In 2006, there were 4,265,555 births in the United States according to the National Center for Health Statistics. There are just over a million people in the entire state of Rhode Island so the United States populated my home state over four times that year.
There have been intense debate for years about mandating birth control for women on welfare since ultimately they are continuing to have children when they have proved that they cannot fully support, without government intervention, the child(ren) they currently have. But this blog isn’t about that. Considering that nearly 750,000 teens become pregnant every year suggests that we should look at the reproductive capabilities of teenagers.
Teenagers having children puts a strain on their parents as well as the government. Many teens wouldn’t have the capability of raising their children without the help of either or both.
SHOULD WE INPUT MANDATORY BIRTH CONTROL FOR TEENS?
SHOULD PARENTS HAVE THE OPTION TO REQUIRE THEIR TEENS TO BE ON BIRTH CONTROL?
If the government were to mandate birth control for teens between the ages of 12-17 what kind of effect would that have on the welfare system, the family unit and the economy?
If parents have the ability to mandate birth control for their teens would it be considered a violation of the reproductive rights of the teens? Should teens have reproductive rights?
We will be discussing this on Monday, November 30th @ 10pm ET on the show: Regina’s Universe: Live & Uncensored
What do you think?
A little quirky, a little fun, a little serious, and very loud! I'm the voice behind the radio broadcast and writer behind this blog. I'm always on the lookout for something new, innovative, creative, fun, or just pisses me off... GAME ON! 
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Birth-Control-1445/Birth-control-laws.htm
First, I think you should have black font on a white background.
Second, there is no way a law like mandatory birth control would pass because of the moral implications for some and freedom toward the pursuit of happiness for the rest.
First, I do have a white background and black font. Now that’s all squared away!
Second, what about a parents right to choose for their child? What do you think of that?
The font showed up grey on black. On my mobile at least. It’s good now, thanks.
I think parents should do their best to instill the kind of values they would hold for themselves. After that, it’s personal choice.
yo eff that! i don’t know about making it mandatory but i DO think ANY parent that wants to put THEIR child on birth control should be able to without fight or arguement.
i cannot personally wait for them to come up with better male birth control … then we’ll really be in business
are you kidding? Diane Garnick is a teen mom who was on welfare and she pulled herself out. not all welfare cases are doomed.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diane-Garnick/188133090053?ref=ts
There are tons of people who have come out from welfare. This blog doesn’t insinuate that at all. It asks the question – not formulates the answer – who has reproductive rights out of the parents of minor children. It also asks the question of should people who are in the welfare system seeking assistance for themselves and/or their children be prevented from having further children while they are receiving assistance. The topic was very much debated on several different levels by many different people during the broadcast. You can listen to it here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reginasuniverse/2009/12/01/mandatory-birth-control or on iTunes. Thanks!
Many parents already put their teen daughters on birth control. I don’t think it’s right to force anyone to be on birth control. In fact, I don’t like girls/women being on birth control at all. Like what Danielle posted above, Depo Provera and just about all hormonal contraceptives destroy women’s health. Plus I feel it’s unnatural for fertility to be medicated like a disease just for lining the pockets of the drug companies. Not to mention birth control was started by eugenicists like Margaret Sanger and it was originally for the poor, the disabled, the mentally impaired, and minorities. But it was later changed into a campaign for women’s rights.
This isn’t to say preventing unplanned pregnancies isn’t important, and I’m no fan of abstinence-only. The only birth control I find acceptable are barrier methods and condoms (if only people learn to use them the right way, there should be no problem). Sex doesn’t feel as good with a condom and it kind of ruins all spontaneity, but I love women and it’s something I’m willing to give up for my woman.
What do you think of mandatory birth control laws, Regina?