Difference between revisions of "Talk:Contraception"

Revision as of 12:38, April 5, 2007

WHAT??!!

Andrew Schlafly just cut all the information about contraception out of the contraception page. --Redblue 18:19, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Crap--PalMD^talk 18:20, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

How shocking. Statistics are apparently unencyclopedic. DrLib 19:02, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Formatting

Did it as a bulleted list, formatting help can be found here [1].

Can't see this page lasting though, abstinence is the only form of contraception doncha know. JamesK 20:32, 17 March 2007 (EDT)

Expert opinion

Just a heads up, I am planning on doing extensive editing for content here, as it is needed. If you question my qualifications, please check out my profile and discussion page. Thanks. Palmd001 21:29, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

The few bizarre citations used are low on primary statistics, and are from the UK. I am including NIH and other American statistics and sources.

Intimacy is an OPINION (inherently); it probably doesnt require citation, rather, an explanation of it's potential importance. Palmd001 21:55, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

Im also removing the dangerous and ridiculous claim about contraception aiding sexual assault. That's like saying crowbars are likely to cause break-ins, or AK-47s are likely to cause mass-murder. Citing a case where evidence of an assault was missing because of condom use is not helpful. You would need regression analysis to show that condoms increase crime, etc. Palmd001 22:35, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

Palm, I look forward to your edits on this one. I hope you can flesh out my analysis of how the pill works - I think I'm right, and at any rate, it's already better than BillOReillyFan's version about how the Pill "destroys" the organs :-/-AmesG 22:38, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

Call me "Pal". You're not too far off; what really ends up happening is the prevention of ovulation, and, as with Plan B, if fertilization does take place, prevention of implantation. We probably need to divide the section into "barrier methods", hormonal methods, IUDs, and ?other. Palmd001 22:40, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

I think that division is a great idea. It might run afoul of Andy's idea of obscenity, but I'll defend you, for whatever that's worth :-). So Pal-MD: are you a doctor? How awesome to have a real doctor edit some of the... errr... erroneous (?) articles on this site!-AmesG 22:43, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

Yes, Im a professor of medicine. See my talk page--it includes a somewhat surreal dialog with ASchlafly about my qualifications. Good amusement value though.Palmd001 22:46, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

I find what Andy DOESN'T say almost as funny as what he DOES say. He refuses to talk, for instance, about most things relating to user:Conservative's failure to do useful things on this site. He also refuses to address issues of bias, or commentaries on the compatibility of evolution and religion... and I did see that thing on your talk page, I forgot about it though! Good times.-AmesG 22:53, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

I probably won't get that far with this tonight, as it's 11pm here, but when I return to this tomorrow, I assume it will be hacked to bits. Palmd001 23:03, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

BillFan, thanks for your help with the clean up. Palmd001 19:47, 21 March 2007 (EDT)

Please note that much of the above discussion is historical. I have specifically invited Andy to find a contributor to help with the last section.--PalMD^talk 14:20, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

Re: effectiveness of various methods: "Rhythm method" (also sometimes referred to as a method of "timed abstinence")

• Do you know what they call women who rely on the Rhythm method? /answer --Ed Poor 17:03, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

Where do people get a BAND at four o'clock in the morning?

That's a good thing, right?PalMD^talk 17:47, 2 April 2007 (EDT)

Perfect

This article is perfect and completely unbiased. Thanks to whoever fixed it up!

Oh-kayyyy... this is obviously some new definition of perfect that I've never come across. Abstinence is the best form of birth control is it? Well, yes, provided it works. However, the likelihood of it actually working means that it is less effective than almost any other means you care to imagine. This is really like claiming that condoms are 100% effective provided that (a) they are worn and (b) they do not split, leak or slip off.

--CatWatcher 17:01, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Plea for tolerance

So, if this "encyclopedia" is to avoid the topic, well, then it needs a new name. Obviously, feel free to delete any well-referenced, well-researched information from an expert you wish, but don't pretend that you are doing it for accuracy or any other legitimate reason.--PalMD^talk 19:05, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

As discussed elsewhere, there is a dispute over whether it's wise to tell kids (1) We don't think you have the willpower to remain abstinent till marriage so (2) since you're going to fornicate (3) you better use condoms, etc.

Conservatives feel this encourages (4) fornication itself and (5) concomitant problems of unwanted pregnancy and STD's.

Writing which looks neutral but nevertheless provides copious alternatives to abstinence effectively sends messages #1 and #2 above, conservatives believe. Conservatives also believe that partisans are well aware of this and (6) have the aim of promoting fornication and (7) don't really care at all about out-of-wedlock pregnancy or STD's. (Not 100% of each group mentioned - I was speaking in general.)

I would therefore check with Andy before adding a "methods of contraception" section to this article. I imagine what senior staff want here is a critique of it, not a how-to guide.

