The Pill.

This Sunday, the contraceptive that we all know simply as "the pill" hit its 50th anniversary, falling, ironically enough, on Mother's Day. USA Today ran a front page story on the pregnancy prevention, informing me, a mere 21 year old with little knowledge of the pill's history, a brief lesson in the intricacies of pill-reactions.

Originally, many conservatives assumed that the pill would increase general promiscuity amongst women because it made sex without repercussions possible. In reality though, I think women would be promiscuous regardless of taking the pill. Similarly, many people believed the pill would encourage premarital sex, without realizing that the contraceptive could be a good preventative measure within a marriage.

Looking back, the pill, from what I can tell, has been nothing but a good thing because it has given freedom to women. It has created, as the article states, "a sexual revolution". It has given women the opportunity and the comfort of having some semblance of control with their sex life and their fertility. True, there is more responsibility in making sure that the pills are taken when they should be taken, but, speaking from personal experience, it is a fall back that prevents sleepless nights. Unfortunately, it has provided pressure in the way of sexual interactions and relationships because, if one is taking the pill, then what's the problem with sex? Why does a woman have to say no if she doesn't have to worry? I think the pill is a learning experience for women when it comes to specific situations like these.

Ultimately, the pill has revolutionized the way women look upon and feel about sex. Sex is a choice, and the contraceptive may make that choice that much more smooth. But most importantly, it is something that a woman can control, and no one can take that away from her. True, this may make others (conservative men) uneasy, but shit happens.