There's a lot of talk lately about birth control and what access women should have to it. I must say that I don't understand what all the fuss is about. It's been my experience that most men are wildly in favor of women using birth control - after all, they don't want to be financially responsible for a Dugger-type household. I think the core issue here isn't about woman having or being on birth control; it's about who pays for it.
I remember the hullabaloo that happened many years ago when it was discovered that the insurance policy that my company has would pay for Viagra but wouldn't pay for birth control. Oh, women said, you'll pay for them to knock us up but won't pay for us to prevent it? They saw the point. Birth control was covered. There was no question about the ethics or morality of using these drugs. It was the simple fact that the coverage of these medications affects the most personal and intimate part of a person's life, and each partner should be offered the same benefits to handle it responsibly.
Of course there are moral issues involved, especially when discussing use of the "morning after" pills that are under the gun. But really, this type of "birth control" has always been debated. Is it really birth control if the purpose is to undo what's done, and not to prevent it? It seems to me that's the real question. Some see it as early stage abortion and don't want their tax dollars to pay for it. Some still see it as birth control and say why not? And when you come right down to it, it's really the same old abortion debate that we've had for decades and we'll never really resolve it. There are just too many elements, opinions and perceptions in the mix.
I think that's what this really comes down to - personal perception. We all have different lifestyles and face different issues due to that. In the end, I think the most important thing is that women are aware of the position of their employers/insurance and offered affordable options. Because I do believe that we should all agree on one fundamental point. Whether you believe in using birth control or not, it does harken back to a core issue of personal responsibility. So come on, folks. If you'll pay for the party (Viagra), then pay for the clean up (birth control). Because women have responsibilities in this modern day and age, and we deserve options too!
I remember the hullabaloo that happened many years ago when it was discovered that the insurance policy that my company has would pay for Viagra but wouldn't pay for birth control. Oh, women said, you'll pay for them to knock us up but won't pay for us to prevent it? They saw the point. Birth control was covered. There was no question about the ethics or morality of using these drugs. It was the simple fact that the coverage of these medications affects the most personal and intimate part of a person's life, and each partner should be offered the same benefits to handle it responsibly.
Of course there are moral issues involved, especially when discussing use of the "morning after" pills that are under the gun. But really, this type of "birth control" has always been debated. Is it really birth control if the purpose is to undo what's done, and not to prevent it? It seems to me that's the real question. Some see it as early stage abortion and don't want their tax dollars to pay for it. Some still see it as birth control and say why not? And when you come right down to it, it's really the same old abortion debate that we've had for decades and we'll never really resolve it. There are just too many elements, opinions and perceptions in the mix.
I think that's what this really comes down to - personal perception. We all have different lifestyles and face different issues due to that. In the end, I think the most important thing is that women are aware of the position of their employers/insurance and offered affordable options. Because I do believe that we should all agree on one fundamental point. Whether you believe in using birth control or not, it does harken back to a core issue of personal responsibility. So come on, folks. If you'll pay for the party (Viagra), then pay for the clean up (birth control). Because women have responsibilities in this modern day and age, and we deserve options too!
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