Aug 17, 2006
For two years, the FDA has delayed approval for the over-the-counter sale of an oral emergency contraceptive, Plan B. Plan B is a morning-after pill that prevents ovulation, fertilization, or implantation if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
Although supporters of the drug tout that Plan B will prevent pregnancy and, therefore, prevent abortions…we need to ask ourselves, “has wide-spread contraceptive use prevented abortion in the past?”
The answer is “no.”
Since mainstreaming oral contraceptives into the daily rhythm of life during the 1960s, promiscuity has increased, along with a growing disregard for the natural consequences associated with sexual intercourse (i.e. a child).
Proof of this point: in the first year after abortion was legalized nationwide (1974), the Guttmacher Institute, a leading advocate for birth control, counted 898,600 abortions. In 2002, over 1,293,000 abortions occurred in the United States.
Obviously, widespread availability of contraception does not stop abortion. These statistics even suggest that abortions increase with contraceptive use.
Promoting a contraceptive mentality is dangerous. It indoctrinates individuals to think that they can have sex whenever they want, with whomever they want, at any age they want, without any long-term effects. Plan B would only exacerbate this mindset.
We cannot continue to remedy this life crisis with band-aids and “back up plans” (the theme that gave Plan B its name). Today’s society is experiencing a slow and steady corrosion of the soul and we don’t even realize that it is happening. It is like the analogy of the frog and the pot of water. If you throw a frog into a boiling pot of water, it will jump out immediately because of the scalding temperature. However, if you place a frog in a pot of lukewarm water and turn on the burner, its body temperature adjusts as the water heats and it slowly dies without ever knowing it was in harm. Regarding abortion and contraception, we’ve been in a heated pot of water for over 45 years and we have to get out…quick.
This begins by addressing consequences of contraception including a generally lowering of morality, a loss of respect for ourselves and another’s personal dignity, ignorance about the sacredness of human sexuality, not to mention the abortive measures taken when contraception fails. Clearly, these are deep-seeded issues and a quick fix like an “emergency pill” isn’t going to help us get out of the boiling water!
Such a culture cannot and will not reform itself when given “tools” that further its own demise. We need to discard the mentality that “people are going to do it anyway, so let’s at least help them be safe.” Setting such a low standard is very detrimental, especially for teens.
Moreover, if the FDA grants over-the-counter status to Plan B, it will be as easy to purchase as a pack of gum at the local drug store. This easy access will have serious implications among the youth in our society.
For proof, we need only look to some European countries where morning-after contraception has been available for more than 20 years. Currently in Spain, 71% of the women using “emergency contraception” are under the age of 24 years. Easy access does correlate with increased promiscuity, especially with teens.
It’s time to rethink our approach to this serious issue. We don’t need more excuses or rationalizations as to why contraception is needed. Instead of relying on Plan B, we should be strengthening Plan A! Abstinence; Accountability; Authentic love! We must raise the bar in society and have the courage to teach responsibility, self-worth, and faithfulness.