Disclaimer: much of what I'm about to discuss is purely MY OWN OPINION. You are free to disagree.

It always comes up. Whether in an academic conversation in class, a political debate between politicians, or even in a more casual setting of a friendly chat between confidantes, the subject always somehow manages to slip between the cracks of conversation and into our daily lives, especially nowadays. In this time of political tension, dissension, and unease, it seems that the only way you can truly understand someone is through their political values.

Are you a Democrat or a Republican?

Liberal, or nah?

Do you support women's rights? Are you a feminist?

Are you pro-immigrant, or pro-same-sex marriage?

Planned Parenthood: yay or nay?

Planned Parenthood has always been a hot topic, and recently it's come under fire. Now that it's facing the threat of permanent closure nation-wide, it seems that people are asking this question more than ever:

Are you pro-choice, or pro-life?

I'm both, and here's why:

While I personally could never abort myself, no matter what, I am sensitive to those who are considering doing so and have the medical need.

For example, if a woman will die should she ever give birth, I believe that she should be allowed to do so; she'll die otherwise! Another scenario where I would lean towards abortion would be pregnancy caused by rape and/or incest.

Both such things are extremely painstakingly traumatic experiences to go through, and a woman, in my opinion, should not have to be forced to subject her body (and, for many, the remainder of her life) and carry the result of such a union if she doesn't wish to. Enough said.

However, I do not condone carelessness.

When you have sex with someone, you have to understand everything that could possibly happen. Sometimes, the condom just breaks, or you forget to take your pill. Or you just plain forget to use protection. I get it, it happens.

When you have sex voluntarily, you obviously know what can happen. And many choose to do it anyway. Everyone knows that protection isn't full-proof. Everyone knows how babies are made.

So when you still choose to have sex with this knowledge in mind, while knowing the full extent of the consequences and end up pregnant and then abort, you're the one to blame. You were the irresponsible one.

I know accidents happen. But you knew that was a possibility, didn't you? I know some people can't afford contraception. Then why have sex if you aren't ready? When it comes to rape and incest victims, it was never wanted; it was a side-effect of the trauma. But there was no force here. Just carelessness, and now an innocent life was lost, just because you didn't want to deal with the consequences.

I know I sound pretty crude. But honestly, even those reasons, my own scenarios which "dictate" when abortion is and isn't allowed, aren't fool-proof. Even though accidents happen, abortions are needed because if a woman doesn't abort, the child will end up in a dumpster. Or on the street, homeless. Or worse. It honestly depends case-by-case, and I certainly am not qualified to dictate each one. Again, I'm just stating my opinions here.

Which is why at the end of the day, I stand with Planned Parenthood. The option of abortion will always be needed, especially in this day and age, no matter what anybody says. (Not to mention all of the other services that Planned Parenthood also offers, like birth control, STD testing and women's health services, to name a few!)

And that is why at the end of the day, all we can do is fight for what's right, each day at a time.