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Male or Female: Birth Control
Should they be equal partners in preventing pregnancy?
When two people have sex, who makes sure they don’t get pregnant? And, who should be responsible for making sure no one gets pregnant?
Women have many contraceptive options. However, some of them have serious side effects. The pill, for example, can lead to infertility issues down the line and has been linked to depression and mood swings. The IUD has caused perforated uteruses and copper poisoning. The diaphragm can lead to genital irritation and burning while urinating.
Men just have one option, the condom. The only side effect — some men think they make sex less fun. It’s also not as reliable at preventing pregnancy as the pill. However, it’s a dual purpose item — it also helps prevent STDs. And it’s cheaper then the pill or IUDs or diaphragms. Plus it comes in different flavors and textures…
If there was a male pill that prevented pregnancy, would men be willing to give it a try? What if the male pill carried similar side effects to a woman’s contraceptive pill?
Should it be the woman who has to deal with the costs of preventing a pregnancy? Or should both partners cooperate? Split the costs and the side effects?
