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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Birth control, splitting the cost

28 replies

VestalVirgin · 02/05/2016 20:11

I just read a column by the awesome Bad Advisor, who tells letter writers what they actually want to hear: thatbadadvice.tumblr.com/

Many of her answers are to letters written to Ask Amy; www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/askamy/ct-ask-amy-ae-0502-20160502-column.html

I was a bit baffled, to be honest, that this woman felt the need to ask if it was okay to ask to split the cost for the pill as opposed to paying for it all herself.

If I am being completely honest, I would expect a man to pay for the pill, completely. (Not that I would ever put myself at risk by taking artificial hormones just so that vaginal intercourse can be had, as I am not that keen on it, anyway. But in theory.)

One person does all the work and takes all the risk, is it not then fair that the other person pay for the "fun"?

If I was more into vaginal sex than I am, then perhaps I would offer to pay half for condoms ... but the pill? Which puts all the risk and responsibility on me? Nope.

Is this attitude (woman should pay for the pill herself, even though she has just this one sex partner) common?

The asker asks how to handle it if the man refuses to pay half. I'd recommend to get rid of him as he clearly wouldn't be worth her time in that case.

Confused
OP posts:
VestalVirgin · 02/05/2016 20:22

I'm not from the UK, and was more interested in the theoretical attitude to the question. (It is theoretical for me, anyway.)

It being an NHS service is very sensible, no doubt, but if you had to pay for it individually, how would you do it?

OP posts:
TurnOffTheTv · 02/05/2016 20:20

But you don't pay for contraception? And I'm sure condoms are free at the clinic as well.

Helenluvsrob · 02/05/2016 20:14

Odd question to pose on a site with a mainly uk based population.

In the uk contraception is free at the point if delivery as a nhs service. It doesn't attract prescription charges ever.