Youth / OPINION : Norplant: ‘A Green Light for Sex?’

SPENCER RASCOFF

Senior, 17, the private Harvard-Westlake High School, Studio City

I first heard about Norplant when I read that Baltimore students were receiving this new form of birth control that remained effective for five years. It sounded like it was sent from heaven; painless, cost effective ($500 for five years is pretty good) and foolproof. What could be better? I then thought about the implications of an implanted form of birth control. I consider myself to be very responsible sexually. I would never do anything unsafe or foolish. However, if I was protected against impregnating a girl through the use of Norplant, I would be less likely to use a condom. Despite the health risks to me and her, I would be tempted to have unprotected sex. The media portrays boys as sexually irresponsible. Unfortunately, many statistics support this. My male friends, however, are extremely careful and knowledgeable, primarily because of my school’s extensive sex-education program.

I don’t think Norplant is a form of birth control that should be offered at school. Condom distribution and education are more practical ways than Norplant of combatting disease and pregnancy.