Plan B is not the end of the world

Anytime I hear that something has outraged the Concerned Women for America (CWA), I must admit, I do get butterflies inside. The current topic getting the CWA's panties in a twist is the FDA's compliance with a federal judge's order to provide the emergency contraception pill "Plan B" to everyone 17 and older without a prescription. This order was made by a federal court March 23, and will take effect in a few weeks.

The way that Plan B works is that if taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, it is almost 90 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. It consists of two pills and costs $35 to $60. According to the FDA's Web site, "Plan B works like other birth control pills to prevent pregnancy." It stops the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation), preventing the sperm from ever fertilizing the egg, so anyone who mistakenly believes that it's the same thing as abortion can rejoice.

The site goes on to say that, "If fertilization does occur, Plan B may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb (implantation). If a fertilized egg is implanted prior to taking Plan B, Plan B will not work." This means that Plan B will have no effect on a woman who is already pregnant.

The same argument made against giving condoms to teens is being used in opposition to this new law. Many people believe that by allowing 17-year-olds access to this pill, sexual activity among teens will increase. As we already know from providing comprehensive sex education and birth control to teens, this claim is completely false.

I'm not a parent, but I can understand a parent wanting to know what is going on in their children's lives and wanting to be notified if their daughter decides to take Plan B. I know that there are many good, understanding parents out there, and I understand and respect their concern. I also know that there are many parents out there whom, if their daughter came to them asking for permission to get Plan B, would strike her down without hesitation.

Many parents would disown their daughter if they found out she was sexually active, not to mention the physical abuse many teenage girls are subjected to in certain cultures when parents discover their daughter's "promiscuity" (a.k.a. normal teenage behavior). For the sake of privacy, I believe that this law is a step forward for women and girls everywhere.

If parents want to know that their children are making smart decisions regarding sexual behavior, parents need to begin discussion about sex with their children when they're young, and continue that discussion as they grow up. "The talk" should never be just that. It should be an ongoing discussion throughout children's lives. I believe that open and honest discussion about these issues is the best method for parents who are concerned about what their teenagers are doing.

In researching this issue, I came across many uneducated and unfounded claims about what will happen now that the pill is available to 17-year-olds. One comment by "Leticha" read, "This truly gives the rapists, pediphiles etc, the 'green light' to victimize their prey and as an afterthought, toss out the pill to make sure the inevitable doesn't happen." First of all, "Leticia," learn to spell "pedophile." Second, you know, I'm sure rapists are so excited about this Plan B fiasco.

A little known fact about rapists is that they are actually expert planners. Before they set out on their raping escapades, there is one essential factor with which they all comply: they must have their rape kits ready! What, you ask, do these rape kits include? Well, one important thing is gloves-one can never be too careful in leaving behind fingerprints. Second, condoms are a must, as they prevent a different kind of "fingerprint" from being left behind. And last, but certainly the most important, a rapist never forgets to pack some extra Plan B pills-the last thing he needs is more offspring he'll never think or care about.

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I highly doubt that rapists are concerned with whether their victims become pregnant. Plan B is not going to increase rape by being available to one more age group. But the person who wrote the above quote obviously doesn't realize how ridiculous a notion that is.

For those of you who have a problem with Plan B being available to minors, I urge you to do all you can to support family planning programs, because education about safe sex is the most effective method in decreasing unintended pregnancies and thus, the need for emergency contraception.