- Increased access: Providing birth control in high schools would increase access for students, especially those who may not have easy access to a doctor or clinic.
- Reduced teen pregnancies: Access to birth control can reduce teen pregnancies, which can have negative consequences for both the teen mother and the child.
- Improved sexual health: Access to birth control can help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, thus improving sexual health among teens.
- Education and awareness: Providing birth control in high schools can also be accompanied by comprehensive sex education, which can help students make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Cons:
- Parental consent: Some people believe that parents should have the right to decide whether their child uses birth control, and that providing it in high schools without parental consent interferes with parental rights.
- Encouraging sexual activity: Some argue that providing birth control in high schools might encourage teenagers to engage in sexual activity, which is not desirable.
- Religious objections: Some religious groups oppose birth control, and may object to it being distributed in high schools.
- Limited effectiveness: Birth control is not 100% effective, and there is concern that providing it in high schools might give students a false sense of security and lead to risky behavior.
- Cost: Providing birth control in high schools could be costly for schools and districts.