Crystal Escobar

Human Sexuality

10/26/2017
U4 E1 OPTION D: MAN ON THE STREET INTERVIEW (CONTRACEPTION RESEARCH)

Contraception is one of the most important topics that should be discussed with all

adolescents, yet its something most people are misinformed about. The three big questions I

went out and asked regarding contraceptives were; what are contraceptives, what available

methods are you aware of, and what resources are available to them. It was interesting to hear the

responses and to see what they knew.

When interviewing people, I asked participants from the age of 14-30. When asking the

first question, What are contraceptives?, I got pretty much the same response. Most said it was

to prevent pregnancy and although pregnancy is the number one reason people use it,

contraception is also used to prevent STDS/sexually transmitted diseases, which was a response I

thought I would get from more people. An interesting response I heard was that some

contraceptive in woman helps balance hormones and acne, which is true and not a response I

would have thought of. I also noticed many of the people I asked seemed to have gotten their

sources from the media, friends, and family members. Less than half of the people I spoke too

said they had a sex talk with their parents growing up which is how they know what

contraceptives are.

When I asked which available methods of birth control they knew about the biggest

response received was condoms and the pill. A few people said the IUD, arm implants, and nuva

ring. The younger kids all said condoms and did not mention any other kind of birth control for
the young ladies. The response to that question was extremely alerting because these are kids

who are currently sexually active, and the only form of birth control being used is condoms

which we know are not 100% effective. It should be a requirement for schools to teach basic sex

education to their students entering high school because thats when most become sexually

active. Based on national survey of adolescents, 6% reported to having had sexual intercourse

by the age 13 Knox, David, and Susan Milstein. Male Sexuality, Anatomy, Physiology, and

Response. Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions, BVT Publishing, 2017, p. 214.

Learning about contraceptives is crucial at a young age especially because kids need to be

educated and aware of the risks and responsibilities that come with having sex. In an article

written by Purdue University it outlines what should children know about sexual and at what age.

An interesting concept written says, Age 9-13-year-old should know about; Contraceptives,

know that is it possible to plan parenthood and to be aware contraceptives (birth control

methods) exist (and should be able to name some) Knox, David, and Susan Milstein. Male

Sexuality, Anatomy, Physiology, and Response. Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions,

BVT Publishing, 2017, p. 212. These are just some of the listings that inform people on what age

is it appropriate to speak about what topics on sexuality with your child.

The resources that were named as the top two were either their primary care doctor and

Planned Parenthood. Most of the people I surveyed said they had gone to Planned Parenthood at

lest once or twice for either birth control or emergency contraceptive. The people that were going

to planned parenthood were within the ages of 15-23. The rest of the group were in their late 20s

early 30s and they all had a primary care doctor who they followed up with for their

contraceptives or any sex related questions. What I found most interesting was that the people

who went to Planned Parenthood had not discussed sex or contraceptives with their parents, and
would confide more in Planned Parenthood than with their primary care physician to avoid their

parents finding out about contraceptive use although there is patient- doctor confidentiality.

Many of these younger people also went in to get some form of day after pill or to get condoms

for themselves/their partners.

Contraceptive use is something that should be discussed with adolescents at a young age

to provide protection and knowledge and the answers to the questions; what are contraceptives,

what available methods, and what resources are available to them, greatly exemplify why it is

important to teach about safe use and how they can protect you.
Works Cited:

- Knox, David, and Susan Milstein. Male Sexuality, Anatomy, Physiology, and

Response. Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions, BVT Publishing, 2017, p.

212

- Knox, David, and Susan Milstein. Male Sexuality, Anatomy, Physiology, and

Response. Human Sexuality: Making Informed Decisions, BVT Publishing, 2017, p.

214