The morning after pill dilemma

[ramboondiea]

yes providing the pill was the right choice, her idiocy shouldnt lead to a possible pregnancy at that age however her parents should also be informed.
however the government should not be encouraging sex and a punishment should be imposed, perhaps a public humiliation like community service ect

 

[asinann]

The only people that would think this wrong are the American Religious Right. Whack jobs think that preventing teenage pregnancy encourages teen sex when it just makes it safer when you educate them.

 

[Timmey]

I think you made the right decision, it is far better for her to have the pill then to get pregnant. Also note they were unlucky that the condom broke, she had intended to use protection.

 

[Neuromaster]

You made the right choice. Withholding the pill unless the parents are informed just drives her away from safe medical help.

Incidentally, the BMA agrees: "If a child goes to a doctor for advice they are entitled to confidentiality if they are mature enough to be taking decisions about their own health. That is for the doctor to assess. The older a child gets, the greater must be the presumption in favour of confidentiality. If a doctor suspects child abuse, however, there is a legal obligation to protect that child from abuse."

 

[Jaded Scribe]

At least in America, consent laws are in place to prevent statutory rape, particularly in high school (seniors dating/having sex with freshmen). Letter of the law aside, this is what it's meant to do.

Given that they were both underage, any contact to the authorities could have just ended with both of them being charged (for acts on the other), and possibly being labeled a sex offender.

As for contacting the parents, I say you did the right thing by not. If a girl is not willing to talk to her parents, there very well could be a reason. I knew several girls at my high school that were thrown out of their homes for fooling around. Putting more teenagers on the streets is not the way to go.

It also discourages girls from coming forward, and will look to back-alley abortions, DIY coat hanger solutions, throwing themselves downstairs, etc etc etc. None of these are safe or desirable.

You did the right thing.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Priiiiiiiiiick.

I was being snide more than I was being serious.

-m

 

[LiftYourSkinnyFists]

Priiiiiiiiiick.

I was being snide more than I was being serious.

-m

Snide is also known as being a prick.

-l

 

[Matt_LRR]

Priiiiiiiiiick.

I was being snide more than I was being serious.

-m

Snide is also known as being a prick.

-l

Perhaps, but it's also well defined by what you're doing right now.

-m

 

[DuctTapeJedi]

snip

While I strongly believe that the average 14 year old is too young for that sort of behavior, it's the duty of a medical care provider to take care of the patient, and not judge them.

 

[Matt_LRR]

Priiiiiiiiiick.

I was being snide more than I was being serious.

-m

Snide is also known as being a prick.

-l

Perhaps, but it's also well defined by what you're doing right now.

-m

You're both snide pricks.

I can live with that. (abortions for some, miniature ameircan flags for others!)

-m

 

[Sejs Cube]

It is not the role of the pharmacist to make any sort of decision as to whether or not someone gets dispensed the medication that they request, qualify for, and purchase. Period.

It is no more the role of the pharmacist to make a moral choice into whether a 14 year old girl gets the morning after pill than it is to decide if a diabetic person gets their insulin.

Likewise it is not the place of the pharmacy to notify the parents, that is an issue that rests solely between the parties who, in the case of a minor, have share in the caretaking of that individual. Namely that minor's parents/guardian, and the state. A pharmacy is neither, I'm afraid.

 

[archvile93]

I really think it's incredibly stupid to not supply someone with a pregnancy prevetion pill because they shouldn't be getting pregnant. I mean how does that logic work? Yes I think your pharmacy made the right call.

 

[Sara Fontaine]

It was the right decision. Teenagers are gonna mess around once they discover they can and more importantly, that they actually want to, whether people feel it's being 'endorsed' or not. I'd rather that they make a mistake or have an accident with the condom failing where they can get it sorted out discreetly and independantly, rather than being denied that chance if the parents get involved and they start to take over decision making instead of letting the teenager have their say. I'm much happier knowing that there's the option they can take themselves instead of either being frogmarched to have an abortion or being forced to keep the child against their will.

 

[Jibblejab]

This may shock all of you, but us 14/15 year olds actually do have common sense and generally know what were getting into when we put ourselves in certain situations.

You can all bang on about "underage sex is bad" and how the pharmacy "should inform the girls parents so they can talk about it" but really, as a general rule of thumb teens of our age have sex because we are mature enough to do so and because we want to do it.

So why persecute us for trying to do it safely and why persecute us for being mature enough to handle such an issue?

 

[Matt_LRR]

our age have sex because we are mature enough to do so

Speaking as a person who was 14 or 15 not that long ago, that is bullshit.

As mature as you might percieve yourself to be, the fact is you still have a lot of growing up to do. You may be physically mature enough to have sex but you (in general) are in no way prepared to deal with the consequenses - which is why adults are always trying to stop teens from having sex at all.


that said - I have a lot of respect for teens that handle their sexual activity responsibly (particularly how much jugmental horseshit is spewed at teens by abstinence advocates and conservative parents and politicians). You're still playing with fire, but at least you're taking steps to prevent the building burning down around you. And knowing the kinds of situations that teen sexuality can bring about - I'm in full support of sexual education and the accessibility of sexual health options. The least adults can do is help you young'uns make the smarter choices, rather than throw you all under the bus.

-m