Cook 1
Dina Cook
Jennifer Courtney
English 2010
September 26, 2008
Critical Reflection on Public Policy
The organization I have been working with is Planned Parenthood. There are too many stereotypes to even begin a list but I will draw your attention to the one that is most commonly talked about, abortion. When thinking of Planned Parenthood it is almost impossible to not associate it with abortion. Planned Parenthood has been fighting misconceptions and stereotypes since they opened their doors. Planned Parenthood is frequently pegged with the notion that they kill babies. Well, if it were that simple, Planned Parenthood would not exist. Planned Parenthood takes the stance that they are Pro-Choice. They do encourage full term pregnancies and also educate about adoption as well as providing resources for the future. Educating and aiding those who choose abortion is the cause of much of the sterotyping by the public. In the State of Utah, Planned Parenthood does not perform the abortion but they do provide counseling and pre-natal care. The stereotype that they "kill babies" may have to do with our individual idea of what an abortion is. Our moral, ethical and religious constructs have a huge part in the way we view abortion and whether we support it or not.
Abortion was made legal in 1973, allowing a woman the right to choose. The State of Utah has strict laws surrounding abortion allowing woman to have the procedure up to 20 weeks into pregnancy and must undergo counseling at least 24 hours prior to procedure but no more than 60 days prior. Doctors must only perform one of 3 approved procedures. In the State of Utah woman must be the age of 18 or older to undergo an abortion with out parent or guardian consent. In other states such as California and Nevada minors may go through with an abortion without consent. Utah has had many battles with legislators to ban abortions and no other state has fought it so hard. In 2004, Gov. Olene Walker signed a bill that was passed that makes it a misdemeanor crime for doctors, clinics or hospitals that receive any state funding — "directly or indirectly" — to perform abortions. This could lead people to believe that abortions are "wrong" because our government leaders pass bills to prevent them. Why are people going to such great lengths to stop them?
In April of 2007, The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced to the Supreme Courts. The FOCA would "safeguard every woman’s basic civil right to make her own health care decisions in consultantation with her doctor" (Planned). If passed FOCA would overturn state laws protecting the rights of woman. Planned Parenthood has sued many times for various reasons regarding abortion freedom in Utah and the rest of the United States and has no plans on stopping until this issue is resolved. Public Policies regarding abortion have changed drastically over time. At one time prior to 1973, any abortion was illegal under any circumstances in the USA. Olene Walker, knowing that she could not stop a woman from having abortions, pulled state funding from facilities to make it harder to obtain one. I understand that the conservative pull here in Utah has a great deal to do with why these bills get passed in the first place, but does that make it right? Apparently not. Since Roe vs. Wade, the landmark court case regarding abortion, the Supreme Court ruled that woman may choose abortion until the point at which the fetus becomes viable. This ruling prohibits states from passing laws that deny a woman the Constitutional right to an abortion under those guidelines. This is why it is so important to pass the FOCA, to prevent leaders like Olene Walker from hindering the rights of woman. As of December 2007 Utah was ranked 6th in the nation for teen pregnancy (National). The pregnancy rate was 53 out of every 1,000 girls. Utah is one of the few states that does not teach comprehensive sexual education in schools. Teachers are only allowed to teach abstinence. This does not prepare our children for decisions that might be made in the future. Children need to be informed not only to lower the teen pregnancy rate, but to protect and teach healthy lifestyles.
Prior to becoming involved with Planned Parenthood, I was not educated about what was offered at their clinics and what they stood for. After learning about what they have to offer, I found that I was one of the people who carried an incorrect stereotype and was judgmental just hearing the words "Planned Parenthood." Knowing what I know now, my opinions have changed and for me Planned Parenthood does not hold the negative stigma I once felt. This is because I took the time to research material, facts and even talk to community leaders of my local Planned Parenthood. I feel that I was listening to what I was told about Planned Parenthoods roll in the community and forming opinions on something I did not fully understand. My thoughts about abortion remain the same but I no longer hear the name Planned Parenthood and have a negative feeling. I personally believe that the freedom to choice is our right; however I do agree with finding alternatives and only using abortion as a last resort.
Works Cited
National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. December 2007. 01 October 2008 <http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/national-data/pdf/STBYST07.pdf>
Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 05 May 2008. 01 October 2008 <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/issues-action /abortion/freedom-of-choice-a>
