Just for the Halibut: For the Want of a Pill, a Baby was Born

KATHERINE ONG
Opinions Editor

Though some may say that the distribution of contraceptives, such as the “morning after pill” or condoms within the schools is inappropriate, the event in which a student might possibly become pregnant is arguably one that schools want to avoid. The availability of the pill will be another precaution against an undesired teenage pregnancy which is helpful since it is easier and far less traumatizing for a student to prevent a pregnancy than to pursue an abortion. In these cases, the well-being of the students should be the first priority.
Yes, the increased availability of such contraceptives may encourage an increase in sexual behavior among teens; however, when compared to the possibility of a young student, it seems like the lesser of two evils.
It’s so easy for people to say, “Just don’t have sex,” however, the warning isn’t easily obeyed. The paradox of being a teenager is that the more we are told not to do something, the stronger our urge becomes to proceed anyway regardless of the consequences, because our inherent instincts are to defy authority. Add hormones into the mix and we are as unpredictable as they come. Without contraceptives as a safety net, we may very well see the birth of another baby boomer generation before we see a decrease in teen sex.