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Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24
As for the debate about parental notification. I understand the point about some kids being so horrified of their parents not to ask. So I have this question. Your teens goes and gets an abortion. The pregnancy is terminated and she is no longer pregnant. You know nothing about it. Later she starts having complications. You are freaking out because you have no idea what the hell is going on. Is that something you want to find out in an ER? She wont be pregnant then and will be back to being a minor that needs medical treatment. Hormonal birth control--Most ladies dont suffer side effects. Some suffer very dangerous side effects. I'll use stroke for example (and a higher risk if woman smokes). Your child gets hormonal birth control from wherever without your knowledge. Some time goes by and she has a stroke. Your freak out wondering how she had a stroke so young. later you find out it was caused from birth control that you didnt know she was taking. Is that another scenario you want to find out about after the fact? There are side effects with implants. Do you want to find out your daughter had an implant after the fact if it gets infected and needs medical treatment?
I would prefer my children to wait, preferably until marriage but definitely until college. Whiel this isnt the case for all parents I'm more than happy to help them get birth control and whatever exams they need. But I WOULD BE FURIOUS if someone did those things without my consent/knowledge with the side effects/complications that can go with those. I've seen too much as a nurse in private practice with high risk groups to budge from that opinion.
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I think as a parent (though I don't have any kids) I would want my children to be honest with me about what they are doing, but not all children have those types of relationships with their parents. I don't think my parents would have reacted logically to a request by any of my siblings to start using birth control. Hell...my parents called me daily for three months freaking out when they found out that at 24 I was living with my fiance! It didn't stop until I put my foot down that I was old enough to make my own decisions.
Birth control pills definitely do have some side effects. They are RARE, but they do happen. If you agreed to give your child OCPs to prevent pregnancy would you feel any less upset than if you had not given your consent? Would your really tell your daughter, "I'm sorry, I won't give you birth control pills because there is a 1 in 100,000 risk that you could get a stroke." Is preventing pregnancy not a valid reason to take that type of risk? Kids can already take over the counter medications without the consent of parents, which in many cases have many more risks and side effects than OCPs which have been proven as safe. OCPs have almost been made over the counter drugs on multiple occasions. They are that safe. The only reason they are still prescription is because OB-GYNs argue that they will not be able to get women to come in yearly for their Pap Smears if they can't withhold OCPs. Do you think you'll have any say when they inevitably go over the counter?
I applaud your actions with your son. Unfortunately, too many people have a double standard for their daughters.