(no subject)
Let me start by warning you - I'm going to talk about abortion. If you know this topic causes all of your brain cells to shut down and uninformed sound bites to issue helplessly from your mouth, (and this happens to folks on both sides of the issue) I'd suggest you not read what I'm about to write. There - now that nobody is reading...
I hate, hate, hate, discussing this topic. It instantly polarizes people, and nobody's going to be 'convinced' by a screaming match. That said, I had to say something because it relates to a news story that I recently read. Groups are pulling out of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure because the Foundation gives grants to Planned Parenthood so that they can provide free/low-cost mammograms. Planned Parenthood, yes, also provides/refers abortions - and this is why these groups have decided to not contribute to Race for the Cure. In a country where abortions are (currently) available and legal, an organization that provides a safe, responsible, informed environment for them should be lauded instead of protested.
What else can you find at your local Planned Parenthood? High quality, affordable reproductive health care and sexual health information including: family planning counseling and birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, gynecological care, Pap tests, breast exams, emergency contraception, HIV testing and counseling, medically accurate sexuality education, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, infertility screening and counseling, voluntary sterilization for women and men, reproductive medical exams for men, safer sex counseling, midlife services, abortions or abortion referrals, prenatal care, adoption referrals, primary care, and referrals for specialized care.
I can't speak for everyone, but I know that for myself, pro-choice doesn't mean pro-abortion. Treating abortion as merely another contraceptive is irresponsible and reprehensible. It is not a descision to be taken lightly. I also really don't think the majority of women who must make this decision do. I don't think anyone should ever have to make this decision. I strongly think that to reduce abortion, we must work harder to prevent unwanted pregnancies through responsible sexual education.
In the end, though, your opinion is your own. We all make choices every day about who/what we support with our time and money. But, one way or the other, be informed -educate yourself. Simply being the loudest doesn't make you right.
I hate, hate, hate, discussing this topic. It instantly polarizes people, and nobody's going to be 'convinced' by a screaming match. That said, I had to say something because it relates to a news story that I recently read. Groups are pulling out of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Race for the Cure because the Foundation gives grants to Planned Parenthood so that they can provide free/low-cost mammograms. Planned Parenthood, yes, also provides/refers abortions - and this is why these groups have decided to not contribute to Race for the Cure. In a country where abortions are (currently) available and legal, an organization that provides a safe, responsible, informed environment for them should be lauded instead of protested.
What else can you find at your local Planned Parenthood? High quality, affordable reproductive health care and sexual health information including: family planning counseling and birth control, pregnancy testing and counseling, gynecological care, Pap tests, breast exams, emergency contraception, HIV testing and counseling, medically accurate sexuality education, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, infertility screening and counseling, voluntary sterilization for women and men, reproductive medical exams for men, safer sex counseling, midlife services, abortions or abortion referrals, prenatal care, adoption referrals, primary care, and referrals for specialized care.
I can't speak for everyone, but I know that for myself, pro-choice doesn't mean pro-abortion. Treating abortion as merely another contraceptive is irresponsible and reprehensible. It is not a descision to be taken lightly. I also really don't think the majority of women who must make this decision do. I don't think anyone should ever have to make this decision. I strongly think that to reduce abortion, we must work harder to prevent unwanted pregnancies through responsible sexual education.
In the end, though, your opinion is your own. We all make choices every day about who/what we support with our time and money. But, one way or the other, be informed -educate yourself. Simply being the loudest doesn't make you right.