Planned Parenthood: a nonprofit organization that does research into and gives advice on contraception, family planning, and reproductive problems.
Above, is the definition of Planned Parenthood, an organization whose local number I have in my contacts. An organization that has greatly helped not only me, but many of my friends throughout high school, and even into college. An organization that has gotten a whole lot of unnecessary backlash recently.
If you haven't been following the news, or you live under a rock, Planned Parenthood has been under attack for many reasons – the most important one being – abortion.
Now, while I respect and understand the opinions of those who are pro-life, what I don't understand is why people who don't share those same views have to suffer.
In times of need, Planned Parenthood has offered me and my friends:
- contraceptives
- STI/STD checks
- Plan B
- Pap smears
- counseling
In the list above, does it state abortion anywhere? No. A fact that seems to get lost in the discussion of defunding Planned Parenthood. But why, as young women, should we care?
For starters, and I'm going to get a bit personal here, so just bear with me, some women simply cannot afford health care.
I am a 20-year-old young woman who comes from a white middle class family. Though I come from a privileged background, my family lives abroad so where does that leave me? It leaves me as a broke 20-year-old woman who does not have health care, and who can't afford health care. Being a mature young adult, means being safe about my sexual health. Since I don't have health care, the only way I can do that is through organizations like Planned Parenthood.
Another reason you should care, think about those who aren't as fortunate as you. Think about the people who don't have comfortable relations with their mothers, those who can't talk to anyone about their reproductive health. Think about the girl who is in an abusive relationship and desperately needs an out. Think about the young man who can't figure out a way to come out to his family. Think about the young girl who was just sexually abused and got pregnant from it.
Planned Parenthood and organizations like such are safe havens for people who have no where else to go – regardless if it's for abortions or not.
It's 2015, almost 2016. Marijuana is starting to become legalized, LBGT communities are more recognized in our society than ever, and yet, here we are discussing women's reproductive rights.
Women, please, let's stand together against this. Regardless of your beliefs, stand up for your best friends, for your sister, for your cousin, your neighbor. Allow those women to have a choice over what they want to do with their bodies - whether it aligns with your views or not. Because guess what, your opinion over what someone does with their body does not matter.
