Birth Control in America
Photo Source: Getty Images
April 5, 2021
Pregnancy is an aspect of a woman’s life that can be either a blessing or a curse. Throughout the world, many people are affected by unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. This is a major problem for women.
I believe there should be more precautions to prevent this major life-altering event. There are steps our government can take to prevent this, like providing easier access to birth control by lowering the price. I interviewed three of my peers on what they think could help this situation, and their answers were incredibly insightful.
The first question I asked was simple: “Do you take birth control?”
Two out of the three people I interviewed confirmed that they do take it, while the other said no. When I asked the two who do take birth control why they do, the first person said she takes it because she violently throws up and gets moderate to extreme cramps during her menstruation cycle. The second said they take it to prevent pregnancy.
As you can see birth control is not just taken to prevent pregnancy, but to help women feel comfortable during their everyday lives.
I then went on to ask the next question: “How much do you pay for your birth control?”
The first person said that they pay $10 monthly for their birth control, while the other pays around $5 a month.
The last question: “Do you believe that making birth control more affordable and accessible will lower abortion rates?”
All three answers, answered yes.
I went and did some research and discovered that 33% of women can not pay any more than $10 for their birth control. Some women can pay up to $800 annually. For people who can not afford insurance, that number is way too high.
$10 doesn’t seem like a lot, but after a year it adds up. For those who are in poverty and need birth control, $10 every month is just not affordable to them.
Washington University even agrees, saying that “providing birth control to women at no cost substantially reduces unplanned pregnancies and cuts abortion rates by a range of 62 to 78 percent compared to the national rate.”
A question I believe all women ask themselves is why do we have to pay? Men do not experience a menstrual cycle and do not have the risk of becoming pregnant. That leaves us, women, with the responsibility of paying to make sure that does not happen. I believe that getting more women into positions of power is how we start this change. It is hard for women to be heard when they are not even a part of the conversation. Birth control should not be a luxury but a necessity.
Autumn Vance • Apr 9, 2021 at 11:21 pm
Isabella, this is an important topic to address and I agree with everything written. Birth control absolutely needs to be more accessible for everyone, especially since there are so many reasons why a person may want to take it. Allowing more women in positions of power is a great way to impose change that can make it more affordable and therefore accessible to those who need it.
Yvette Estevez • Apr 9, 2021 at 2:13 pm
This is such an important issue that isn’t really talked about. Birth control is a need and not a luxury and it’s time that everyone understands that. I completely agree that more women in power would make the greatest change. It’s easy for men to think birth control should cost a lot and be a luxury because they aren’t the ones who have to deal with being pregnant and the big decisions with it.
Olivia Batholomew • Apr 9, 2021 at 12:42 pm
Isabella Digeannaro, I agree that Birth Control should be able to be accessed easier by women. It is important to have birth control for so many reasons, so it should be free and easily accessed. I think the cost is for it is way too expensive for anyone who needs it. Great points on this!
Parker Greason • Apr 9, 2021 at 12:11 pm
I think this article highlights a topic not commonly addressed. I completely agree that birth control should be more affordable, and should be treated lest as an amenity and more as a necessity.
Lauren Arnold • Apr 9, 2021 at 8:56 am
This is a VERY important topic to talk about. I definitely agree with that getting more women into power would make the greatest change. It is so easy for men to say that birth control should be costly and a luxury, because they do not have to experience the stress of pregnancy that women face. On the other hand, it would be rare a woman would say the same. Birth control is a right and should at least be less costly.
Jocelynn Alcantara • Apr 8, 2021 at 3:55 pm
I agree that Birth Control and contraceptives should not be seen as a luxury. They are truly a necessity especially today when the human population is rising rapidly. Although there are many power figures who are men, I agree that getting more women into power would change our lives for the better. It is difficult for a man to understand and speak on behalf of a woman, which is why they should not be making some of the choices they have for women as they have in the past. Right now, it is extremely important for women to stick together and come to power especially with all of the women’s movements coming about. No one knows women more than women do.