On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
Kitten, that site is good in general, but the chart kind of oversimplifies things-- and it's actually based on older calculations of method failure rates. The newer study is based on an improved methodology.
That site does have a good explanation of the normal vs perfect use difference, though:
"Typical use refers to how the average person uses that method of birth control (compared to "perfect" use, which means no mistakes are made in using that method)." A mistake can be anything: not pulling out in time, using a condom that's been kept in your wallet, taking your pill a few hours late. It's not about being stupid, it's just human error.
(Also, it actually doesn't say 4% vs 40%, it says 15% vs 27%. The specific numbers are in the second column.)
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On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
In terms of pregnancy prevention, withdrawal is nearly equivalent to condoms. It really isn't the sexual equivalent of driving drunk.
When it comes to STDs- of course withdrawal doesn't protect against them, and nobody is saying that it does. But neither does the pill. They are both methods of pregnancy prevention, not STD prevention, and should be evaluated on those merits. If you're at risk of an STD, neither method is appropriate, but nobody attacks pill users this way.
Telling people that it's useless or stupid to use withdrawal discourages them from using it when the choice is between withdrawal or nothing at all. End result: more pregnancies. And that's why I got so pissed off.
I'm sorry to be ranty. But I do public health research for a living, and it drives me crazy to see these myths perpetuated. They're dangerous, and people deserve better.
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On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
Ya know, the pill doesn't protect against STDs either. Just saying.
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On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
I've been reading Balk for years. I think he's awesome and funny and he has a very talented Cock. But I stand by my original assertion that this piece is bullshit. He doesn't actually know what he's talking about in this particular case.
If you would like to explain to me exactly how this rebuke was poorly conceived, I'd be happy to talk about it. I could have gone into a lot more detail in my original comment, but I didn't want to hijack the thread.
I'm not trying to start fights, but I'm also not apologizing for anything.
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On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
Balk, I love you, but this is a bullshit piece. There's a difference between snark and straight up misrepresentation of the facts. This was a legitimate study, and anyone with background in the field could tell you that.
Equating withdrawal with "jumping up and down 15 times after he shoots" is exactly the sort of oversimplifying scare tactic that the crazy Bushies have been using for years. Even if it's complicated, people deserve to know the truth. Especially when it affects their ability to protect themselves from something as serious as an unwanted pregnancy.
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On Science Gives The Withdrawl Method A Big Thumbs Up
Well, if you as an individual are in that group for who it's not effective (that 17% of condom users and 18% of withdrawal users), than yeah, you're right. Nearly as effective is not a phrase you want to hear. But from a public health standpoint, "nearly as effective" translates to "thousands of unwanted pregnancies averted." So that's kind of a big deal.