[Zdmlscid]

Quote[/b] ]I have to disagree with you Seeker, our society promotes sex in every single aspect. Sex sells, people see it everywhere and teenagers are influenced by this.

Blondie, I'm not sure how this is a disagreement na. Actually, I agree with the above; sex is promoted in every way and aspect. What I'm saying is that there are multiple segments of society, all offering different ways for leading one's life. Parents, teachers, certain organizations and communities promote a different way of life, and people of all ages have the freedom to choose that, or any other way besides the one promoted by the media.

Quote[/b] ]I agree with the fact it comes down to the way we want our lives to be, and the media is forcing a lifestyle upon people.

Yes, that's quite true, sadly. I can't help but feeling pity for the people who cannot think for themselves. They just take in whatever message the media conveys, without giving much of a thought to whether that's really what they want.

So whose fault is it then? Media reps could argue that they have the freedom to show whatever they want; it's up to the individuals themselves what to accept or reject. It's difficult to disagree with this, if we believe that human beings have free will and are more than mindless drones.

Quote[/b] ]As for you not being influenced, your not a teenager girl or boy who wants to be popular,

Lol, this is very cute na. Though I'm past my teenage years indeed, I was not born to be an adult. Neither am I from the generation that grew up on "Father knows best" and other similar programs.

I went through the same phases as everyone else nowadays. And sure, as a teen boy I was fascinated with many things the media had to offer. But at the same time, I also felt (and still feel) love and respect towards my parents, mentors and advisors. That, and choosing the right circle of friends, enabled me to view certain media messages with a critical eye, rejecting/ignoring them when necessary. If I can do it, anyone else can.

The more I travel, the more teens I see having a similar lifestyle and values. I personally know, and also read about, many teens who actually love their parents and feel responsiblity to make them happy and not disappoint them (especially here in Thailand). This includes refraining from promiscuous behavior.

Remember na: for every teen shown on MTV Spring Break, there are untold numbers who do not live that way.

[66paptroump]

Quote[/b] ]" is simply the way of a responsible life; it's not religious dogma, nor it is just a set of nice ideals for one to say and others to follow.

Aaaaah and the mystery is now unlocked!

[Zdmlscid]

lol

[didrexx]

you can easily get (buy) the pills at any chemist shop

[mireOpekrhype]

many women are on birth control. It is available without prescription at any pharmacy. Do your research on the shot that lasts three months A friend of mine tried it and her hormones were off the wall. Good Luck

[forotis]

I have to disagree with you Seeker, our society promotes sex in every single aspect. Sex sells, people see it everywhere and teenagers are influenced by this. It seen as cool, you want to be popular its all done to pressure too. I agree with the fact it comes down to the way we want our lives to be, and the media is forcing a lifestyle upon people.

As for you not being influenced, your not a teenager girl or boy who wants to be popular, your older and understand the issue more.

[Pwy9egVW]

Seeker, what about a husband and wife who do not wish to have any children until they are in a better financial position to support them? Should they be looked down upon too if they use birth control pills?

[66paptroump]

I don't think that the use of birth control pills is about short-time fun; like I said before, I think it's about responsibility and safer sex. Remember: the only true way to prevent a pregnancy is abstinence. For those who choose not to take that route, birth control pills have shown themselves to be nearly infallible, with barrier methods considerably less effective. However, Seeker's brought up a good point that is worth exploring. Namely:

What are the implications of long term use of female oral contraceptives? What are the consequences of the disruption of natural hormonal balance?

In the meantime, I'm gonna settle down with a beer and wait for this one to heat up

[sobre]

A little add on to the topic: Is it common for girls to go on birth control in Thailand?

[Pwy9egVW]

Wow, I didn't know about this injection. Sounds like a great idea!

[Emedgella]

My wife's reason for being on birth control in the past was not to have "unlimited fun," but to avoid unending misery. Her common law husband left her with three children to practically raise on her own. He would run off to Bangkok to work and, whenever he would return, he would not give her any money to help take care of the kids. All he wanted was to be intimate and, if she refused, he smacked her around. The poor woman was exhausted from working her tail off to feed the babies she already had, so she didn't want to have any more. It's not like she could just go on AFDC like in America. She raised her children until they were old enough to fend for themselves, then she left him. She went through all this and she is now only 38. For some women, life is not a bowl of cherries. FFT

[Emedgella]

Quote[/b] ]...it's not all about copulation, right?

