As people globally are having wider access to contraception, should we be evaluating how this has affected our wider moral thinking within society? To what extent, if at all, do we have accountability over having protected sex?
Yes, we do have a responsibility to use contraception
We have a duty to be cautious of our actions, if we do not take accountability over how and when we use contraception, this may lead to disastrous consequences.
Family planning
We have a responsibility to use contraception so that we can decide when we would like children, how many we have, and how far apart the pregnancies should be. Without using contraception for family planning, this may also have fatal consequences on the wellbeing of the infant.
We have a responsibility to provide contraception to women so they can enjoy sexual activity on the same basis as men, whilst still having the autonomy to decide whether they want to become pregnant or not. Without providing women with contraception, it is sexual discrimination.
No, we do not have a responsibility to use contraception
Nature will take its course, and we may choose to intervene but have no responsibility to do so.
Contraception is unnatural
Although people should be given the choice, we do not have a responsibility to provide couples with contraception because it still involves the deliberate extermination of a human being's life, which is unnatural to the process of reproduction. The most natural and humane choice is to allow the baby to live.
Every main contraceptive method has a fairly high failure rate, so it is irresponsible to view it as a responsibility to use contraception. It is potentially dangerous to encourage people to use these methods if they cannot fully prevent unwanted pregnancies.
