Various, inclusive types of contraceptives and sexual barriers should be easily attainable for minors. If this was the case, both STIs and unwanted pregnancies would decrease among teens. Also, if many different kinds of contraceptives and protection are normalized and/ or available, society’s view on sex could be shifted from a hetero-normative/male-dominated view to a more inclusive one. Some people will argue that having these resources open to young people would encourage them to engage in sexual activities when really it would just make everyone a lot safer when they do choose to have sex.
As I stated above, if contraceptives and sexual barriers are available for minors, STI rates and unwanted pregnancies numbers would decline. The Center for Reproductive rights states that “Almost half of women in the U.S have intercourse by the time they turn 18,” and, “The best way to keep kids safe is to educate and protect them against things that could impact their lives in a negative way.” This shows that providing resources to keep teens safe needs to happen, as most teens have sexual contact before they graduate high school. The Alan Guttmacher Institute gives us statistics that say almost 1 million teens become pregnant and 3 million teens contract an STI each year in the U.S. Teenagers deserve all of the resources we have so they can make safe, well-informed choices.
Most ideas about sex are all very heteronormative and male-dominated, which is problematic. Only having exterior condoms easily available to minors is only adding to this. As a result of a wider variety of types of protection, the differences humans try to shut out can be normalized. According to the Center for American Progress, “There is increasing evidence that positive discussion of LGBT people and issues helps build safer school environments, decreasing the educational, mental, and physical harms that LGBT students experience.” This shows that having inclusive resources available can help reduce feelings of isolation and alienation amongst minority groups, in this case, LGBTQ+ individuals. Not only do different forms of sexual barriers and contraceptives provide recognition to all sorts of identities, but it can also present ways in which to be in control. Gloria Feldt, a former CEO of Planned Parenthood who had 3 children by the time she was 20 says, "If women are going to have control and power in society, they have to be able to control when they have children, and they have to be able to make money. The pill brought together the economics and the fertility timeline in a neat little package." In my opinion, these quotes only support the fact that there should be inclusive contraceptive and protection methods.
Most of the counterarguments for available contraception and protection aren’t backed by research and are based on old ideas. In 1966, the magazine U.S. News and World Report wrote, "Is the Pill regarded as a license for promiscuity? Can its availability to all women of childbearing age lead to sexual anarchy?" This quote perplexes me because women have been having premarital sex before the pill, only now there is better contraception. Sex has and always will be prominent amongst teens and adults alike, only now there are more options to make sure you are in control of your sexual health and reproductive rights.
Everyone wants teenagers to be safe; there is no reason not to. One of the easiest ways to do that is to give them the tools they need to remain safe. Contraceptives and sexual barriers are tools that are used to prevent things that could negatively affect someone (pregnancies and STIs). Purposefully keeping methods of contraception and sexual protection away from minors can be dangerous, and it won’t stop them from having sex. To generate a safe, accepting space with less unwanted pregnancies and STIs among teens, we have to give them easy access to all the resources available.
Ursula Denholm