Wednesday 13 February 2013

Something to Say: Regardless

Regardless
The topic of this month's Concerned Bloggers Association unofficial public service announcements is family planning. There is a lot that can be said about this topic, encompassing, as it does, not only the idea of getting advice on planning for families, but also contraception, emergency contraception, abortion, sexual rights, expectations, and prejudices, and disease prevention. But what comes to the forefront of my mind is the scare that took hold of the internet a few months ago surrounding family planning in the USA and the idea that clinics might be closed down. 

This is how I see it. 

Regardless of whether there are family planning clinics, whether there is access to contraception or not, whether abortions are legal or not, whether HIV is rampant or a myth, people are going to have sex. 
Women are going to get pregnant.
There are going to be unwanted pregnancies. 
Those unwanted pregnancies are going to go one of three ways - happily, horribly, or terminated. 
Women are going to have abortions. 

What it comes down to, really, is whether we would rather provide a safe environment for people to get information, help, contraception, and, if needs be, pregnancy termination, or we think it's acceptable for the alternatives, which, in many cases, don't even bear thinking about, to take place. Whatever your personal opinions about abortion and sexual rights, we have to accept that they are just that - our personal opinions - and by banning these things, or making them taboo and dirty, we are simply making it difficult for people in potentially horrendous situations to get the help they need. 

I don't think anybody particularly enjoys the ideas of abortions. I think it would be fair to assume that anybody even considering one is in pretty dire straits. Do they really need more hassle? Do you think they really need to be judged?

The best we can do is create that safe environment to seek information and make a decision based on a realistic picture of their situation in the face of all of the options. We need to educate ourselves and our children so that they can make decisions in the first place, but also know where to look when they need to be re-versed in those options.

They are going to do it anyway. 

LINKS:
 (UK-centric, but all provide useful information for wherever in the world you live)
Family Planning Association - help and advice / find a clinic near you

Some of these pages look daunting, and yes, in some instances, they refer you to a doctor. But a doctor is not there to judge you, and if your doctor does, keep your cool, return to the reception desk, and request to see another doctor. Once you are in a better position mentally and physically, complain about that doctor, because it's just not acceptable. It's easy to say, but, be brave. 

Make the right decision for you - because, ultimately, that will probably be the right decision for your potential children, too.

This public service announcement was brought to you by The Concerned Bloggers Association. For more information, please contact Marleen Vaughan.

1 comment:

  1. Excellent Post Kitt. I love it that you titled it "Regardless". You're exactly right.

    ReplyDelete

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