Planned Parenthood Essay

Abortion has been and still is one of the most controversial topics in American culture. The reason for the controversy is the different viewpoints of this very personal matter. Some believe that abortion is the same as murder. Others believe it’s a personal choice which only they have the right to make. Due to the nature of the procedure and the concerns associated with ending a pregnancy, abortion will continue to top the list of “touchy” subjects in American politics and culture. As a pro-choice advocate, it is important for the right to have an abortion to be established and protected.

Planned Parenthood is a controversial topic sweeping the nation of America with political and moral issues. Every day one could come across a new article on it, stubble upon a news article in their local paper or even on their local news station. Planned Parenthood directly provides reproductive health services, is involved in teach young students about sexual education, contributes to research in reproductive technology, and interacts with legal and political efforts aimed at protecting and developing reproductive rights.

Planned Parenthood is a widely known nonprofit organization. They are the health care provider for millions of people within our nation. When people hear the words Planned Parenthood they automatically assume abortion. Yes, abortion is a service that they offer yet, they deliver much more than that. They deliver and educate us about birth control, cancer, men and women’s sexual health, pregnancy, sexual orientation and offer the Morning-After Pill (emergency contraception) and sexually transmitted disease screenings. Planned Parenthood is a large organization. “Planned Parenthood consists of 159 medical and non-medical affiliates, which operate over 650 health clinics in the United States. It partners with organizations in 12 countries

When getting the word on the street I had to keep an open mind to what I would find. Whether it be the ravings of mad men or the opinion of politicians, there is always a story to be found if you take the time out to ask someone about their day. Lucky for me I found two willing individuals that were willing to share their views on the public literacy practices of Planned Parenthood and their participation with the organization. What endeared me to this practice was that it literally screams to me first amendment and I dare you to stop me. Having read their responses, I have found that there are a multitude of ways one can advocate for their cause. They, along with thousands of other supporters, made a stand to have their voices heard. Reviewing the work Planned Parenthood does, I find the support they have amazing.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that provides healthcare and education to both men and women, having over 650 health centers that provide healthcare to countless communities around the world. Shockingly, 78% of those who use Planned Parenthoods services live at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, showing how important this organization is to low-income families (Topulos, Greene, Drazen). Their mission statement is “A Reason for Being”, which is shown through their efforts to provide health care, advocate public policies, create educational programs, and endorse research. There are those who do not believe Planned Parenthood should be funded by the government, though, due to the fact that they provide abortions to women in need. Studies show that the effects of not having Planned Parenthood available are disastrous, causing low-income families to lack a healthcare provider and the number of those who are infected with STD’s and STI’s to rise. The biggest concern communities have about the government defunding Planned Parenthood is the effects that it would have on low-income families who would no longer have access to something that many people take for granted: health care. Although many believe that Planned Parenthood mostly provides abortions, in reality, only 3% of the people that seek help from them receive an abortion, while 97% receive affordable and, in many cases,

Abortions only make up three percent of the procedures done at Planned Parenthood clinics (“2014 2015 Annual Report”). There are a variety of other life saving and essential health care procedures done at the clinics, such as STD and STI testing, pregnancy tests, contraception, exams, and other health issues relating to both men and women. Many people believe that the federal government should defund planned parenthood; however, this would make it almost impossible for many low-income individuals to receive the care that they need. The federal government should not defund Planned Parenthood (PP) because abortion is not a valid reason for opposing funding because it is allowed by law, low-income individuals and families need the affordable

In overview, Planned Parenthood is an underappreciated healthcare resource that has helped terminate/prevent unwanted pregnancy, contributed to vital medical research, and educated persons of all ages in matters including sexuality and safe practices/choices.

