There has been a lot of buzz recently about Planned Parenthood.  This is likely due to the publicity drawn by the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s decision to continue funding breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood offices nationwide.

The initial decision was to withdraw funding from the wrongly demonized organization, likely in a political move.  There is so much anger and hate spewed at Planned Parenthood because it offers abortions at its offices.  While this is true, abortions are one of the least used services it offers.  Most of what Planned Parenthood does is birth control and sex education, trying to reduce the number of abortions by educating and protecting the youth from unplanned pregnancies.

Still, many people overlook the fact that Planned Parenthood offers so many services, and focus solely on the fact it is performing abortions and instantly have that strong negative association with the organization.  This prevents people from even having an informed discussion on whether the Komen Foundation should continue giving money to Planned Parenthood or not.

The Komen Foundation folded under pressure from Republican decision makers and almost let that pressure hurt an organization that is trying to help people.  Because it offer one service that some people oppose — mainly on a religious level — people seem to overlook the cancer and STD screenings the organization offers.  People seem to forget that Planned Parenthood also offers birth control and sex education services.  It does more work to prevent unwanted pregnancy it does terminating pregnancies, and that needs to be realized.

This is an argument that will never be won by either side.  It should be an easy decision, but it will always be a battle.  Roe V. Wade legalized abortion, which should have ended the discussion.  Women have the right to attain these services as they see fit.  Is it right?  While you may oppose, you are not in their situation.  For some people, this is their only choice.

The right to picket and protest abortion is as solid as the right these women have to make their own decision.  What should really be focused on is increasing the quality and quantity of sex education in our schools.  If children are aware of the consequences of their sexual behavior, this could lead to decreased numbers in abortions, unplanned pregnancies and STD’s.  Before we scrutinize Planned Parenthood for what the media depicts it as, we should look at all the good it does.