This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utahns are embarrassed, once again, as Sen. Mike Lee joined the chorus of "slut shamers" when he agreed that women use birth control to protect themselves from "recreational behavior." His ignorance to the realities and complexities of women's reproductive health unfortunately don't keep him from speaking about it and showcasing his misogynistic attitudes toward women.
Sexual health treatment for men is universally accepted without condemnation yet women's reproductive health decisions are questioned, barriers are put in their way, and now, the religious views of a woman's boss will play a role.
A few facts for Sen. Lee: according to the Centers for Disease Control, 88 percent of child-bearing women use some form of birth control. Forty-seven percent of those women are married. In addition to pregnancy prevention, birth control is also prescribed to manage irregular or absent menstrual periods, menstrual cramps, acne, PMS, endometriosis, and for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Simply put, birth control is medicine, and a women's family-planning decisions should not include her boss . . . or her senator.
Stacy Young
Salt Lake City