The American affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation is usually known by the shorter title of Planned Parenthood. It provides assistance to singles, teens, couples and children, for sexual education, and various health care problems related to reproduction. It militates for pro-choice policies, sexual education and more comprehensive health programs provided by the government. Given the fact that Planned Parenthood offers surgical abortions on request, the organization is often subject to very heated debates.
Margret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood, in New York, in 1916, as the first American birth control center. In time the number of services provided increased, and the focus rapidly switched to women’s right in terms of sexual freedom and choices. There are over 850 affiliates of Planned Parenthood working around the United States, and the clinics usually provide services such as:
-abortion;
-pregnancy counseling;
-birth control solutions;
-emergency contraception;
-screening tests for breast, ovary and testicular cancer;
-pregnancy consultations;
-treatment for sexually transmitted diseases;
-hormonal treatments for andropause and menopause;
-sexual education and more.
Most of the funds used by Planned Parenthood come from the government in the form of contracts and grants, but there is very intense sponsorship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which increases the annual budget considerably. Nevertheless, there are many non-profit for-life organizations that lobby the government to stop funding Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood not only supports abortion but also fights against a number of controversial laws.
The organization opposes all forms of restrictions in its support for complete sexual freedom of choices. Each of us has the right to be in favor or against such attitudes, depending on what matters to us. Yet, the open access to sexual education and birth control methods, decreases the number of unplanned pregnancies. If Planned Parenthood manages to reduce the number of abortions and inherent emotional problems that derive from such interventions, it means that their efforts in favor of efficient birth control are worthy of appreciation.
Moreover, Planned Parenthood presently provides support for the testing of new contraceptives, but lots of reasons still make the organization controversial. Lots of them have been brought to the attention of the public, yet, many others remained undisclosed. The White House’s policy towards abortion may influence future policies and funds allocation to one side or another. We’ll see to which…