# Small victory for women's rights over Wal-Mart **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 15, 2006, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712 "2006-02-15T23:24:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/61 "2006-02-19T01:18:21Z")
> [@Jeep's Phoenix](#): > > I’m still waiting to hear an explanation of “united fetus.” At this point, I can’t help but think that there might be a confederate fetus too. > > Seriously though – “united” with what? Not sperm and egg. I was too lazy to look up the bio teacher terms for it. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/62 "2006-02-19T15:15:46Z")
\*\*Question: \*\* When an American woman wishes to get an IUD, does her doctor prescribe it for her, and then she picks it up from a pharmacy before returning to the doctor to have it placed? It’s what happens in the UK and Ireland anyway. It lead me to wonder, will Walmart stock IUDs? If they will stock IUDs and IUSs, they have absolutely no defence in not stocking Plan B, as IUDs and IUSs may work by preventing implantation in some cases. Personally, I’d recommend that all women reliant on barrier contraception or oral contraceptives and who have no physical contraindications or moral objection to emergency contraception get a “just in case” Plan B/Levonelle prescription and have it filled. That way it doesn’t matter if you can’t see your doctor/get to a pharmacy within the 72 hours, you just take the pills you have at home. It’s what my sister and several of my friends did before they travelled the world, on the recommendation of their doctors. None of them used the pills, but they felt safer knowing that should they meet the man of their dreams on the Inca trail/ halfway up the Mekong/on a desert island, and their contraception failed, they had other options available. Just because you have to take the pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex, doesn’t mean you have to _buy_ them within the 72 hours. Personally, if Mifepristone proves to be safer, more effective and better tolerated than Levonorgestrel I’m all for its use as Emergency Contraception. It’s a choice for each individual woman and her doctor to make, not the state and not the pharmacy. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/63 "2006-02-19T15:29:21Z")
> [@irishgirl](#): > > \*\*Question: \*\* > When an American woman wishes to get an IUD, does her doctor prescribe it for her, and then she picks it up from a pharmacy before returning to the doctor to have it placed? It’s what happens in the UK and Ireland anyway. I am now torn between fantasies of meeting Harrison Ford types in a primitive village somewhere and having “native” sex and also astonishment at how other countries solve these issues. American pharmacies do NOT dispense IUDs (to the best of my knowledge–mine didn’t come from a pharmacy!). Docs or clinics keep them in their office or clinic. It’s a sterile object and needs to be kept that way–I can only imagine the liabililty if women were allowed to take it home and then go to the doc the next day or whatever. My mind reels, actually. Some idiot is bound to open it and let BF play with it or try to replicate it out of paper clips or some ungodly thing. :eek: But I guess it works for Ireland. I am puzzled as to why the need for two separate visits for you all, though. Is this the way BC is made more difficult in Ireland ?(I am not up on the status of Irish contraceptive laws). ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/64 "2006-02-19T16:18:03Z")
Birth control is easily available and pretty cheap in Ireland (it’s free to women with low enough incomes). Mirena contains a drug, so it is prescribed, and thus dispensed, by a pharmacy. The gynae hospitals, of course, have their own supply, for women who have them fitted under anaesthesia. As fitting an IUD is usually done at certain times of the month and usually requires a second visit after the decision is made by the woman to have one fitted it doesn’t slow anything down much at all. There are tamper-proof seals on the packaging so the docs know if it has been opened, and very few women would waste 300euros by messing with their IUS anyway! However, I do know of a couple of elderly Irish GPs who won’t prescribe contraception at all, or only to married women or something like that (but there are only about 5 of them, all their patients know who they are and they all live out in the rural West). The only story that really scared me was one friend who, when asking for emergency contraception, was told by her extrememly elderly family doctor that she wouldn’t need it as long as she’d “got up quickly afterwards”! :smack: :rolleyes: :eek: Thankfully, she knew better and got what she came for. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/65 "2006-02-19T20:50:11Z")
