What if buying condoms were as difficult as obtaining most other birth control methods?
That’s the scenario depicted in this parody video from BuzzFeed, where a young man encounters the same obstacles typically faced by young women who need a prescription for birth control methods such as the pill. There’s the awkward talk with parents. The mandatory visit to the ob-gyn. The high costs, need for health insurance, and possible judgment of pharmacists.
Now obviously, not all birth control methods are alike, so direct comparison is somewhat silly. But obstacles to contraceptive access are faced not only by young people in America, but by youth all over the world. In fact, in many developing countries, the stigma and judgment young people face in obtaining contraception (even condoms) is so strong that it prevents them from having any meaningful access to these critical services and supplies. It hurts their ability to plan for their futures. And that hurts all of us.
PAI believes access to contraception is a fundamental right—no matter your age, income or location. Similarly, removing barriers to birth control for young people, both here in the U.S. and overseas, is all of our responsibility.
