Double Standard Behind Male Birth Control | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Double Standard Behind Male Birth Control

Mood swings, muscle pain, acne...

Hannah Petronek
Nov 08, 2016
Wheeling, West Virginia
9
Double Standard Behind Male Birth Control
hercampus.com

It is well-known that women have many options when it comes to pregnancy prevention. In addition, it is also well-known that both men and women have a role in pregnancy. So why are men limited on their forms of contraception, right? Shouldn't pills, shots, and patches be available for men also? A male birth control shot was produced and was proven to be 96% effective. So why don't we have access to it if it is proven to be safe and effective? The research was ceased because men were experiencing side effects like mood swings, acne, changes in libido, etc; these are all side effects that women experience as well, but they can't handle it? Double standard, huh?

It is always the woman who has to be in charge of her reproductive health, if she slips and becomes unexpectedly pregnant, society is against her decision to get rid of the baby somehow. Shouldn't men have a responsibility when it comes to safe sex beyond a condom? Women struggle with many hormonal issues due to our body's chemistry. Why can men not put up with the same symptoms and side effects? And what is the harm in making sure you're extra safe should you want to be preventing pregnancy?

To further my claim, why would be holding back on male birth control during teen years specifically? Girls from the onset of puberty can choose to take birth control. Why are we so worried that boys' puberty will be altered due to the birth control? It would not be any different than hormone regulation. Teen pregnancy is high. We can't sit around and claim that "abstinence is the best birth control". Teens and young adults need to be well-educated on safe sex and their contraceptive options. Why is male birth control being held back when it could potentially prevent many teen pregnancies?

Men are extremely privileged in this world, especially when sexual health or reproduction is involved. They get to make all of the decisions, it seems, even though the women are the ones who have to carry a baby or make sure they don't get pregnant. Why are men excluded from this responsibility? It baffles me.



Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

6 Unrealistic Expectations Society Has For Young Adults

Don't let the thesaurus-inspired vocabularies in our résumés fool you. We're actually just big kids.

University of Dayton
2026
boy in adult clothes

Well over four feet tall and 100 pounds in weight, many of us "young adults" of the world still consider ourselves children. Big, working, college-attending, beer-drinking children. We may live on our own, know how to cook noodles, and occasionally use a planner, but don't be fooled; the youthful tendencies that reside within us still make their way into our daily lives. From choosing to stay up until 3:00 a.m. playing video games on a school night to going out in 30 degree weather without a coat, we still make decisions that our parents and grandparents would shake their heads at in disappointment. So why are we expected to know exactly how to be a wise, professional, sensible adult? It's not that we're irresponsible (for the most part, anyway). It's that we are young, inexperienced, and still have the sought-after, enthusiastic mentality that we can do and be whatever we want, which has not yet been tarnished by the reality of the world. These are just a few of the unrealistic expectations that society has for young adults.

Keep Reading...Show less
young adults
Lifestyle

20 Reasons Why Pizza Is Basically Everyone's Best Friend

Seriously, who wouldn't love pizza?

Ball State University
2021
pizza
Fandango

There are a lot of foods in this world, but there is only one dish that stands above the rest: Pizza. If you're close to me or at least know who I am, then you know that I'm totally obsessed with pizza. It's one of my favorite things to eat and I will NEVER turn down a slice, even if it doesn't have my favorite toppings. There isn't a day that goes by where I'm not thinking about pizza. I even sleep with a pizza pillow every night! There are many reasons why pizza stands above all other foods, and here are just a couple reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
pizza
Swoon

Why I Love Being Single (And You Should, Too)

Dedicated to February 14

Truman State University
24590
sex and the city
Warner Bros. Television

1. You don't have to feel guilty about flirting with customers for tips (or just for shits and giggles).

2. You can be obnoxiously flirtatious with anyone you want. You are free to be that girl that flirts with everybody and makes 'em all smile (it's especially fun when the guy is as cute as Collin Jost). No shame.

3. Making random men nervous with your superior beauty and intense eye contact just for the hell of it is really amusing and empowering.

4. No one gives two poops if ya legs are hairy (your man shouldn't either but *Kermit the Frog meme* That's none of my business)

5. The toilet seat will remain down.

6. There's more money to spend on yourself.

7. There's always this secret butterfly in your tummy that marvels at the possibility that when you go out this weekend you're gonna meet someone super handsome/wonderful/prince-like and have this moment of dazzling dalliance.

8. Nothing is that serious...you can take it all with a grain of salt...you don't owe anybody anything.

9. You can dance with anyone and everyone...or no one (Hello frat boi w/ glasses, I see you).

10. You don't have to fluff anyone's ego but your own.

11. Free drinks and dinners from single guys (It's not taking advantage if they're offering; a girl's gotta eat).

12. You have more time to learn how to love and improve yourself rather than constantly pouring your energy into another person.

13. You don't have to sacrifice your cheesy Jen Aniston rom-coms and Gilmore Girls for his Fast and Furious/other dumb action movie featuring blonde that is only in the movie to supply a relationship to the male lead and to make him look more masculine/empowered in juxtaposition (In other words, you don't have to deal with a guy being a crabby Patty while you watch your cute movies).

14. You can daydream about what your future husband may be doing right now (and not get stressed/guilty out because you're not picturing your current boyfriend that's crazy about you as your future husband).

15. There is more time to be spent with your girlfriends.

single life
Entertainment

How Girls Night Out Turns Into Girls Night In

To go out or not to go out this Friday night...

Washington College
490
Girls Night In
Milk + Blush

We've all been there - you've been saying since Tuesday after French that this weekend is the weekend. You're finally going to break out those new heels and actually put on eyeliner on and make this Friday night be one for the memory books! That is, of course, until Girls Night Out turned into...Girls Night In.

Keep Reading...Show less
night out
Entertainment

What Is Your Zodiac GIF?

Characteristics of the astrological signs, explained through GIFS.

Eastern New Mexico University
760
zodiac
Wordpress

Whether you believe astrology is a legitimate "science" or not, we have all found ourselves looking at our horoscopes from time to time. The 12 astrological signs all fall under one of four elements: air, water, earth, or fire. Air signs are rational, social, and love to communicate with others. Water signs are are emotional, intuitive, and mysterious. Fire signs tend to be passionate, creative, and adventurous. Earth signs are conservative, realistic, and loyal.

Each sign is determined by the relative positions of celestial bodies to ourselves at our moment of birth, which is said to influence our personalities. Find your zodiac GIF below, based on the traits and characteristics provided by each sign.

***Disclaimer: GIFS are meant to be lighthearted and are based on descriptions of signs from http://www.astrology-zodiac-signs.com/.

Keep Reading...Show less
zodiac signs

Trending Topics

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments