DAYTON -- The American Academy of Pediatrics is encouraging doctors to prescribe teenagers the morning after pill before they start having sex. The hope is to reduce the nation's high teen pregnancy and birth rate, but the academy's position has sparked mixed reviews.
For 30 years, the Miami Valley Women's Center has been helping women face unplanned pregnancies, but Executive Director Cindy Good was stunned after reading the American Academy of Pediatrics new policy encouraging doctors to prescribe Plan B also known as the morning after pill to girls 17 or younger.
"These are difficult things for a young woman to face alone, and that's why I don't encourage the morning after pill," said Good.
Good believes it encourages teens to be sexually active. She says there are a number of teens who come into her center doors confused when it comes to unplanned pregnancies and believes emergency contraception isn't the answer.
"I think often times people think of an unplanned pregnancy as the worst thing that can happen but the actual fact it's not and who knows what the long term affects of Plan B as contraception will be," explained Good.
In 2008, the teen birth rate from girls ages 15 to 17 was 25.5 per 1000 girls. In 2010, that number dropped to 18.8. Some believe the Plan B recommendation for girls 17 or younger will help bring that number even further down.
"I think teens are having sex even younger than 17, so giving them that option is a good thing to have, because they don't know what they're getting themselves into," said Tammy Treehorn, a parent of a newborn boy.
"I think hat people should know, teenagers, and adults, how to take care of themselves properly and teenagers should have that opportunity to go and take care of their sex lives in a private manner," explained Cassidy Platt.
The Emergency Contraception Website says women who are 17 or older can get Plan B over the counter, anyone younger must have parental consent.
If you are interested in the Miami Vally Women's Center services call them at (937) 298-4244 or click here.
For 30 years, the Miami Valley Women's Center has been helping women face unplanned pregnancies, but Executive Director Cindy Good was stunned after reading the American Academy of Pediatrics new policy encouraging doctors to prescribe Plan B also known as the morning after pill to girls 17 or younger.
"These are difficult things for a young woman to face alone, and that's why I don't encourage the morning after pill," said Good.
Good believes it encourages teens to be sexually active. She says there are a number of teens who come into her center doors confused when it comes to unplanned pregnancies and believes emergency contraception isn't the answer.
"I think often times people think of an unplanned pregnancy as the worst thing that can happen but the actual fact it's not and who knows what the long term affects of Plan B as contraception will be," explained Good.
In 2008, the teen birth rate from girls ages 15 to 17 was 25.5 per 1000 girls. In 2010, that number dropped to 18.8. Some believe the Plan B recommendation for girls 17 or younger will help bring that number even further down.
"I think teens are having sex even younger than 17, so giving them that option is a good thing to have, because they don't know what they're getting themselves into," said Tammy Treehorn, a parent of a newborn boy.
"I think hat people should know, teenagers, and adults, how to take care of themselves properly and teenagers should have that opportunity to go and take care of their sex lives in a private manner," explained Cassidy Platt.
The Emergency Contraception Website says women who are 17 or older can get Plan B over the counter, anyone younger must have parental consent.
If you are interested in the Miami Vally Women's Center services call them at (937) 298-4244 or click here.
