The Washington Post has posted its opinion. Here is the background part for your consideration:
WHEN U.S. District Judge Edward Korman ruled last month that the government had to allow unrestricted, over-the-counter access to the emergency contraceptive Plan B, it seemed as though the Obama administration had stumbled its way out of a political quandary. Scientists say that the drug is safe for over-the-counter sale; in fact, the judge noted, it would be among the safest of over-the-counter drugs. But many parents — President Obama included, by his own account — are queasy about children being allowed to buy emergency contraceptives without oversight. The court forced the government to act on evidence, not queasiness.
Or maybe not. On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the latest version of Plan B will still be subject to age restrictions. Girls younger than 15 will have to get a prescription to buy a one-pill dose of the drug. This is contrary to the spirit of Judge Korman’s decision, even if the FDA can argue that it follows the letter of the law, since his ruling applies only to an earlier, two-dose version of the drug. On Wednesday, the Justice Department gave notice that it would appeal the judge’s decision, an effort that could make the FDA’s 15-year-old age limit the least restrictive rule on the books for any form of emergency contraception.
The judge has ruled in favor of science rather than emotion. Yet, the Obama administration is acting, in part, on emotion. Should there be any age restrictions on Plan B? Can’t 14 year olds also get pregnant? Isn’t the desired outcome for them not to get pregnant? Can they be harmed by this drug? Science says no. Do you trust science totally?
On the other hand, should parents be brought into the loop if the girl doesn’t want them involved? Why is a 15 year old any more capable of buying emergency contraception than a 14-year old? How private is the transaction if a girl has to show her ID? How reliable is the ID? Don’t kids have all sorts of fake ID? Plan B costs between $40 and $60. It isn’t something you spend your allowance on, unless allowances have really increased a lot in recent years.
This is a tough one for me. My science-self says open up the sales to anyone. My Parent-self says absolutely not. What do YOU say?
If a 14 or 15 year old is pregnant, a crime has occurred. If a kid can’t have an aspirin at school, why are they allowed this without parental involvement?
Cargo, you are assuming that the school is involved. I don’t know why. Schools aren’t involved. Plan B is sold where condoms are sold.
If two kids have sex at 17, no crime. If 2 kids have sex both age 14, no crime. I don’t think arresting someone is the answer.
I will be honest, I dont know what the answer is. Mores are so different regarding this issue since was a teen.
Too many parents have abdicated their parental responsibilities already – look around, look at the schools. Why would “the government” encourage and support it?
The government isn’t encouraging or supporting it. They are ruling that it can’t be kept from girls because of their age. Can a 14 year old boy go in the grocery store and buy condoms? Of course. Plan B was released to over the counter from prescription. I don’t consider that encouraging or supporting any more than I did when my zantac was made OTC.
Disagree completely with that interpretation. Completely and definitely 🙂
“The Feds should set the age equal to whatever the legal age of consent is in the individual states”-says the pragmatic me. “Not until they are 18 or are a legally emancipated minor” says the parent me.
If our objective is to not have pregnant teenagers, I think we need to wear science hats and social hats. <---- not sure if that is the word I would choose. As parents and grandparents I think we are blind to a great deal that goes on with our kids and grandkids and their friends. I think the secret is to never let your kid out of your sight. 7th graders have sex and drug parties. 6th graders do one your knees service in the boys bathroom and stair wells. Lord knows what elementary kids do. I am just very glad I don't have the responsibility of raising a child in today's times. It was rough enough when mine came along. Mine were mild compared to many. Some parents go through a real rein of terror with their kids. We are talking responsible parents. Then you get to the ones who don't seem to care. It takes your breath away.
Yes, it takes your breath away.
I have no idea whether the drug itself can harm you, but perhaps having a dependence on the drug may well do so in the future. The CDC has been up on the Hill recently asking for emergency research money to fight something they see coming down our American pike possibly very soon: an antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea which has the capability to kill. Condoms or abstinence anyone?
Wolverine, you can say condoms or abstinence til the cows come home, as the old expression goes. That is just something we have no control over. If the older generations could control abstainence, I am sure they would have been doing it over the millenia.
You aren’t going to get dependent on Plan B. At $40 a pop it is not a repeat use thing unless you have a really large allowance. At some point, going on the pill would make more sense.
When I was in college there was a rumor about some navy hospital ship out circling the globe that had troops with gonnorrhea infections that were incurable. They were never going to land. Obviously that was just a tall tale but we always wondered…you know…that old south east Asia clap…..
Moon, we all know that far too many contemporary kids have gotten beyond the reach of normal argument in a society which has become an open sexual sewer. But it will be most unfortunate and sad if this CDC warning comes true, and those same kids get a different sort of convincing through example. No pill, morning-after, regular conception, whatever, is protection in this case. Neither is oral sex, where gonorrhea is already making a much larger mark.
It is too bad that none of the government or judicial “adults” in this particular case have bothered to add these warnings to the discussion about age and the morning-after pill. Much of the reporting reads like some sort of liberation day for teens in trouble, with NOW even calling for no age limit at all. I guess the kids just might have to learn the hard way that some liberation comes with a big, big price.
i think a great deal is being made about STDs in every sex ed class in the nation where such topics haven’t been stamped out. Those kinds of classes are being defunded left and right. Education of kids today should be comprehensive. it should involve topics to avoid disease, preserve self esteem, and pregnancy prevention. Usually these goals are best achieved when the kids have goals.
If a judge got up and started preaching, how many kids would listen?
We heard the same story while in Vietnam, only our version had those guys left in-country forever and never allowed to come home because of the potential contagion. Who knew? It was a crazy time. Come to think of it, George might be able to add some light………..unless he was sworn to eternal silence.
That’s exactly the same story we heard.
@Wolverine
@George George…can you add something to this discussion for vintage Americans?