> [@fetus](#): > > This fetus unites with no-one.\ You know, most guys wouldn’t brag about that. 😃 I think the elephant in the room that no one in North America ever gets around to discussing in these debates is the morality of continuing to have unchecked population growth. I am aware that the common attitude towards over-population is that it’s someone else’s problem (read: China, India, and Africa), but when are all the people who are against any form of contraception going to wake up and realize that they’re morality doesn’t mean much when it’s up against the real possibility of human beings ceasing to exist on this planet because we’ve so spectacularly fouled our own nest? ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/66 "2006-02-20T00:04:56Z")
I agree. How are all the mouths to be fed. Oh wait–the Deity will provide or some such. Of course, the current admin is helping overpopulate the rest of the world with the lack of funding to clinics that support AB etc. \ I don’t recall my IUD needing 2 visits–but there may have been. At any rate, the IUD was there and ready at the doc’s office when I was ready for it. Best BC I ever used-I recommend them highly. But to answer the question–Walmart would not stock them here. I am not sure about condoms–though I am sure that Walmart stocks Viagra–yet another disconnect in our strange morality about sex over here. ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/67 "2006-02-20T02:12:23Z")
I know this is a hijack, but I just have a quick question. I don’t understand how stocking Viagra and not stocking Plan B is a moral disconnect about sex. The two are for entirely different purposes. And yes, Wal Mart carries condoms. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/68 "2006-02-20T17:29:08Z")
You don’t find it disingenous to carry meds that can increase (or restore) sexual function, but not carry meds and stuff that aid contraception? Do you believe in sexual responsibility? One comes (sorry) with the other. I was not aware that Walmart carries condoms–I have never seen them there, but I don’t condom shop. My tubes are tied (just heading off the next question). It surprises me that they do stock them, for some reason. My Dutch Reformed owned local grocery won’t stock pregnancy tests, condoms or evenK-Y. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/69 "2006-02-20T21:52:50Z")
Just as an FYI, a local drug store here stocks not only a nice selection of condoms, but also boxed up vibrators and dildos. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2006, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/70 "2006-02-20T23:26:15Z")
> [@Doctor Jackson](#): > > > [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > > > I’d like to see anything in the Constitution which states the government can’t require a store to sell something. > > How very disingenious! The Constitution of the United States sets forth the powers of government. If a power not is expressly given the government in the Contitution, then the government does not have that power. Perhaps you can show me where the Constitution grants the power for government to control the merchandise offered by private business. Found it yet? Didn’t think so. Well, since the point in issue is regulation by the State of Massachusetts, via its Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy, it’s a red herring to ask what the U.S. Constitution authorises. The point is to ask, what does the [Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts](http://www.mass.gov/legis/const.htm) authorise? > [@Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts](#): > > PREAMBLE. > > The end of the institution, maintenance, and administration of government, is to secure the existence of the body politic, to protect it, **and to furnish the individuals who compose it with the power of enjoying in safety and tranquillity their natural rights,** and the blessings of life: and whenever these great objects are not obtained, the people have a right to alter the government, and to take measures necessary for their safety, prosperity and happiness. > > … > > PART THE SECOND > The Frame of Government. > > Chapter I. > THE LEGISLATIVE POWER. > SECTION 1. > The General Court. > > Article IV. And further, full power and authority are hereby given and granted to the said general court [i.e. - the Legislature of Massachusetts], from time to time, to make, ordain, and establish, **all manner of wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, and ordinances, directions and instructions** , either with penalties or without; so as the same be not repugnant or contrary to this constitution, **as they shall judge to be for the good and welfare of this commonwealth,** and for the government and ordering thereof, and **of the subjects of the same,** > … and to set forth the several duties, powers, and limits, of the several civil and military officers of this commonwealth So it would appear that the citizens of Massachusetts, through their Constitution, have granted extensive powers to their state Legislature to pass laws on “all manner of wholesome and reasonable” topics, “as they shall judge to be for the good and welfare of this commonwealth”, and for the citizens of the Commonwealth. Further, the Preamble indicates that one of the purposes