Essay about Birth Control

Submitted By Anortelus2
Words: 1109
Pages: 5
Open Document
ENC 1101
11 June 2012
Birth Control

Birth control has been around for many years; it has evolved so much. Birth control dates back to Egypt as early as 3000 B.C.. (Macmillan) Archeologists have found drawings from that time period showing men wearing condoms. It cannot be specified weather or not they used the condoms for sex or for ceremonial purposes. (Macmillan) In 1850 B.C. the earliest evidence of a birth control device used by woman was a Pessary. A Pessary is an object or mixture inserted into the vagina to block or kill sperm. Directions on how to create a pessary were found from that time. (Macmillan) Different kinds of materials were tried for condoms, from lamb intestines to linen. Condom usage flourished in 1844 after Charles Goodyear improved the processing of rubber. (Macmillan) Other methods of birth control for woman were also invented and tested during that time, including vaginal sponges, diaphragms, and intrauterine devices or IUDs. (Macmillan) In the 1990’s woman used another form of birth control, which was prolonging lactation. This method was only 50% effective. (Bengtsson) Therefore contraceptives have come along way but our government and the people are saying two different things. The subject of birth control was considered taboo to the law. The taboos went away when the first court case against a manufacturer of the contraceptive came about. (Shaffer) Our government has not fully agreed with the idea of birth control being available to everyone but they have compromised with the situation. Although the pill is still not available without prescription, they have made the plan B or the morning after pill available without prescription. The plan B pill is available over the counter and you used to have to be 18 years old to purchase but now they have lowered the age requirement to 17 years old because of so many teen pregnancies. Just recently in 2011, President Obama made it that insurance companies are required to cover prescriptions for birth control methods and other types of woman’s preventative services with out co-payment. (Bajende) Some women have even gone further to suggest that he should make it that prescriptions are not needed for birth control. Woman have wanted that move since 1933 when Charlotte Ellertson, a woman’s activist who founded the reproductive health, a research and educational organization focusing on woman’s reproductive rights, began fighting for them. (“Should Prescriptions Be Required for Contraceptives”) There were certain states where birth control was against the law, and there were people who fought tooth and nail against it. Mrs. Sanger, who became a determined crusader for the birth control as a result of experiences as a public health nurse among poor immigrant families in New York City. She purposefully opened a birth control clinic in Brooklyn in 1916. (Shaffer) Mrs. Sanger was indicted under the obscenity law; refusing to seek clemency by promising to desist from her activities she left the country. When Mrs. Sanger returned in 1915, after her husband had been sentenced 30 days in the workhouse for giving out some of her pamphlets. He mistakenly gave one to an under cover agent of the New York police department. When they were taken to court she had a lot of people testify on her behalf and lucky her chief harasser had died. There fore the indictment was withdrawn and she was free again to stand for what she believed in. (shaffer) Thanks to woman like Mrs. Sanger birth control is more abundant and not taboo. Another issue of birth control is the topic of funding. Supporters of covering birth control say that such a privilege will make it easier and more affordable for woman to obtain the method of birth control that is most effective and appropriate for them ending in less unintended pregnancies and abortions. (“Birth control funding”) Having fewer unintended pregnancies will save not only cost, U.S. taxpayers money, and will have other positive benefits
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Birth Control

Birth Control Essay

Birth control is one of today’s most widely utilized forms of contraception, however not everyone feels that same way about the use of birth control. Even though it has been tested, and proven to be 99% effective when used as prescribed by a physician. The positives of birth control are believed to outweigh the bad they may cause, and there is difficulty when deciding if a person is for or against birth control . As previously stated above birth control is 99% effective and it is an extremely easy…

Words 358 - Pages 2

The Birth Control Debate

traditionally rejected by Catholic teachings. Many Catholic Churches, sensing that the birth control debate was lost, started to focus on the prohibition of abortion. In 1972 abortion during the first two trimesters became legal in the United States, and in numerous other countries. This in turn caused the Catholic Church to initiate an international campaign against sexual education, family planning, abortion, birth control and redefinitions of the family that included homosexual couples. Also rejected…

Words 177 - Pages 1

Benefits Of Birth Control

Birth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different methods of birth control including condoms, birth control pills, the rhythm method, vasectomy, and tubal ligation.In Many influential ways birth control can be a good thing and bad thing in positive & negative ways.Different Birth controls each have their benefits and downside. Remembering taking the pill is a very note to take to yourself when you on the birth control pill .It is very important to remember to take…

Words 613 - Pages 3

The Benefits Of Birth Control

It is not surprising to find out that when discussing insurance and covering birth control for women, all insurers try and get out of providing for the basic needs of women. Most companies did this, “Despite the fact that 99 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who are sexually active have used birth control at some point” (“Birth Control: We” 1). Due to the vast amount of users, many women use birth control and think of it as a normal and expected health care component in their daily lives…

Words 1070 - Pages 5

Birth Control Accessibility

Birth Control Should Be Highly Accessible Birth control is a strategy commonly used by numerous biological women to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Additionally, birth control is used by many people who struggle with their menstrual cycles to manage menstrual symptoms. Because of this, birth control is a necessity for many biological women around the world. However, some barriers have been put in place to make birth control difficult or sometimes impossible to access. The obstacles to birth control…

Words 3249 - Pages 13

Birth Control And Diseases

2012 Birth Control and Diseases Teenager’s sexuality and birth control are topics of conversation that adults find unwilling to discuss. The fact of the matter remains that teens are having sexual intercourse and need to be properly educated to prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Although birth control and diseases have many side effects, they also have different types. The purpose of the contraceptive, called the birth control pill, is to do just that: control birth. The…

Words 1548 - Pages 7

Essay on Birth Control

Culinary Arts Median pay: $42,480 per year $20.42 per hour Entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent Duties: Chefs and head cooks typically do the following: Check freshness of food and ingredients Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and other food preparation workers Develop recipes and determine how to present the food Plan menus and ensure uniform serving sizes and quality of meals Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas for cleanliness and functionality…

Words 620 - Pages 3

The Pros And Cons Of Birth Control

of these controversial drugs include medical marijuana, steroids, Accutane, Adderall, and birth control. One of the more prominent of these is birth control. Countless women and teenage girls use birth control for various reasons. It can be used to prevent pregnancy, lessen menstrual cramps, improve acne, delay or advance a menstrual period, or even cause the menstrual cycle not to occur. However, birth control does have several side effects, some of which are minimal and some of which are severe.…

Words 1679 - Pages 7

Essay about Birth Control

yes PHI 2600-39832 Prof. Mallory December 4, 2012 Importance of Birth Control As almost everyone knows, women around the world have lower standards of living than men. The reason: Women bear children, and therefore usually bear the financial burden of raising them. Caring for children leaves women in every nation with fewer opportunities for education, careers, and personal fulfillment. Unplanned pregnancies also lead to social problems – including child abuse, prostitution, and abortion -…

Words 1070 - Pages 5

Pros And Cons Of Birth Control

cultures birth control has become a political issue. Birth control should be available to teens without prescription because it could help aid in lowering the risks of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies, prevention of ovarian cysts and help regulate the imbalances in their bodies,prevention of suicide in young mothers, and also help decrease high school dropouts due to unplanned pregnancies. Some may argue against this and say that many teens do not know how to properly use birth control. However…

Words 1042 - Pages 5