http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/01/the-reads-you-need-komen-drops-planned-parenthood-funding/
Early this week, the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research announced that they would be dropping their funding to Planned Parenthood. Although much of the hype surrounding this issue has been about how the loss in funding will impact women's health care (specifically breast exams) for low-income females, this issue can also be very closely related to teen pregnancy in the U.S. We know from class and social observation that although the U.S. is a developed nation, many young people do not have access to education about sex and pregnancy through their schooling and are uncomfortable discussing it with their parents. Thus, many young women turn to services like Planned Parenthood, but often only after they've already become pregnant. Additionally, we know that statistically, young women who come from lower socioeconomic statuses are both more likely to get pregnant and more likely to need free/reduced healthcare services, such as those at Planned Parenthood. There are several examples of this on the MTV show 16 & Pregnant, including Farrah's episode where she admits to going to Planned Parenthood to seek help after becoming pregnant with Sophia. However, the cut in funding may inhibit Planned Parenthood's ability to continue to provide these services to young women, much less continue to grow their outreach and education programs (such as teaching about condom use).
Do you agree with the cut in funding due to religious/spiritual/political beliefs? Does it matter? Do you think it will have a positive or negative effect on teen pregnancy rates in the U.S.?
I am surprised that some funding for Planned Parenthood is being cut. Planned Parenthood is definitely the most well known family planning program around the country. And funding is a huge part of the non-for-profit organization. Different cities receive different amounts of funding based on need and other government limitations. At some Missouri locations, birth control can be anywhere from $6 to $45. Cutting funding would increase the amount Planned Parenthood has to charge for these products, which would make them less readily available for those who need them, which are typically those who cannot really afford such programs.
ReplyDeleteTeen pregnancy rates could increase with the decrease of available contraceptives and education programs. However, in class we learned that those adolescent women who are getting pregnant used such contraceptives at first and stopped. So, I do not know how drastic the increase would. Unfortunately, it will just make it harder for Planned Parenthood to do the job that our society so readily takes for granted.