Hmm, well I think a parent should know if a child is on medication so they don't mix meds that shouldn't be. But that's not quite the full scope of this question.
Teenager begins at 13, I don't think a 13 year old should be taking medication without oversight.
Funny how this question is specifically about pills. Not condoms or any other form of contraception. Giving a teenager condoms without parental consent, or informing the parent, doesn't bother me at all. My concern is taking a medication that has side effects on it's own and potential side effects when mixed with other medications.
Since a form of birth control pills may relatively soon be sold OTC I think your argument is less persuasive. I agree for other medications but both because of the issues with teenagers being sexually active and the relative safety of this kind of contraceptive, I think the argument that parental notification should not be required is supportable.
I didn't know this was going OTC. If/when that is the case, then I feel the consent/notification shouldn't be required.
I have no experience with birth control pills so I wasn't sure how severe side effects could be, or the potential effects of mixing meds. My concerns have nothing to do with what the scrip is for, just the potential adverse effects.
Are the side effects so minimal and/or mild that you think the fact The Pill isn't OTC is largely influenced by WHAT it does rather than other factors? Meaning the "morality" of The Pill is what's been keeping it off the standard shelves.
I seriously doubt it's going OTC. Some groups are pushing for it, but I am pretty skeptical. It's a serious medication, it's not exactly like picking up a bottle of Pepto.
Re: here via public responsesmondragonJuly 20 2010, 19:52:51 UTC
You are absolutely right and I knew that; I should have said "The only reason a teenager would be taking birth control pills without her parents knowing
It's the version you took - with estrogen - that wouldn't be available OTC.
There might be some parents who want to make sure that their child is using birth control pills and not relying on condom use - of course somewhat rare I'd suppose..
Since just about the only reason a parent would want to know is to try and stop her...
Not all of us parents of daughters are puritanical nitwits. My daughter and I shared (and still share) a pretty frank and open relationship -- something that many parents cannot say. That's the big crime here.
Blissfully, the circumstances where birth control pills would become necessary never arose while she was a teen. If it had, however, I can say with confidence that we would have gone to the doctor together for medication.
I went back and clarified that these statements were made in the context of young women wanting to not have their parents notified. I know there are a refreshingly large number of parents who do have the sort of relationship you're talking about.
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Teenager begins at 13, I don't think a 13 year old should be taking medication without oversight.
Funny how this question is specifically about pills. Not condoms or any other form of contraception. Giving a teenager condoms without parental consent, or informing the parent, doesn't bother me at all. My concern is taking a medication that has side effects on it's own and potential side effects when mixed with other medications.
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I have no experience with birth control pills so I wasn't sure how severe side effects could be, or the potential effects of mixing meds. My concerns have nothing to do with what the scrip is for, just the potential adverse effects.
Are the side effects so minimal and/or mild that you think the fact The Pill isn't OTC is largely influenced by WHAT it does rather than other factors? Meaning the "morality" of The Pill is what's been keeping it off the standard shelves.
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As well, the pill is supposed to help minimize the intrusiveness of your period, it's worked for a lot of people, anyway...
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It's the version you took - with estrogen - that wouldn't be available OTC.
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Not all of us parents of daughters are puritanical nitwits. My daughter and I shared (and still share) a pretty frank and open relationship -- something that many parents cannot say. That's the big crime here.
Blissfully, the circumstances where birth control pills would become necessary never arose while she was a teen. If it had, however, I can say with confidence that we would have gone to the doctor together for medication.
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