Wrong. That is exactly what it is all about. That holds for every species engaged in courtship rituals, including humans. The ultimate goal of initiating an intimate relationship is to, to coin a phrase from American football, "put the ball in the end-zone."

[Zdmlscid]

IMO the ones who truly benefit from birth control (ie. the above-mentioned sexually abused, and the ill women for whom pregnancy means certain death) are minority compared to the rest of the normal, healthy population for whom birth control simply means that they can go "all the way" without consequences.

That, in my opinion, is a shallow reason to tamper with one's well-established hormonal equation, causing perhaps more permanent damage to one's body than what the short-time fun would be worth.

Others may disagree; let's exchange opinions.

[forotis]

abstinence is hard when we live in a society that promotes sex to all ages and generations, if taking birth controls lowers you risk of becoming pregnant then what is wrong with it? The only problem with it, is that it doesn't protects against HIV/AIDs and STDS.

[66paptroump]

I agree with you csdncer; the pill is a very effective method of pregnancy prevention, and it is a very prudent step for couples who are intimate with each other and do not want to risk an unplanned pregnancy.

[Zdmlscid]

Actually, there are quite a few reasons to keep it secret, Paul, although you are right about Catholics.

As far as I know, Thai society still places a great deal of importance on the virginity of girls before marriage. So I'd imagine that such couples would be hesitant to openly admit taking birth control pills. It might be different in the case of married women - I don't know.

Furthermore, Thailand is still a family-centered society; it is not uncommon to see large families with 4-5 or more children living together under one roof, especially in rural areas. So birth control doesn't seem to be a popular option here, for whatever reason.

Quote[/b] ] Do your research on the shot that lasts three months A friend of mine tried it and her hormones were off the wall.

Can't have something for nothing; this happens whenever there is an attempt to tamper with the well-established biological balance for shallow reasons: anabolic steroids to get huge muscles quickly and easily, or birth control methods for "unlimited" fun.

[Emedgella]

You can buy pills at any pharmacy, without a "note" giving you permission (prescription). There are also other options that are not available in the west. There is an injection that lasts up to three months and an implant that lasts up to five years. Like they say in Thailand, "Up to you."

[Zdmlscid]

Jonny, I think you just pointed out the root of our disagreement.

My line of thinking comes from a point of view where "abstinence" is simply the way of a responsible life; it's not religious dogma, nor it is just a set of nice ideals for one to say and others to follow.

Quote[/b] ]for couples who are intimate with each other and do not want to risk an unplanned pregnancy.

Without getting too technical here, I'm sure most all of us know that there are several ways of "getting intimate" without engaging in the actual intercourse - it's not all about copulation, right? Thus there is another way of reducing the risk of pregnancy to zero: an option for those who choose not to take the "A" route.

Overcoming carnal instincts with responsible, conscientous mind and heart - this is one thing that makes us human, after all.

[Roorseprate]

Quote[/b] ]Is it common for girls to go on birth control in Thailand?

Well, there are not that many Catholic's in Thailand, so there is no reason to have to hide the fact or lie about taking birth control.

[Zdmlscid]

Quote[/b] ]what about a husband and wife who do not wish to have any children until they are in a better financial position to support them?

Jerome, I wouldn't look down upon them, for sure. But were I in the same position, I'd get intimate without risking pregnancy - but also without risking permanent damage to my wife's body. See my previous post.

Quote[/b] ]abstinence is hard when we live in a society that promotes sex to all ages and generations

I can't agree with that, blonde, because it's not all society that promotes promiscuity, but only a segment of society. Other segments have other messages - it's up to each individual to decide which one to listen to. Despite being bombarded by those images and suggestions like everyone else, I don't find abstinence difficult at all - and I'm just like everyone else, nothing special. It all comes down to which way we want our lives to be.

Quote[/b] ]The only problem with it, is that it doesn't protects against HIV/AIDs and STDS.

Well, that's one major problem with it, yes. It's quite sad that many think that these preventive measures will also grant them immunity against such diseases.