Liberals are winning the war among youth, and are doing so by painting a picture that our Conservative movement is uncomfortable with women’s rights. It's consistently been proven wrong, but only a few are standing up to prove why the "war on women" is a mere fairytale. As a college student, I am embedded in a culture to which “condoms, birth control, and contraceptives” are terms as commonly used as Starbucks or homework. It's been estimated that upwards of 61% of college females are on birth control (for various reasons).* 61% is a big voting population. Big. We shouldn't focus on the reasons that women choose to be on the pill, but how Conservatism actually supports the freedom to make that decision. It’s safe to assume that most Conservatives do not care if women are on the pill, but rather how it’s paid for and by whom. Condoms shouldn’t be free, contraceptives shouldn’t be free and birth control shouldn’t be free.

Many college females are fine with paying for their own birth control. Great! That’s the way it should be. Leftists like Sandra Fluke will argue that birth control has societal benefits like population control, sexual freedom and thus should be free… salads and healthy foods keep arteries from clogging and healthcare costs down, but you don’t see anyone complaining that those should be free. Though I'm sure you could find a group who would. I and most Conservatives do not care what anyone does with their personal lives. We really don't. If you want birth control pills, then get them. We only ask one thing; pay for it on your own. Not only do I think that's very reasonable but many women in fact, already do pay for the pills on their own. All grown up and such. If you can’t afford it, then get a job to afford it or refrain from sexual relations. No one will ask questions of  your personal life until you demand that society pay for your decisions. It's that simple. If we frame the argument around being fiscally responsible and not anti-contraceptive, we'll have a better chance of resonating with young women to help our cause.

By going this route we do not have to stray from our Pro-Life stance. Once conception occurs that human has its God-given right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Life means life, and it’s morally reprehensible for that human to be aborted regardless of Roe v. Wade. This doesn't mean Conservatives don’t support responsible family planning; contraceptives have been widely available since the 1800’s and should definitely remain available. Conservatives should simply oppose the public being forced to burden the cost of one's private sexual decisions. We have to frame our argument around being inviting, being responsible, and not expecting anything in life to be free, which is very popular among young women regardless of what the media may try and sell you.

*

http://www.acha-ncha.org/docs/ACHA-NCHA-II_UNDERGRAD_ReferenceGroup_ExecutiveSummary_Spring2013.pdf