A pro-contraception social media campaign engineered to bring awareness of the supposed positive aspects of birth control launched this week. It’s like the antithesis of our #PillKills campaign, for while we explain the dangers of birth control so that women will be informed and can make better decisions about their health, #ThxBirthControl gets users of the pill to share how they personally benefit from it.
However, an overarching truth is revealed when one peruses the #ThxBirthControl hashtag on Twitter. You begin to get a sense of a dark tone hidden in the shadows between the Tweets. Birth control is a symptom of a sad, broken state of affairs where the self matters most. This is the contraceptive mentality.
#ThxBirthControl for allowing me to earn my degrees and become well-respected in my field, whilst enjoying my sexuality and not procreating.
— Mia Ristovska (@miaballerina) November 12, 2015
Because no one can do this without birth control?
#ThxBirthControl for allowing me to continue to have my only child be my phone! #priorities #thatswhyiknowimnotready
— Michelle Gonzalez (@Mish310) November 11, 2015
#ThxBirthControl for regulating my periods and allowing me to enjoy sex without a crippling fear of pregnancy! Love you xoxo
— Kat Dixon (@katlaine) November 11, 2015
#ThxBirthControl for letting me not have to worry about pregnancy for three whole years! love my nexplanon implant ????
— amanda adrienne (@AmandaRising) November 11, 2015
#ThxBirthControl because I will do whatever I want with my body, whether its have 100 babies or sleep with 100 men or just regulate my body
— Why do I need to wri (@Miss_Voltage) November 11, 2015
#ThxBirthControl for getting rid of my acne. You’re a blessing.
— Melissa Fuqqin Ruby (@moomissah) November 12, 2015
Birth Control allows me to have freedom, enjoy my marriage, and focus my love on our sweet, sweet puppy. #ThxBirthControl
— Amlys López (@Amlys) November 11, 2015
Super duper glad I didn’t have babies with my exes #ThxBirthControl – related note, I am still a baby at 34.
— Heather Fink (@heatherfink) November 11, 2015
The social media campaign even showed up, ironically enough, on Self Magazine:
People are tweeting the best and funniest things using #ThxBirthControl: https://t.co/Vdm7FhBBNX pic.twitter.com/OpfU12IcAa
— SELF Magazine (@SELFmagazine) November 11, 2015
Many of the praises for birth control imply a lifestyle incompatible with success if birth control didn’t exist at all.
#ThxBirthControl for allowing me to obtain my Bachelor’s & get hired at one of the best companies in Houston! I am independent. No regrets.
— coughee steam (@SeaGlassBrooke) November 11, 2015
But when you look harder at the user’s message, premarital sex really does get in the way of one’s intended life goals.
Meanwhile, others chimed in with a few harsh realities of birth control’s consequences:
For sending my happy & vibrant self on a nonstop rollercoaster ride featuring anger, anxiety & depression #ThxBirthControl #butnothanks
— Jenny (@LittlestWay) November 11, 2015
You didn’t have control before? You must be very weak/out of control women. #ThxBirthControl https://t.co/3mIgXiEBpM
— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) November 10, 2015
#ThxBirthControl but I can control myself. I don’t need you.
— Laura S Brown (@laurab_snm) November 12, 2015
For sending my happy & vibrant self on a nonstop rollercoaster ride featuring anger, anxiety & depression #ThxBirthControl #butnothanks
— Jenny (@LittlestWay) November 11, 2015
For giving a friend a lifelong clotting disorder #ThxBirthControl #butnothanks
— Erin McCole Cupp (@ErinMCOP) November 11, 2015
At the age 20 I suffered a blood clot at the back of my eye, and had permanent damage. Culprit? The pill. #ThxBirthControl #butnothanks
— Jen Frost (@faithandfabric) November 11, 2015