Standing up for the right to choose
The Planned Parenthood debate prompted me to write a letter to stand up for a woman's right to choose. I am pro-choice, and I have two children whom I love very much. I'm not out to change anyone's mind --no one is going to change mine -- but I would like to provide some insight into what I'm observing.
People are upset that Planned Parenthood "lied" when getting permits to build. People also get upset when pregnancy crisis centers are thinly- veiled anti-choice clinics.
Another letter to the editor stated that a high percentage of pro-lifers support birth control. According to the literature placed in my mailbox, birth control is another method of abortion.
People think Planned Parenthood is an "abortion mill" with pure financial goals. Planned Parenthood provides women's health care in all areas, from reproductive health care to pregnancy care and assistance. Planned Parenthood does not simply coerce women so it can make a buck -- they provide all options, including keeping the baby, adoption and abortion, as well as ways to not get pregnant, with abstinence listed first (no kidding!).
I agree with a woman's right to choose, whether I agree with her decision or not.
We know that sex education programs, including both abstinence and safer sex practices, are most effective. Education is the missing key here -- if we don't provide kids with true facts about sex and pregnancy, they are going to get information from irresponsible sources.
Want teens to stop having sex? Show them pictures of sexually transmitted diseases emphasizing the ones that you cannot cure (herpes, warts, HIV). Want kids to get a realistic picture of having a baby? Provide schools with Baby-Think-It-Over dolls that truly mimic infants.
Love your child enough so that she or he will love themselves enough to make choices that keep them safe and healthy.
Arwen Lynch
Naperville