Seven hundred and fifty thousand teenagers, aged between fifteen and nineteen, become pregnant every year (“Facts”). Adolescent birth specialists have often debated whether or not adolescents should have access to birth control and other contraceptives. Although some people think that teens being on birth control promotes promiscuity, birth control should be accessible to teens because they would put themselves at greater risk of disease and pregnancy without it, and more teen girls would get a high school diploma superior with it. Those who Disagree that providing birth control promotes promiscuity and premarital sexual activity. In the article “At Issue: Birth Control Availability,” the author argues that access to birth control and other contraceptives for teens would make them think their behavior is acceptable. The author states, “Providing free condoms and other contraceptive methods sends the message that premarital sexual activity is acceptable” (“ProQuest”). The opposition believes that birth control would promote promiscuity and make it seem acceptable. Although some believe that birth control encourages promiscuity, the fact that teenagers are sexually active has not changed; therefore, access to birth control can only encourage safe sex. Kim Grundy, author of “The Teens and Birth Control Debate,” argues that teaching abstinence is a waste of time. Wendie Howland, editor of the Journal of Nurse Life Care Planning, states, "Abstinence has not worked for thousands of years as a reliable way to avoid teen pregnancy" (qtd. in Grundy). Howland and Grundy argue that abstinence has not worked in the past, and therefore will continue to not work; birth control should become available to teenagers. Without birth control, sexually active teens will rank higher… middle of the paper… graduate from high school, they are likely to get a better job. Inevitably, most adolescents will participate in sexual activities; therefore, they should have access to birth control. Works Cited Chung, Saras. “New Study Links Teen Pregnancy and Dropout and Solutions Spotlights.” Wyman Center. Wyman Center, Inc., June 2012. Web. November 10, 2013. “Facts on the Sexual and Reproductive Health of American Adolescents.” Guttmacher Institute. Guttmacher Institute, June 2013. Web. November 10, 2013. Grundy, Kim. "The Debate Over Teens and Birth Control." He knows parenting. She Knows, LLC, November 2010. Web. November 10, 2013. ProQuest Staff. “At issue: availability of birth control.” ProQuest LLC. 2013: page n. SIRS Problem Researcher. Network. November 15 2013.