I am increasingly sick of hearing and reading about women who are having baby after baby, or are contracting sexually transmitted disease after disease because they cannot afford proper birth control or sexual protection. When I was a senior in high school, I wasn’t even 18 years old, and I was able to find FREE birth control methods. Where, you may ask? Planned Parenthood. These services are available for little to no cost to women of all ages, all races, all socio-economic statuses. All a woman has to do is GO. When I was 17, I was in a sexual relationship for the first time in my life. Even though I knew it was against my parents’ will, I did it anyway. But I did remember the most important thing my parents tried to teach me. It’s not that sex is bad, but it can be dangerous. Dangerous in the sense that I could become a teenage mother, or worse, that I could contract any number of diseases, including HIV. So, did I just go ahead and have unprotected sex because I couldn’t afford to go buy condoms? Did I allow my boyfriend to penetrate me knowing that lack of protection could lead to babies or sickness? No! I did what any rational female should do. I took myself to the local planned parenthood, where I received FREE, CONFIDENTIAL services. I was able to get condoms, oral contraceptives, loads of information, and support from medical professionals. But, the best part was that I was not allowed to receive anything until I submitted to a physical examination. So, women out there who blame their unplanned pregnancies or their unwanted sexually transmitted diseases on lack of funds to attain proper protection, I say WAKE UP! There are ways to get help so that you can enjoy a HEALTHY sex life. There are ways to be a normal sexual being and still protect yourself. And if you really can’t afford a condom, you just may be able to get one for FREE! For more information, please visit: http://www.plannedparenthood.org
Last, but not least, I leave you with this: If you still think you cannot get yourself to your local planned parenthood for free sexual assistance, then please do us all a favor and just don’t have sex!
What about the women who can’t get to Planned Parenthood? What about the women who are in abusive relationships, where their partner won’t allow them access to things of this nature? Women who work two or three jobs and simply can’t get there?
I agree with the concept that we must take responsibility for ourselves and our bodies – I’m just asking you to think about the situations that others might find themselves in…
Keep up the good work!