When one contemplates the concept of eugenics, few think of modern contraception and abortion when in reality they are one in the same. The American Eugenics Society, founded in 1923, proudly proclaimed that men with incurable “conditions” should be sterilized. However these conditions were often none that could be helped, such as, one’s intelligence, race, and social class (Schweikart and Allen 529-532). The purpose of the society was to create the perfect class of men; elite in all ways. Likewise, Margaret Sanger’s feminist, contraceptive movement was not originally founded with this purpose. It was marketed as a way to control the population and be merciful to those yet to be born, again determined also by race and

Planned parenthood has been a topic of controversy the last couple of years, as people throughout the nation ask whether or not the healthcare organization should be defunded. When video footage was released in 2015 of “Planned Parenthood medical officials discussing the sale of fetal tissue to researchers,” it seemed likely that federal funds would be revoked as backlash from the public was noted (Welch). Although the nonprofit organization does offer the termination of unplanned pregnancies, the organization offers many more services to women and men, such as free birth control and yearly health checkups “backed by medical experts and more than 100 years of research in reproductive health” (Planned Parenthood). As many people struggle financially to provide for their families, Planned Parenthood’s services are a relief to those who otherwise would not be able to afford healthcare, which is why the organization should not be defunded.

"Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare, providing birth control, pap smears, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and pregnancy tests to 5 million people each year. It has an annual budget of $800 million, 860 clinics, at least one representative in each state and enough members and staff that its reach into the grassroots is unmatched by any other entity fighting for reproductive freedom and women's equality" (Conniff, 2012).

Birth control, condoms, examinations, intrauterine devices, safe sex advice, discussions about identity, the list seems to go on forever. Everything stated and more is what all sexually active or simply curious individuals should know about and have access to no matter their monetary situations. Planned Parenthood is one place where people have access to all of these. Opposed to popular belief, Planned Parenthood is more than just an abortion clinic. In fact, abortions were not preformed until its legalization in the United States in 1973 (Our Bodies Ourselves). The debate over Planned Parenthood needs to come to an end, and funding must continue in order to ensure the safety of those who choose to be sexually active.

     The topic of abortion has been a highly debated and highly controversial issue before America was even founded. There are many aspects of the debate and many angles that can be taken. In order to understand, and to form an opinion on the topic of abortion a person must be informed about the History of abortion, the methods of abortion performed today, the potential side affects of abortion, and the two different and equally debatable sides that are taken today. These are all very important issues to be informed about

Millions of women across America will struggle to receive the medical attention they need if the federal government stops funding to Planned Parenthood. Every year 363 million dollars goes into the funding “pot” collectively at Planned Parenthood’s nationwide (Clark 5). This money is used predominantly by women; for six in ten women, Planned Parenthood acts as their main source of health care (Clark 4). Many individuals with low incomes depend on these clinics to maintain or help better their health. Recently, the federal government is trying to pass the Pence Amendment, which would eliminate funding to these institutions. The federal government needs to realize how important Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood sites provide testing for sexually transmitted diseases and preventative screenings for reproductive system cancers. In 2011, Planned Parenthood sites tested an average of 2.6 million clients for gonorrhea and chlamydia, 1.3 million clients for HIV and 744,000 for syphilis (Frost, 2013). Fourteen to Eighteen percent of all U.S. women aged 15–44, received STI and HIV testing and treatment from providers receiving Title X funds.3 Planned Parenthood, in 2010, sites also provided preventative Pap smears and breast exams to 1.4 million and 1.9 million clients respectively (Frost,

Another consequence that will have to be dealt with in the event that a bill stripping Planned Parenthood of funding is passed, is the loss of a safe, non-judgmental place for men and women to receive sex-education, birth control, general health care, treatment for STDs, pap smears and breast exams, and refuge and support for those in abusive relationships. All of these services make up 97% percent of what Planned Parenthood does, leaving only three percent of what they do as being abortions. With the help of Planned Parenthood, the rate of teen pregnancy is declining and is a 20-year low, one million people outside the US receive health care they wouldn’t otherwise have access to, the rate of the diagnosis of and death from cervical cancer has