Emergency Contraception

“The sperm
and the ovum can’t get together. It prevents the ovulation
in the first place. So it is not a pill that does abortion. It
is not that at all. It prevents the pregnancy from getting established
in the beginning.”
– Michael K. Levine, MD, Pediatrician

“Many times these forms actually act to kill a little
tiny human embryo that has already been formed.”
– Mary Boyert, Pro-Life Director, Archdiocese of Atlanta

Plan B—-it’s
a hormone pill like birth control. When taken up to five days after
sex, it can prevent pregnancy. 16-year-old Garret Mahon says, “It
would be a good thing to have, because pregnancy is pretty tough
for girls, especially at a young age.” Classmate Tim Reidy
says, “I’d rather just have the baby. And it sucks
for the teen, but it’s their fault.”

The question—is using Plan B a kind of abortion? The Academy
of Pediatrics says no. Dr. Michael K. Levine, a pediatrician in
metro-Atlanta says, “The sperm and the ovum can’t get
together. It prevents the ovulation in the first place. So it is
not a pill that does abortion. It is not that at all. It prevents
the pregnancy from getting established in the beginning.”

Pro-life advocates disagree. Mary Boyert, Pro-life Director
for the Archdiocese of Atlanta says, “Many times these forms
actually act to kill a little tiny human embryo that has already
been formed.”

The Academy says the pills can prevent 80 percent of pregnancies, and they
are safe. Dr. Levine says, “The only side effects that may
occur is that the teenager may after taking the pill become nauseated
or vomit.” And, according to the Academy of Pediatrics, studies
show teens who are told about Plan B are not more likely
to have unprotected sex. 19-year-old Kasumi Kato says, “I
think that if I was set on not having sex or having sex, it would
be the same either way no matter what the options were.”

But some teens disagree. 18-year-old Ashley Henry says, “It’s
probably going to make teen girls have sex more since they know
there’s a way to fix it without getting an abortion.”

Many experts say the best advice is for parents to discuss your
family’s values with your children…and your
doctor. Boyert says, “Make sure that the moral values that
they hold and the moral values that the doctor may hold agree.”

Plan B is approved by the FDA—and available by prescription
only. Doctors say it’s most effective if taken within 72 hours
of unprotected sex. Teens who take the medication are advised to
see their physician 2 weeks later for a pregnancy test.

Consider the following statistics regarding adolescent pregnancies:

• The average age of first menstruation has fallen significantly
  in the last century. In 1840 it was 16.5; by the early 1990s it
  was 12.8. Therefore, today’s adolescent women who experiment
  sexually are more likely to become pregnant at much younger ages.
• For young people today, the time between the onset of puberty,
  fertility and the natural intensification of sexual feelings versus
  the point of marriage and economic independence spans many years.
  Therefore, people are engaging in sexual intercourse earlier in
  life.
• In late adolescence (17 to 21 years old), one is capable of
  forming mutually caring, intimate relationships based on trust,
  responsibility and consequences, and making individual decisions
  about sex.
• One-third of teen boys admit feeling peer pressure to have sex.
  Most teens say waiting to have sex is a “nice idea,” but
  few wait. Nearly two-thirds of teens have sex before they graduate
  high school and 20 percent have sex before age 15.
• Forty percent of sexually active teens have taken a pregnancy
  test or had a partner who did so.

Children who feel they can talk to their parents
about sex are less likely to engage in high-risk behavior. If you are uncomfortable
with discussing the topic with your child, consider the websites listed below,
reading books on the subject, or talking with a trusted friend, relative,
physician or clergy member. It’s okay to share your discomfort with
your child; but it is very important to broach the subject with them, so
they know they can come to you with questions. Some suggestions in talking
with your child about sex include …

• Visiting www.talkingwithkids.org/sex.html,
  which contains comprehensive information for parents.
• Visiting sites — like www.positive.org and www.scarleteen.com — with
  your child to stimulate discussion, to learn facts together, and
  to make sure the sites are legal and age-appropriate.
• Starting sexual discussion at an early age with simple, biological
  facts. Also, mention responsibility and the emotional aspects of
  sexual relationships.
• Speaking in an accurate and age-appropriate manner.
• Communicating your values.

American Journal
of Public Health
The American Psychological
Association
Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
Coalition for Positive Sexuality
Planned Parenthood
Federation of America, Inc.
Scarlet Teen
Talk With Your Kids