Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Should birth control be free?
Position‹2 of 3›

No, birth control should not be free

This position holds that birth control should not be free. It argues the issue is more complex than cost, that free provision would be too expensive and could encourage risky sexual behaviour, reduce incentives to develop safer methods, and force religious objectors to pay.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. We cannot make those who object on religious grounds pay
    Religious objection is important to many, and passing the cost onto those who reject on religious grounds is morally wrong.
  2. Incentive to create safe methods of birth control decreases
    Making birth control free decreases motivation to research new high-quality and safe methods.
  3. Making birth control free would be too costly
    Both for taxpayers and users, the cost would be too much.
  4. Free birth control would increase the occurrence of risky sexual behaviour
    If birth control were free then there would be no restrictions on engaging in risky sexual behaviors.