http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/10/18/middleschool.contraception.ap/index.html
A question was asked a short time ago and people said that girls couldn't get the pill without a prescription. If girls go to the health center at many high schools and now this jr. high school, they are able to get the pill without parental notification. The parents have to consent to the girl using the health center services but the health center does not have to disclose what specific services the girl receives.
I work with teenage mothers and I completely understand the need for sex education and access to reliable protection. However, I don't like the idea of an 11 year old being able to put a medication into her body without her parents knowledge.
What age do most of you feel a girl should be able to independently obtain the pill?
2007-12-24 06:33:21 · 16 answers · asked by Cheryl S 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's only one school district though. So in the majority, people are right.
Anyway, beyond the moral and practical problems, it's also a medical problem. The pill can interfere with other medications and can also cause problems of its own. The pill should never be given without a full physical and full disclosure.
2007-12-24 06:45:22 · answer #1 · answered by gumby 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The age is 13. Not 11. An eleven year old child should not be able to obtain the pill. Personally, I think it should be available to 15 and older without parents consent.
2007-12-24 15:41:18 · answer #2 · answered by punch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No matter what, a parental permission form for them to be able to use that service has to signed. It is effect in Maine and I have plenty of family up there to know. If parents do not sign the form, then the girl cannot access that. In Maine it is for Jr High ages and up which is not ten or eleven years old as that is 13/14 yrs old (7th & 8th grade).
I believe 13 is old enough although I do not like the idea of a 13 year old needing it. However, I've seen enough pregnant 13 yr olds to know that it is better than that happening.
If parents sign that consent form, they are in essence giving their permission.
2007-12-24 14:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by genaddt 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think boys and girls should have access to contraceptives such as condoms, but I don't think they should be given the pill without parental knowledge because it is a prescription and because there can be side effects. Also, if a teen secretly on the Pill goes to her doctor when she's ill she's unlikely to tell her doctor about the Pill (especially if Mom is in the room) which leads to the possibility of really nasty drug interactions.
2007-12-24 14:46:52 · answer #4 · answered by Nightwind 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most girls start their menstrual cycle around 10 or 11 to 14. I think it is wise for any girl that age who is even considering having sex to get on the pill or at least have it available, rather than not be on it and get pregnant by her 13 year old boyfriend. The only thing I worry about is her having problems with the pill or any contraceptive and not recieving the proper medical attention for her womanhood.
2007-12-24 14:39:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As long as their is no applicable 'sex education', about condoms, and birth control?, girls should be able to obtain the pill, when they start their periods.
I would rather they have the ''protection, and not get pregnant, or get an STD.
Kids are having sex these days, as early as ELEVEN. And I believe that is OUR fault.
Religion has been adamant for so long, about the advertising condoms, and birth control. We fell that if we supported it, that we were giving ''permission'' to people to have sex.
Well, people are going to have sex, whether the are commercials, and ads, about condoms, or not.
Sex education, is the most important thing in the world. if we have that, we won't need 'health centers for 'birth control', at school.
The kids will be able to make smart decisions about sex, on their own.
2007-12-24 15:09:03 · answer #6 · answered by evictus 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
18- because at 18 she is "considered" an adult. You noticed I put in quotations 18- legally she may be an adult- but a lot of 18 year olds are not adult in their actions. If an 11 year old was going to be going to the hospital even for minor surgery, they have to have a parent give permission, however in some states they do not need parental consent for an abortion either- kind of sad when you think about it.
2007-12-24 14:54:53 · answer #7 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Honestly I think they should be able to get it whenever they start menstruation. If their asking for the pill they are planning on having sex. So if they are 11 or 18 they should be able to get it.
2007-12-24 14:38:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Well, I'm not a medical ethicist, but there are very good reasons for patient confidentiality at all ages. For example, if there isn't good confidentiality, kids will be less likely to disclose activities (including dangerous ones) that doctors *have* to know about.
That's why even if you tell your doctor that you take illegal drugs, he can't tell anyone. Because otherwise, you wouldn't tell him. Same thing applies here. Medical confidentiality should take precedence.
Having said all that, kids should be getting their medical care through a universal, single-payer system. But that's off-topic.
2007-12-24 14:39:51 · answer #9 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Whatever age they start having sex is when the pill needs to be available.
Most local health departments offer it for free in confidentiality.
2007-12-24 14:37:41 · answer #10 · answered by Blue 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