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A new study which makes me say, "duh," and makes uber-conservatives say, "What?"

One of the most controversial aspects of the new healthcare law according to die-hard conservatives has been covering contraception - just ask Hobby Lobby. This is due to their belief that any form of contraception, especially birth control pills used by women, impede on "God's plan," and in some cases, even constitutes as abortion. This isn't true, of course, but I won't bother with reiterating facts to refute those claims for the 9,247th time. Most of these people also believe in abstinence-only education, which has made me chuckle a few times as well.

I've tried to go the common sense, logic route with these people, but it hasn't gotten me anywhere. I'll say:

"So, you want to decrease abortions, correct? Okay then... Studies show that when kids are provided comprehensive sex education, they're more apt to using contraception than those that receive abstinence-only education. If more people use contraception, there will be fewer unwanted pregnancies, and with that, fewer abortions. So, why are you against comprehensive sex education and contraception if you want to decrease abortions?"

No, even that kind of rationale doesn't seem to work with them. Well, a recent study backed up my common sense argument, but there's no telling whether or not it will have any impact on the before-mentioned ultra-conservative individuals.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, said the following:

"Providing teenage girls with affordable access to long-lasting contraception, like intrauterine devices (IUDs), can cut their rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion by more than 75 percent... The data suggests that teens can effectively prevent pregnancy when they're educated about their full range of sexual health options."

There we have it, ladies and gentlemen - a study which makes the ever so far-reaching claim that if people are educated about something which could have life-altering consequences, they tend to be more cautious about the matter and thereby tend to go about it in a safer manner than they would otherwise. Who knew?!?

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/10/02/3574948/iud-study-teen-pregnancy-drop/

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