Is Having Sex In College A Right?

[Dave]

In the last few days, Sandra Fluke, a Georgetown Law student appeared in front of congress to talk about how students should have their birth control needs taken care of. She suggest that many of her fellow students are having a tough time being able to afford birth control/contraceptives. She says the cost per year is about $3000 for most students on average.

I don't know, maybe its just me but I'm having a hard time having sympathy for anyone going to a prestigious law school that isn't exactly cheap. To go to Georgetown Law, you figure about $60,000 to $70,000 for your education. Figure in as well that your most likely going to be able to get a decent job once your out (take note occupiers... this is the type of education you get if you actually want to have a shot at working when you get a degree). IMO, unless you have a medical condition that warrants the use of the pill or some other medical condition, your on your own to purchase your birth control/contraceptives. They have no more right to have their birth control paid for then you or me. Anyhow, if they choose to get 'physical' and engage in certain activities, there are other things a couple can do that doesn't involve intercourse... there is plenty of fun to be had that doesn't include penetration.

[Lisa O'Brien]

First I don't know what kind of birth control she is using - but at $3000 a year that breaks down to  $250 a month. On average birth control pills range from $25 to $50. They should really look into cheaper options. Also I think planned parenthood provides birth control at a discount to those in need. Personally I think birth control pills should be covered by insurance - they have no problems covering Viagra and such. And you can believe if it was men that ended up pregnant not the other way around - that they would be covered.

[Dave]

In a fairness, I don't know if stuff like Viagra should be covered either unless there is a medical benefit to it. In some ways, it does make sense for insurance to cover birth control as birth control is relatively cheap compared to what happens if you don't use birth control. Your right though that the claim of $3000 a year for birth control is excessive... that are they are having a ton of sex... haha. I mean I've seen where in some places there are Target stores offering The Pill for as low as $9 and as far as condoms go, a guy can get 1 for a $1 or so although they would probably plan ahead and buy a box as they would hope to be putting them to use often.

[Willy]

I agree Dave. Why should Viagra be covered by insurance unless, of course, the old lady threatens to wear her leather and whips if he doesn't stand at attention.

[XLFD]

I can't think of anyone I knew back in college who spent $3000 a year on birth control/contraceptives, even adjusted for inflation.  I knew and associated with several geeks that made it on borrowed porn and Vaseline though, for under $2 a year, LOL. 

I would spend less than $200 on textbooks per year, and about $600 on food.  I guess I mistook the concept of college, but I didn't have the last name of "Fluke".

 

[Dave]

I thought it was kind of funny that the girls name was Fluke too.

Anyhow, like I say, just hard to have sympathy for people that are going to such an expensive school that can seem to manage their budgets to eek in that extra few bucks for "entertainment".

[Lisa O'Brien]

Xlfd,

Those Geeks might not have had a choice....

Dave,

Contrary to what many guys have said - they will not die without. Also I was thinking maybe the $3000 is including the cost of the hotel room - Maybe the notel motel isn't up to their standards.

[Marty Redman]

It just goes to show how far the US has fallen when stuff like this gets pushed in front of a congressional panel.  You give college students $3000 a year to spend on birth control and contraceptives and it just inflates the price of hookers for the rest of us. 

[RobbyK]

I read what she said and you're totally off-base, she didn't say yearly and she is there on a scholarship, shes not full of cash - just a woman who has some smarts and is devoted and worked for her scholarship. It has nothing that should have made Rush say what he said either.

http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidenti...

[Dave]

Thanks for clarifying... I've been meaning to do that myself... she indeed said that it was over her college career that the $3000 could be accumulated. As far as what she's doing there, that remains to be seen. I've been reading conflicting stories regarding Ms Fluke. Some say that she is 23 and some say that she is 30 for one thing so I'm not sure which one to believe at this point. She also might be in the minority at Georgetown Law as far as the whole birth control thing too... being a fine Catholic school for the most part, many of the students (not all of course) are inclined to practice abstinence unless married. The figure of $3000 is questionable as well as 'the pill' can be found in a generic form for as low as $5 and of course condoms can be found for less then a $1.At this point we don't know how much she is actually spending of her own cash and such so that question will have to remain up for debate for now... we basically just need more info as to who she really is, age wise and so forth.

Anyhow, the real question of the story is should anyone other then the person wishing to engage in sexual activity be responsible for the birth control? This isn't a question about a person using contraceptives for medical reasons... just for birth control.

[RobbyK]

I don't want to pay for others "pregnancy control" either, but the medical reasons are what she was focused on, mostly. She was ridiculed by Rush and it was distorted here too. The "pill" generally goes for $15 to $50 a month, depending on medicinal values and preferance. So, it could very easily get into the thousands for someone going to "law school". Why do we need more info on her? Isn't it the message that matters? Is this what the world is now a days? You want to agree with Rush so bad that she has to prove herself?

[Dave]

Why do we need more info about her? Simple... I want to know she's being honest. I mean when at this point they can't seem to confirm what age she is, how do we even know she is a student or how long she's been a student. Some reports basically have her as someone that is only attending Georgetown Law to get the policy changed with no intention of graduating.

If she is attending the school with the intention of graduating and is doing so with a grant/scholarship, fine.. no problem.. I have to think though that there are many students there paying their own way. I don't imagine a prestegious school like Georgetown just handing out free rides to everyone that wants one. They can't all be having a tough time paying for their sex life.

[XLFD]

She's a smart woman, and the $3000 figure was not an annual amount but an amount for the time you are there getting your degree.  Still, why should other people be forced to fund her fun, RobbyK?