. If you aren't taking your pills as directed, you know this. And if you KNOW you haven't taken them like you should, please use a condom. Every doctor I have gone to suggests using two forms of birth control. If you aren't using two forms of birth control, don't act suddenly surprised when you or your significant other becomes pregnant. The more birth control methods you use, the less likely you/your SO is likely to become pregnant. In my opinion, 95% of unexpected pregnancies are preventable, people just choose not to.
And as for condoms, not only do they prevent pregnancy, but they also lessen one's chances of contracting an STD. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States. There are over 2 million people ages 14-39 in the U.S. who have been diagnosed. Keep in mind that is not counting all of the people whom have no idea they even have the STD. The most common viral STD in the U.S. is HPV, or Human Papillomavirus. As with chlamydia, most persons with HPV have no idea they have it and experience no symptoms. HPV has been linked to cervical cancer.
Now, I'm not a hypocrit. I got pregnant at 16 and own up to it. And you're right, there is A LOT I could have done to prevent my pregnancy... which is why I feel so strongly about this. I have been there, I have done that. I know condoms aren't seen as "romantic" to use. yeah well, a crying baby in the other room or having to tell someone you have HPV aren't exactly mood setters either.
The world is overpopulated as it is and most people don't see STD screenings as necessary unless they have symptoms. In my opinion, too many people are having children they can't support on their own without government assistance. Eventually I would like to have another child, but it's going to be when I am not only financially ready, but emotionally ready. If you aren't ready to have a child, I highly suggest you take advantage of the birth control options available to you. I have no sympathy for people who either choose not to use birth control or don't use it as directed. Stop making excuses and take some responsibility for your actions.
Website for Centers of Disease Control & Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/std/default.htm
** Let me note, I understand people in third world countries do not have access to birth control. This post is intended for people in developed countries that have plenty of options for birth control & either choose not to use them, or use them irresponsibly