Contraception
The use of contraception is very important for obvious reasons, such as protection from sexually transmitted diseases and to prevent pregnancy. In China there is a one child policy, so the use of contraception is almost mandatory. Contraception is defined as “The prevention of pregnancy” (Carroll). Whether it is permanent or temporary there are many effective ways of contraception for both the female, and the male.
Birth control use is one of the biggest and ongoing debates. Many times China has flirted with the idea of allowing women to use the contraceptive pill but as for allowing it still remains a debate. According to the article Pill Approval wait in Japan “Japanese women, denied the birth control pill for more than 30 years.” (Australian Nursing Journal). Beliefs are high that the government will soon cave in to allow the pill in China however that may never be the case. Sadly “they remain to be the only major industrialized country to ban the pill for contraceptive purposes.” (Australian Nursing Journal). So what could be the possible reason China stops the debate in its tracks? Apparently there are “Concerns over sexual mores, side effects and AIDS have over the years all played their part in keeping it off the market.”(Australian Nursing Journal). Should the cons outweigh the pros? If China continues to be strict about the use of contraception and there forms could they really enforce the one child policy?
China’s biggest form of contraception is abortions. Many women in China are left with no other option if they already have children. Abortion is one of the only ways they can terminate the pregnancy to restrain themselves from being punished, and in some areas gaining extra money for following the rules. “Women who comply receive bonuses which include an initial payment of 50 yuan followed by five yuan every month. Other incentives include priority of goods, job promotions, and free medical treatment for the child until they are 18.” (Tibet Online). China is a very strict culture and has many regulations but the downfall is that there are not many options for someone to choose from. Although abortions are common many women feel judged and ashamed to go to public clinics. That in result leads to backstreet abortions. The problem with backstreet abortions is the lack of information given to the women, and the direct risks to their body. According to Tibet Online there is “Growing evidence that women are being forced to have abortions and sterilizations.” Abortion is something widely debated all across the globe, but in China there may be no other option. “Abortion is common in Tibet not just because of a lack of contraceptive but also because authorities prefer the ‘combined method’.” (Tibet Online). Abortion could be lessened significantly if more contraception methods were offered. Before that attitudes in China need to be changed. Below is the chart provided by BMC Health Services Research.
Birth control use is one of the biggest and ongoing debates. Many times China has flirted with the idea of allowing women to use the contraceptive pill but as for allowing it still remains a debate. According to the article Pill Approval wait in Japan “Japanese women, denied the birth control pill for more than 30 years.” (Australian Nursing Journal). Beliefs are high that the government will soon cave in to allow the pill in China however that may never be the case. Sadly “they remain to be the only major industrialized country to ban the pill for contraceptive purposes.” (Australian Nursing Journal). So what could be the possible reason China stops the debate in its tracks? Apparently there are “Concerns over sexual mores, side effects and AIDS have over the years all played their part in keeping it off the market.”(Australian Nursing Journal). Should the cons outweigh the pros? If China continues to be strict about the use of contraception and there forms could they really enforce the one child policy?
China’s biggest form of contraception is abortions. Many women in China are left with no other option if they already have children. Abortion is one of the only ways they can terminate the pregnancy to restrain themselves from being punished, and in some areas gaining extra money for following the rules. “Women who comply receive bonuses which include an initial payment of 50 yuan followed by five yuan every month. Other incentives include priority of goods, job promotions, and free medical treatment for the child until they are 18.” (Tibet Online). China is a very strict culture and has many regulations but the downfall is that there are not many options for someone to choose from. Although abortions are common many women feel judged and ashamed to go to public clinics. That in result leads to backstreet abortions. The problem with backstreet abortions is the lack of information given to the women, and the direct risks to their body. According to Tibet Online there is “Growing evidence that women are being forced to have abortions and sterilizations.” Abortion is something widely debated all across the globe, but in China there may be no other option. “Abortion is common in Tibet not just because of a lack of contraceptive but also because authorities prefer the ‘combined method’.” (Tibet Online). Abortion could be lessened significantly if more contraception methods were offered. Before that attitudes in China need to be changed. Below is the chart provided by BMC Health Services Research.
Unfortunately those in China know very little about sex and the use of contraception. It is something that never is brought up in discussion. Along with having many regulations by the Chinese government of what contraception is, and is not okay. “National Family Planning Programme targets married couples and the young people have little access to information or advice about contraception.” (Xu Qian, Shenglan Tang, and Paul Garner). Although China is trying to make improvements in such areas how long will it take to change the overall attitude facing contraception and its different forms? Implications for policy “Includes and introduction of appropriate information about contraceptive methods to school children and young people.” (Xu Qian, Shenglan Tang, and Paul Garner). Below are great videos from those in China and what they know about contraception and how to use them. In the videos provided they include many different individuals but mostly the outcome is the same, many being unaware of their options.
As you can see the lack of knowledge and embarrassment of some of the individuals in the videos goes to show that many are not as informed as they should be, especially at their age. Having a limited knowledge base on the use of contraceptive can be dangerous not only to yourself but those around you. It is often times too common for individuals to face something heartbreaking when it could have been prevented. An example of this would be “A young girl gave birth without even knowing she was pregnant” or “Another who delivered her baby alone in a toilet and then hung him in in a carrier bag from the window so that her parents would not find out. The child fell two storeys and died.” (Watts). Many people are terrified of the possibility of disappointing their families because they are too strict in their ways. The way of thinking can change if everyone in China contributes.
References obtained from YouTube and Academic Search Premier
References obtained from YouTube and Academic Search Premier
- Carroll, J. L. (2013). Introduction to human sexuality. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
- China reports rise in HIV/AIDS. (1997). Australian Nursing Journal, 5(1), 26.
- Tibet Online - Human Rights - Birth Control Policies in Tibet. (n.d.). Tibet Online - Human Rights - Birth Control Policies in Tibet. Retrieved April 29, 2014, from http://www.tibet.org/Activism/Rights/birthcontrol.html
- Watts, J. (2004). China sex education lags behind sexual activity. Lancet, 363(9416), 1208.
- Ying, L., Cottrell, R. R., Wagner, D. I., & Maosheng, B. (2004). Needs and Preferences Regarding Sex Education Among Chinese College Students: A Preliminary Study. International Family Planning Perspectives, 30(3), 128-133.
- Xu, Q., Shenglan, T., & Garner, P. (2004). Unintended pregnancy and induced abortion among unmarried women in China: a systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 41-4.