The Banning of Contraceptives

The Banning of Contraceptives is Unconstitutional and Ironically Benefits Religion

            In 1776 our founding fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence, marking the start of this nation. They founded this country on a few critical ideas, one of which was separation of church and state. Although for some reason, so many people that claim to be “proud Americans” want to dictate the laws in this country based on their personal religious beliefs. A prime example of this is the latest hot topic being discussed in the current political debates: contraceptives. Certain religious leaders and republican candidate, Rick Santorum, have expressed a great concern for President Obama’s plan to require employers to include birth control in their health care to employees. It would allow women to access birth control more cheaply. This idea is a wonderful idea and must be implemented immediately.

            Many republicans oppose this idea because of their religious beliefs. What they are failing to realize is that religious beliefs cannot have any basis for our laws. The First Amendment prevents any establishment of religion. To outlaw contraceptives because the Catholic Church does not approve of them would be a direct violation of the United States Constitution, the document that our country was founded on.

There are many reasons to be in favor or contraceptives, including the “morning after pill.” One major reason is this: it will decrease abortions. One of the issues that republicans feel strongest about is abortion. Well what do you think might help prevent abortions? Correct, birth control helps prevent pregnancy which, in turn, prevents more abortions. If females have cheaper and easier access to these pills then the rate of pregnancy would see an impressive drop which would lead to a major drop in abortions. For some reason, this does not make sense to many of these “genius” republican candidates.

There is a major misconception about the “morning after pill.” This pill is not anything similar to an abortion. According to Plan B One-Step, the makers of the pill, “Plan B One-Step® is one pill that has a higher dose of levonorgestrel, a hormone found in many birth control pills that healthcare professionals have been prescribing for more than 35 years. Plan B One-Step® works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. Plan B One-Step® will not affect an existing pregnancy.” The Mayo Clinic supports this, saying this exact same thing as well. Simply put, the pill does not kill a baby or end a pregnancy, it simply does what birth control does, it prevents conception. The pill is just a higher dosage of birth control medicine and prevents pregnancy, nothing less and nothing more. This major myth that most people believe to be true is the reason for many people’s objection. So, if the “morning after pill” is no different than any other form of birth control pill or condom then why object? There simply is no reason that does not conflict with our country’s Constitution.

Another reason why contraceptives should most certainly be readily available to females is because we cannot dictate what other people chose to do with their body. A woman owns her body and no one else does (although some extreme conservatives wish they could still own people). We cannot control what a woman choses to do, and why should we? If a woman choses to use birth control how are we effected? We are not. This country was founded on the idea of equality and freedom. By stripping a woman’s right to medicine (as birth control is a form of medicine) this is stripping away a freedom. Many of the people that want to outlaw birth control are the same people that want to own guns because it is a right granted to them as a United States’ citizen. This is complete hypocrisy because you cannot advocate for some freedoms but advocate against others. These people claim to be “proud Americans” yet they want to abort the most important idea that this country was founded on. Taking away a woman’s right whether it is birth control, abortions, voting, etc. is no different than taking away rights from black people or gay people. Sadly, they have successfully (for now) taken rights away from the homosexuals in this country.

The idea of banning birth controls of any form is a terrible idea for political parties as well as any religion, or lack thereof. Giving women easier and cheaper access to birth control will reduce abortions and not take away anyone’s rights. Birth control is a wonderful thing and it is already too difficult for women to achieve. Would you be happy if your medical rights were taken away? What if someone said you could not go to the doctor? Or, what if doctors did not prescribe medicine to cure you because their religion did not condone that drug? Every woman should have the right to protect their body.

Works Cited

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Morning-after Pill." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation, 19 Aug. 2010. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/morning-after-pill/MY01190>.

Plan B One-Step. Advertisement. Plan B One-Step®: Home. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://www.planbonestep.com/?utm_source=google>.