The Importance of Our Planned Parenthood Institutions
by Sanjana Jagarlapudi
In the current political climate of our country, a multitude of heavy terms are regularly thrown around without either context or proper research. It is extremely important that we ensure the accuracy and relevance of our words before speaking on matters pertaining to the livelihood and well-being of others. One of these issues that is currently a burning topic is our Planned Parenthood organizations. These establishments are responsible for a myriad of services, many of which seem to go ignored.
Firstly, the notion that the majority of the resources Planned Parenthood provides pertain to abortions is utterly and completely false. From treatments to deathly diseases and STDs to easily available birth control, their services provide women with affordable and much needed health care. The list of resources and supports that the organization provides is endless; here are some of the many:
Checks and treats for Ovarian, Testicular, Breast, Prostate, and many other Cancers
Educates about STDs and provides safety measures to prevent them
Supplies easy and affordable forms of contraception and birth control
Helps with menstrual cycle abnormalities for women of all ages
Provides LGBT services (e.g., hormone treatments for those apart of the trans community)
Provides Men’s Health Services (helps with issues such as erectile dysfunction)
Provides Fertility and Pregnancy Health Services
Provides other General Health Care
Planned Parenthood, while it does offer abortions, also provides men and women with the vital health care that other insurance companies and health care plans cannot and will not always cover or provide for them.
Moreover, if the main rebuttal towards these institutions is that abortion is murder, then these institutions are actually the protagonists in this situation. In a recent study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute for Planned Parenthood, in 2017, the United States hit a record low abortion rate. The organization states that, “During this period, the rates of both abortions and births declined in almost all states — meaning fewer people became pregnant.” Due to the introduction of safe sex education and better resources for women to have control over their body, abortion rate actually decreased. Thus, if the ultimate goal is to reduce the amount of abortions, then the safest, most effective thing this country can do is keep Planned Parenthood alive!
As the organization states in its name, every woman deserves to be a parent when she can be a planned and prepared parent.
*The main sources for this article are provided by Planned Parenthood: (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/)