Should parents put their teenage girls on birth control?

Don't put your daughter on the pill. Tell her she can visit the family doctor with privacy or a planned parenthood clinic. Make sure she has information, about human sexuality in general and specifically the kinds of pressure that is excerted on young women. Trust her judgment,
she is your daughter after all, trust yourself.

Been there done that, and asked myself the very same questions you are asking yourself right now. I tend to agree with Cena, I would tell her it's not the thing to do, BUT, make sure she knows the number of planned parenthood or family Doctor.

Its better to prevent, rather than to end up having a child raise a child, adoption, or an abortion.

It could depend a little on how close you are to her and how much she will confide in you. However, even if she does not intend to have sex, or plans to use means to keep from getting pregnant, it only takes a few minutes at the wrong time for something to happen.

I don't think anyone can answer your question for you.

Lisa, I have two girls. Neither one close to being a teenager yet. Thank God! Speaking as a one time teen mother, I plan on being completely honest with my girls and try to show them that obstaining (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) from sex is the best solution but if they feel they are truly ready to have sex then to please let me know so we can take measures in order for them not to follow in there mother's foot steps! :)

The message to the boys seems to be, "When you have sex, use birth control," as if you expect the boys to do such things- you said you'd automatically get the boys on BC if such a product were available. Wouldn't that give the boys the "go ahead" that you're worried about giving your daughter? I think preparing one gender for responsible sexual behavior, and not the other, doesn't make much sense. Especially when it's the daughter who could become pregnant. And you're too young to be a grandma.

I know you want her to make the right decisions, but the reason teenagers still live with their parents is because they're not yet prepared to make all the right decisions for themself. So we do the best we can to protect them (mostly from themselves) and guide them, and hope for the best.

Statistically, out of your seven kids, chances are pretty good that a number of them, if not all, will have sex before they reach 18, no matter how much we encourage abstinence. I'd want to protect all of them and give all of them the information they need to protect their body, health, and future, and let them know that Mom is ready to be a nonjudgmental and helpful resource for them if they decide to become sexually active. I wouldn't automatically put my teenager on BC, but I'd certainly provide it if I became aware (hopefully from the source!) of the possibility of sexual activity.

These things are hard; I commisserate. My "baby" is turning 15 next month, and we recently had the BC talk. He just started high school and he has his first girlfriend. I know that they are sweet, naive hand-holders right now, but it never hurts to have The Talk wayyyy before the hormones go crazy, right?

Well, I put my daughters on birth control at about age 15. I was concerned about rape, oddly enough. None of my children, boys or girls, however, had sex until they were past 18.

Thank you all for your perspective. It seems to have been something that i have thought about a lot lately. I dont want to be the overly permissive parent, but do not want to be the one who did not give the children the protection they need. I am hoping for the best, but i am also going to educate and give my daughter the choice of birth control. I was surprised that i did not hear from a few people who would say that by providing birth control i would be allowing a go ahead for sex. I am thankful that most of the educated world is non judgmental and ready to handle such a difficult subject..

thanks to you all.

I think that B.C. is great (the shot anyways that way you know you can't miss any pills.) .I think it would be ok for you to give her the shot but just keep reminding her that most deseases are worse than child birth!!!

I have a 10 year old daughter and a 12-year-old son. I worry about both of them getting into trouble with sex--ironically more so with the boy. You bet I would put my kids on BC if I had the least inkling they were sexually active. I don't want them to ruin their lives with a disease, or by becoming teeenage parents.

Take it from me, I am 21, with two kids myself! When teenage girls hit about 14 they start getting those feelings of wanting to be touched! I believe that my parents where to scared that putting me on birth control would be giving me the ok to have sex, but the truth is we are going to have sex anyways and we get to scared to talk to our parents about cause 9 out of 10 they will freak out on us!! So yes put your girls on birthcontrol!!

Well, honestly, I'm a teen mommy. I'm not saying its easy, but I have loved it each and everyday, but what my mom and father have taught me as well (they can be there to help, but will not raise my child) and I never have expected my parents to raise my child. I've always have tried my best to my ability, bought what was needed (before buying my needs and had to put my needs on a shelf for my child), but keep in mind, that your teen girls or guys should know that you will have to give up stuff for your child and if you don't, you can lose your child in the process. A child is innocent, deserves love, respect, and also has needs that need to be met. Make sure they know that before wanting a child. I always wanted a child as a teenager, but I didn't have a child until I fell down in love and am (19) now, so that's good that I didn't get pregnant at 15, but then again, I'll never regret being young when having a child because it has matured me more, not only as a mother, but a person as well.

As for birth control, I don't believe in it because of the side effects, but if personally I go on birth control, I heard the "ring" is the most effective for girls (especially teen girls). I think your daughters should have a personal choice on it (a responsibility) and just let them know that consequences come in packages and that if they have a child (you aren't stuck with raising that child).

Oh, as for shots, I don't recommend them (even though they have them for females), but the risks outweigh the benefits. The shots aren't recommended for individuals that WANT future children (take a peek online). ;)

Jackie L., as a mother, I would definitely feel bad if I had a son get another girl pregnant. I feel like I'm not doing my motherly duty and I wouldn't want to just *throw that off on the other parent* because of my son's actions. Make sense? That's pretty much what you're stating when you're stating "especially your daughter" type of thing. Well, think again, we have our other genders to worry about in perspective too. Oh, and it takes TWO to mingle-- and I would definitely be upset if my son got a girl knocked up. I wouldn't blame the girl, but I'd know she had responsibility in the matter too.