Ilr 206: the Role of Media on Emergency Contraception
The role of Media on Emergency Contraception/Preliminary Draft
Jade Birkley
ILR 260 / Information Literacy
October 19, 2012
Dr. Christine Photinos
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role media has played in shaping public perception of emergency contraception. Some of the major issues found in the key findings of empirical studies and current cognition, and the relevance for everyday life will all be discussed.
Media such as news and internet represent the most easily remediable influence on people and their views even down to their sexual attitudes and behaviors. “In 1922, Lippmann argued that mass communication could become the basis for people’s views of the world” (Perse, 2001). After much empirical research, ninety years later there is no disbelief that the media can be very influential on many issues. The media has influenced popular opinion in many controversial matters and one of the most controversial is emergency contraception. What has been the role of the media in shaping public perception of emergency contraception? That very question is what this paper will address.
Before examining the role media has played on the public’s perception it is important that a general understanding about what emergency contraception is be established. Emergency contraception (EC) or the morning after pill is a contraception that prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse due to contraception failure, non-use or rape. EC may work in two ways: 1) by inhibiting ovulation or 2) by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus; however, it cannot work if you’re already pregnant. EC is not an abortion pill. Furthermore, use of EC can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy by up to 75%-89% if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or contraception failure. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) “unintended pregnancy continues to be a major public health issue in
Jade Birkley
ILR 260 / Information Literacy
October 19, 2012
Dr. Christine Photinos
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the role media has played in shaping public perception of emergency contraception. Some of the major issues found in the key findings of empirical studies and current cognition, and the relevance for everyday life will all be discussed.
Media such as news and internet represent the most easily remediable influence on people and their views even down to their sexual attitudes and behaviors. “In 1922, Lippmann argued that mass communication could become the basis for people’s views of the world” (Perse, 2001). After much empirical research, ninety years later there is no disbelief that the media can be very influential on many issues. The media has influenced popular opinion in many controversial matters and one of the most controversial is emergency contraception. What has been the role of the media in shaping public perception of emergency contraception? That very question is what this paper will address.
Before examining the role media has played on the public’s perception it is important that a general understanding about what emergency contraception is be established. Emergency contraception (EC) or the morning after pill is a contraception that prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse due to contraception failure, non-use or rape. EC may work in two ways: 1) by inhibiting ovulation or 2) by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus; however, it cannot work if you’re already pregnant. EC is not an abortion pill. Furthermore, use of EC can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy by up to 75%-89% if taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or contraception failure. According to the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) “unintended pregnancy continues to be a major public health issue in
References: Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. (2011). Update on emergency contraception. Retrieved October 21, 2012 from http://www.arhp.org/uploadDocs/CPECUpdate.pdf Belluck, P. (2012, June 5). Abortion qualms on morning-after pill may be unfounded. The New York Times on the Web. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/health/research/morning-after-pills-dont-block-implantation-science-suggests.html?_r=3&ref=pambelluck& Goldsmith, K. A., Kasehagen, L. J., Rosenberg, K. D., Sandoval, A. P., & Lapidus, J. A. (2008). Unintended childbearing and knowledge of emergency contraception in a population-based survey of postpartum women. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 12(3), 332-341. doi:10.1007/s10995-007-0252-x Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.nu.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=11&hid=117&sid=f3f9195c-cdc4-478f-a9b4-67c29dc4f589%40sessionmgr14 Health Study. (2002). The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved from http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20021217/A_NEWS/312179965&cid=sitesearch Perse, E. M. (2001). Media effects and society. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Sherman, C. A. (2005). Emergency Contraception: The Politics of Post-Coital Contraception. Journal Of Social Issues, 61(1), 139-157. doi:10.1111/j.0022-4537.2005.00398.x Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.nu.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=13&hid=2&sid=f3f9195c-cdc4-478f-a9b4-67c29dc4f589%40sessionmgr14 The Emergency Contraception Website. (2012). Retrieved from http://ec.princeton.edu/ Vahratian, A., Patel, D. A., Wolff, K., & Xiao, X. (2008). College students ' perceptions of emergency contraception provision. Journal Of Women 's Health (15409996), 17(1), 103-111. doi:10.1089/jwh.2007.0391 Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.nu.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8b153047-69f8-4121-a7fa-e419c3c0f451%40sessionmgr114&vid=7&hid=4 Westley, E., & Glasier, A. (2010). Emergency contraception: Dispelling the myths and misperceptions. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 88(4), 243-A. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.nu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/229562406?accountid=25320