I am curious to know what people think about this morning after pill.  I personally think that it is a sick device that is used because people are either too lazy or too stupid to use regular means of birth control.  I apologize if anyone is offended, because that is just my opinion.  But what do you think?

I think it's acceptable in cases of rape or even in cases where the standard form of birth control fails.  I do agree with you about it being used as a primary form of birth control.  I don't think it should be sold over the counter, which I think some peoople are fighting for. 

I agree with you too Jan. In cases of rape, or birth control fails to work, it seems ok.

Obviously, not something to be used as if its tylenol and its not a big deal, and I definetely dont think it should be over the counter.
If someone decides to use it like that, I believe that is their personal choice to do so. I dont agree with it, but it is their choice. I dont know what the laws are for it now, but I most definetely think you need to be over the age of 18, or at least have parental consent before buying it.

Ok, I gotta stick my nose in here.

Truth is, anything used in ignorance bears a danger. 

How about this scenario.   I know some of you married moms will find this hard to imagine, but what if intercourse at home were only happening once every 4-6 weeks, more or less and historically regular birth control had not agreed with you for whatever reason.  Low dose is risky, and maybe a daily regimen is not for you.  You have two kids and are not sure about another but have not made any permanent decision yet, though agewise and financially it seems that it would be best to stay with two (or one or three whatever.) So, on that odd night that something occurs, you wisely don't trust a condom only and choose to augment with the morning after pill.

Or, and I know this would never happen, but your 19 or 22 year old daughter comes home from college to celebrate an internship and a budding carreer after graduation.  While home, she sees her loser HS boyfriend (or maybe he is a suave winner, but not really part of her future.)  Anyway, they go to a party, have some beers or wine with some old friends, wind up at his bitchin' condo and get frisky (maybe it xmas and very romantic) and voila, against her better judgement, desire wins out (never happened to anyone I know - I'm just sayin'.) So, does she trade out her future in Law School or on teh Apprentice with Trump for that silly night?  Or go ahead and take the morning after pill over the counter?

So let's say one or both of these scenarios makes sense.  Who can determine who is right and wrong in every single case.  Teen and unwanted pregnancy is rampant in the US, but it is a systemic cultural problem.  Allowing the pill to be sold will neither increase nor fix the problem, imo.  We need to rethink the whole approach, but should not prohibit adults from making decisions because of the world we would like to live in.

.02c 

I agree that there are cases where it is acceptable to use the pill.  People are allowed mistakes and there are options out there to fix them.  I just don not think this should be used as a primary form of birth control.

I still don't think that the pill should be sold over the counter.  How many desperate women would take it after they found out they were pregnant and not in the time frame for it to be effective.  They could end up doing more harm than good if they ended up keeping the baby when the pill failed.  This is a strong pharmaceutical that should only be taken under a doctor's care.  I'm not saying a doctor should turn down a patient for the drug, but they should make sure it's being used correctly.   

And ps, if my daughter ever thought it would be a good idea to be on the Apprentice, I'd question her sanity anyway.

Thanks for the discussion, you all have very valid and great arguments that I agree with.  I also do agree with certain situations, but I also do agree that if it is allowed to be sold over the counter that it will be abused.  And you are also right that teenage pregnancy rates and stuff are really high and we could go on for days about people that just shouldn't be having kids to begin with.  It just makes me a little bit sad when I think that there are so many loving couples out there that can't have children on their own and there are so many careless people that get blessed with a child and take them for granted.   It's almost like people will opt to have a fetus/baby, what have you, "done away with" instead of put up for adoption to a couple that does not have the choice to "do away with" a pregnancy because they can't get pregnant to begin with...

Those are all great points. If I or my daughter was in a situation like that, I would want for it to be our decision to take the pill. I would not want someone else to decide what is right or wrong for us.

If it did become available over the counter, then I would hope for some kind of process to go through before buying. Something like they have for buying cold decongestants.