If you'd like to work with me on a "Strategies to prevent STD" article, I'm happy to help. It could examine the effectiveness of various campaigns and curricula. As you probably have heard, there's a raging controversy over whether (8) abstinence-only curricula are more effective or (9) "abstinence is best but if you're gonna do it anyway use this" curricula are more effective. Part of the controversy no doubt comes from partisan refusal on the Liberal side to give an inch to the abstinence camel. There are some people who would rather die than give up fornication. --Ed Poor 07:17, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

I can see how describing various forms of contraception could be considered sending messages (1) and (2) to kids in a sex ed class (I don't agree with it, but I can see how you could think it). This isn't a sex ed class. It's an article about contraception. I don't see how describing various forms of contraception in an article about contraception could possibly send messages to anyone about anything, beyond describing various forms of contraception. Tsumetai 07:30, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

Kids aren't the only ones to have sex, and a married couple may be interested to know what contraception choices they have. Moreover, having seen the results of an abstinence only education (over 5 girls in my sister's junior class of 50 boys and girls have already dropped out of school due to being pregnant), I think that it is prudent to educate on the types of birth control available. Advocating use of birth control, abstinence or other forms, is different and far more important than advocating not having sex due for whatever personal reason. I personally am a fan of the "yay abstinence, but this is birth control so use it if you're going to have sex" education, as I would rather multiple people have sex and not get pregnant or STIs than one person get an STI or pregnant. Anyway, that's just my two cents plus a little. :-p ColinR^talk 07:28, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

I'll just repeat my suggestion above starting a Methods of contraception article and embellish it a little. A careful and accurate examination of the effectiveness of (1) the methods themselves and (2) campaigns to teach these methods would be really good reference material for an encyclopedia to supply. --Ed Poor 07:37, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

Statistics

Sorry if I've inadvertantly gone wrong here. The population statistics are from the US government census website I linked to. The assumptions about fertility and sexual activity were, I thought, on the conservative side, but you're right that I can't cite a source for those. The figures for failure rates were at the lower-than-probable end of the ones you gave in the earlier section. The reason for including the section was that there is often a misunderstanding of the term 'failure rate', and I wanted to expand on the implications of that. Please by all means improve on my contribution, but I think it's an expansion of this article that needs making. Britinme 20:15 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Let me see what I can do...I can expand on failure rate, but you have to be careful about how you massage statistics. For instance, if 3 out of 100 women will get pregnant using it, that does not mean that after 2 years, 6 out of 100 will. Trying to apply in aggregate is bad stats. If you have someone you know who is good with stats, that would be great.--PalMD^talk 20:47, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

I think I'm going to leave it for somebody with a better knowledge of statistics than me in that case. I don't want to post something that's wildly inaccurate, but I do think that there is a popular conception (not a deliberate pun, honestly) that a 1% failure rate means that there will hardly be any unintended pregnancies if the contraception is used reliably, and as I understand it that's not the case, once you start looking at large numbers of women. Britinme 21:45 4 April 2007 (EDT)

Scope of the article

Colin's latest change indicates an overlap with the topic of Sex education. Let's form a strategy for dealing with all the topics relating to this. I'm starting a list below, which should then be moved to someplace like Conservapedia:Sex education topics. --Ed Poor 08:09, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

Sex education topics:

• contraception
• abstinence
• "abstinence-until-marriage" education programs
• "comprehensive sex education"

Wouldn't a category be more appropriate? And the only reason I changed the entry is because there is no question that abstinence is the only completely effective means of birth control. ColinR^talk 08:11, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

At the risk of contradicting myself, I must admit that there *is* a question about whether abstinence is the only completely effective means of birth control. The question centers on whether it is realistic to expect anyone to abstain from something as pleasant and "delicious" as sexual intercourse. The idea that it is an irresistible urge (which it is abnormal to resist) is actually quite widespread and prevalent. For example, I know of an army officer who said, "If a man won't f---, he won't fight." And you know about marching cadences taught in basic training, don't you? --Ed Poor 08:16, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

Perhaps a bit crude, but all the same, well put Ed. Some editors here seem to be desperately trying to give the impression that liberals have a monopoly on common sense. I dispute that. WhatIsG0ing0n 08:21, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

While refraining from sex may be irresistible, when used, abstinence is completely effective. After all, unless the form of contraception is being used, one cannot expect it to do its function. ColinR^talk 08:24, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

The "when used" part is the key to the issue. Thank God conservatives don't have a monopoly on common sense. -Ed

Is it not implied that use of the form of contraception is necessary for its benefits? Or are people that stupid these days? But if you feel that the "when used" qualifier is needed, by all means, put it in the entry. ColinR^talk 08:29, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

Exactly Ed "when used", Capital Punishment is 100% effective - no one ever reoffends. Why not apply it for all felonies and misdemeanors? Would people cease committing misdemeanors. Not likely - if we killed them all the economy would collapse. It would cause more harm than good. Damage or harm reduction are the the (pragmatic?) buzzwords.

WhatIsG0ing0n 08:38, 5 April 2007 (EDT)