I am doing a persuasive research paper on teenagers being able to get birth control without parental permission. I believe it is wonderful that teens can take responsibility and protect themselves. Can you send me your opinion? It would be wonderful.
Thank you, Ashlie
Freshman, Chesapeake College

Thanks for your note to FEMINIST.COM--and for your support of teenagers' rights to get birth control without their parents' permission. I look at it this way--whether we want to admit it or not, teenagers are having sex--often at what I consider a very young age--12 or so. However, when I was almost that young and having sex, I didn't think of myself as that young.

The point is that teenagers are going to have sex whether or not it's appropriate/acceptable for them to do so. Then, the most we can hope for is that they have safe/protected sex--to prevent unwanted/planned pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. If we put barriers in the way of teenagers--such as parental consent for birth control--then they will simply take greater risks rather than stop having sex. Therefore, it's important that we leave this right and with it information, in the hands of the kids rather than the adults.

—Amy