of government is to assist citizens to be able to enjoy their natural rights. Overall, that’s a very broad grant of legislative authority, and does not have any immediate restriction that I can see that would prevent the Legislature of Massachusetts from passing this sort of law, compelling those who wish to enter the heavily regulated business of selling drugs, to provide certain types of drugs for sale. That is particularly the case when the drug in question relates so closely to the personal choices of the person wanting to buy it: the decision to conceive or not seems a very strong candidate for a “natural right” in this context. As well, the state Constitution leaves it to the good judgment of the elected officials to pass such laws. Personally, I don’t see a restriction there on the state government’s ability to pass a law regulating drug-stores. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/71 "2006-02-21T00:06:31Z")
This is a step forward. My employer’s health insurance requires that I fill my prescriptions at Walgreens. It is just as feasible for them to require I fill them at Walmart. If that is the case, then it is more imperative where our choices are limited by our employers. The bottom line is, if MY doctor prescribes it, who is well aware of my medical condition, history and health, then the pharmacist should fill it. It isn’t about pro-choice/pro-life, it’s about someone/something imposing their moral values in an arena they are sorely suited to battle in. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/72 "2006-02-21T02:20:12Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > My Dutch Reformed owned local grocery won’t stock pregnancy tests, condoms or evenK-Y. :rolleyes: Heh. My Dutch Reformed owned local grocery is part of a national chain, and was told that if they wanted to keep their franchise they’d have to either stock liquor or open up the store on Sunday. They stocked liquor. But they don’t have condoms, pregnancy tests, or spermicide either. I don’t know about K-Y tho. I’ll have to check! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/73 "2006-02-21T02:42:14Z")
No pregnancy tests? I can see the other stuff, but why on earth wouldn’t they sell pregnancy tests? ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/74 "2006-02-21T03:01:41Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > No pregnancy tests? I can see the other stuff, but why on earth wouldn’t they sell pregnancy tests? The KY doesn’t make any sense either. It has uses beyond sex. > [@featherlou](#): > > Just as an FYI, a local drug store here stocks not only a nice selection of condoms, but also boxed up vibrators and dildos. Wow, Canada is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2006, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/75 "2006-02-21T14:46:55Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#): > > \ > Wow, Canada is awesome. Got that right. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/76 "2006-02-22T03:04:00Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > No pregnancy tests? I can see the other stuff, but why on earth wouldn’t they sell pregnancy tests? WAG: If you know early, it’s easier to do something to end it, should that be your intent. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/77 "2006-02-22T15:29:25Z")
I can see your point, **Ferret Herder** , and you’re probably right, but that kind of thinking (I mean the thinking that produces that action, not yours) just burns my butt. How presumptuous, to think that they can assign motives to people, and try to guide people’s actions into what _they_ consider the right path. It fills me with grrrr. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712/78 "2006-02-22T15:40:49Z")
Yes, apparently, ignorance is bliss (having had truck with the DR community in the past-my husband worked in a bank that had a lot of DR employees), and since you shouldn’t be having sex outside of marriage anyway, why should you need to know if you’re pregnant? And if you are married, all babies are to be born-because they are miracles from God, so why the need to know then? (I don’t ascribe to this way of thinking, I have just experienced it). But I really think it comes down to avoiding the whole messy subject entirely–I think that they wouldn’t sell toilet paper or tampons, either, if they could get away with it. I’ve never met such a group of people so natural funciton averse. Odd to say the least. The only other thing I have ever used K-Y for is inserting NG (naso-gastric) tubes into pts–not something that is done at home (normally). My mind boggles re the uses of KY (and please, don’t share them!). 🙂 **feather** --I agree, and hence my glee at Jason Jones on the Daily Show skewering the Righteous Pharmacist…I believe his words were (paraphrased), “how dare the state of Illinois sit in judgement of you? It’s your job to sit in judgement of the women who use your pharmacy!”. Perfect. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-victory-for-womens-rights-over-wal-mart/344712.md?page=3)