Planned Parenthood should not be defunded

While browsing the Internet last Thursday I stumbled across a page about Planned Parenthood. Apparently the House of Representatives voted 240-185 to pass an amendment by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) to cut its federal funding. What does this mean for Planned Parenthood?

It means that Planned Parenthood will no longer receive federal money to offer services. This includes basic primary preventative health care to women and families. “The outcome of this vote is not a surprise, but it is radically out of step with mainstream American values and it is out of line with the issues voters want Congress to focus on,” says Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Planned Parenthood has provided for women and families for 95 years and has changed the lives of millions of parents to-be. Nearly 1.2 million youths and adults participate in Planned Parenthood educational programs every year.   Around 83 percent of their clients receive services to prevent unintended pregnancy. Nearly 830,000 breast exams are performed each year, and 4 million tests and treatments for sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).

If Planned Parenthood helps so much, then why is their federal funding being cut off?

The politicians’ idea is that removing funding from Planned Parenthood will reduce the number of abortions performed. Planned Parenthood counters that only 3 percent of its services are for abortions.

If its funding is cut, what about other abortion services not affiliated with Planned Parenthood? What about pharmacies that distribute morning-after pills? What about hospitals and private clinics not affiliated with Planned Parenthood that offer abortions to women?

I would never pressure my significant other to get an abortion. I firmly believe that I should accept responsibility rather than suggest the death of my unborn child.

However, I can’t own someone else’s mistakes. I can suggest different scenarios for them, including abortion, and I can inform them of all of their possibilities along with what I would do in their situation, but the decision is not mine to make for someone else.

The rate of abortions should be decreased, but cutting funding from an organization that has helped millions  isn’t the right move. A better alternative is increasing education.

There are plenty of teenagers who have sex but do not know what to do when it comes to protection. Instead of learning to be safe beforehand, many teens learn by mere trial and error.

Likewise, there are plenty of parents who feel awkward about teaching their children about sex and most teenagers learn about it through questionable material and first-hand experience.

How else could they learn? Planned Parenthood teaches sexual education, but with funds being cut they no longer can.

Defunding Planned Parenthood could cease its abortion services. But it will equally decrease vital services that are far more likely to prevent abortions.