Offering Contraceptives in High Schools Is Moral

Offering Contraceptives in High Schools is Moral

A common misconception about offering contraception (birth control pills, shots, or condoms) to teenagers is that it is immoral. Offering contraceptives in high schools to students is morally acceptable if the parents, who are suppose to teach the teenager what is acceptable, have given consent,it protects students that decide to have sex and because students might not have any resources outside of school to get birth control.

Offering contraceptives to students in high schools is morally acceptable if the parents have given the okay and it will not increase sexual activity for teens. For example, the Philadelphia school system caused uproars by offering free contraceptives in high schools. However, Dr. Donald F. Schwarz, Philadelphia’s health commissioner and deputy mayor for health will send letters to allow parents to turn down the contraception for their children (Kuruvilla). Therefore, parents have the option to say no for offering contraception. Many high schools New York have also decided to offer contraceptives. A poll has shown that only 1 percent to 2 percent of parents returned a form to opt out of the program (Anemona Hartocollis). Therefore, parents are okay with it. Meanwhile, many believe that offering contraceptives in high schools will encourage sex. However, Dr. Schwarz said, “There is no evidence in this country or in any other country that has studied this; that making contraception or condoms available in any way increases the rate of sexual behavior among young people,” (Kuruvilla). Therefore, offering contraceptives will not increase sexual activity amongst teenagers. With that being said, Parents set the mold for what is moral behavior for their children. If they allow their children to get contraception in school, then offering contraception in high schools is moral.

Some teenagers do not have a relationship with their parents that allows open conversation about sex. Offering...