Abstract
This paper discusses birth control choices, and gives my reason for preferring estrogen and progestin based pills/patches/rings. It discusses the benefits of this methods with regard to four criteria: protects the rare new life formed while the method is in use; protects maternal health; is reversible; and is effective.
1. In considering the four criteria, I chose pills/patches/rings.
2. This choice is the most appropriate because: with most brands no new life is harmed (CDC, 2015, n.p.); there are minimal implications for maternal health, and none for paternal health (Medicine Plus, 2016, n.p.); it is reversible (Medicine Plus, 2016, n.p.); and it is 99% effective (CDC, 2015, n.p.).
3. One limitation is that some brands may work by causing early abortion of a fertilised egg (Bible.org, 2001, n.p.) which is contentious with regard to scripture; however, with the use of contraceptives being nearly universal amongst Christians (Carlson, 2010, p. 1), this remains the best synthesis of the four criteria.
- Bible.org (2001, January 1). “What does the Bible Say about Birth Control?” Retrieved from: https://bible.org/question/what-does-bible-say-about-birth-control.
- Carlson, A. C. (2012). Godly Seed: American Evangelicals Confront Birth Control, 1873-1973. New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2015). “How Effective are Birth Control Methods.” Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm.
- Medicine Plus: U. S. National Library of Medicine (2016). “Birth Control.” Retrieved from: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html.