Plan B: Should Teens get Advanced Perscriptions?

[ALAYMAN]

NEW YORK (NBC News Channel) -- Teenage girls may soon be able to get advance prescriptions for the morning after pill.

Right now, girls under 17 are banned from buying the pill over-the-counter. But the American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that doctors give younger girls an advance prescription in case they need emergency contraception.

That's because although teen pregnancies have declined over the past 20 years, the rate is still higher than in most other countries.

Pediatricians are not required to heed the recommendations.

What do you think of the recommendation?

Do you believe Plan B is an abortifacient?

 

[Castor Muscular]

 

[samspade]

Tough question. Do I wish teens would conform to my ideas/beliefs as far as morality is concerned? Sure. Is there a reason they should? Not necessarily. Since I believe in the autonomy of the family, I can't impose my moral standards on others' children. If their parents approve of teen sexual activity I'm not in a position to stop it. And if teens not under my care choose to go against their parents wishes and engage in sexual activity I'm not in a position to stop that either (Note that this is the same argument that proponents of church independence put forth regarding speaking out about sin in other churches). Either way, fewer teen pregnancies are a good thing.

As to whether the pill itself is a form of abortion, from the limited reading I've done on it, I wouldn't say so. But I'm not well versed in biological science so I'm open to have my mind changed.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Tough question. Do I wish teens would conform to my ideas/beliefs as far as morality is concerned? Sure. Is there a reason they should? Not necessarily. Since I believe in the autonomy of the family, I can't impose my moral standards on others' children. If their parents approve of teen sexual activity I'm not in a position to stop it. And if teens not under my care choose to go against their parents wishes and engage in sexual activity I'm not in a position to stop that either (Note that this is the same argument that proponents of church independence put forth regarding speaking out about sin in other churches). Either way, fewer teen pregnancies are a good thing.

As to whether the pill itself is a form of abortion, from the limited reading I've done on it, I wouldn't say so. But I'm not well versed in biological science so I'm open to have my mind changed.

I'm not sure if the drug (used as prescribed) will prohibit conception, or just stop implantation, as there seems to be some debate on that matter.  So from a Christian perspective, using it within the bounds of marriage (which defeats the whole marketing plan of those who developed the drug for non-married folk) I'd be leary against using it until it can be proven not to be an abortifacient (the FDA originally said that it was).

As far as the matter of allowing parents make that call, a lot of policies that are coming on the scene now are making allowance for teens to get such things without the parent's consent.  It seems that logic is to allow the medical community and government officials to make the child empowered to follow their guidelines without parental involvement, ala "it takes a village".  That's the biggest travesty.

 

[samspade]

I'm not sure if the drug (used as prescribed) will prohibit conception, or just stop implantation, as there seems to be some debate on that matter.  So from a Christian perspective, using it within the bounds of marriage (which defeats the whole marketing plan of those who developed the drug for non-married folk) I'd be leary against using it until it can be proven not to be an abortifacient (the FDA originally said that it was).

As far as the matter of allowing parents make that call, a lot of policies that are coming on the scene now are making allowance for teens to get such things without the parent's consent.  It seems that logic is to allow the medical community and government officials to make the child empowered to follow their guidelines without parental involvement, ala "it takes a village".  That's the biggest travesty.

It seems that no one has a clear understanding of how the drug works. Which, aside from the moral implications of use, makes me leery that we allow women to take a pill without knowing the real effects on her body (both short and long term). It's not the first time that our government has played Russian roulette with citizens health. And it probably won't be the last.

And, I agree that it is crazy to allow minors to make life-altering decisions without parental input. We put children in the position of making adult decisions and then lament that the family structure is breaking down. It also reflects the changing climate in our society. We are a post-christian society now and need to adjust our expectations to that reality.

 

[ALAYMAN]

It seems that no one has a clear understanding of how the drug works. Which, aside from the moral implications of use, makes me leery that we allow women to take a pill without knowing the real effects on her body (both short and long term). It's not the first time that our government has played Russian roulette with citizens health. And it probably won't be the last.

And, I agree that it is crazy to allow minors to make life-altering decisions without parental input. We put children in the position of making adult decisions and then lament that the family structure is breaking down. It also reflects the changing climate in our society. We are a post-christian society now and need to adjust our expectations to that reality.

Some social commentator recently was responding to a push for allowing 16-year olds to vote and essentially said "are you kidding me, at 16 you're an idiot, and in no way should be enabled to make life-changing decisions for other people".  To that I say a hearty amen.

 

[Biker]

It seems that no one has a clear understanding of how the drug works. Which, aside from the moral implications of use, makes me leery that we allow women to take a pill without knowing the real effects on her body (both short and long term). It's not the first time that our government has played Russian roulette with citizens health. And it probably won't be the last

  I wonder if they are pushing this drug in high schools, not sure where the Teens would get it

Kinda like the flu shot being pushed onto everyone. Dept stores offer it for free or very low cost.

 

[weaker-brother]

So I was just wondering, what is the difference between perscriptions and prescriptions.

Perscriptions sounds like something you take for perspiring.

Prescriptions sounds like a "prescribed" medicine.

And "Advanced Prescriptions" sounds like an AP class for medical school students.

 

[Ransom]

Plan B: Should Teens get Advanced Perscriptions?

Dunno. What was plan A, and where did it go wrong?