1. What is your opinion about the practice of family planning? Are you for it or against it?
For me, family planning is the most effective way of preventing unwanted and unintended pregnancy. In fact, I am actually an advocate of it, which is influenced by the number of teenage pregnancies which are still prevalent in our country. As stated from an article (De Vera-Ruiz, 2021), a probability of 160,000 adolescent minors may become the heads of the family at the end of 2021. We do not know if these numbers were met. Nevertheless, this number is still alarming since a hundred thousand of families will be leaded by younger generations that are often discriminated based on their age, education, and socioeconomic status. Often, the problem with those who experience unintended and unwanted pregnancies are those who are not familiar with the different types of family planning methods nor incorrectly applies the particular family planning method/s. Family planning is also sometimes negatively connotated by some due to different misconceptions surrounding it.
Contrary to what is previously said, family planning is a good practice that can prevent pregnancies and transmission of various STDs, depending on the type of method chosen. All of the family method practices are proven to be safe and effective, if it is correctly implemented. A couple may also opt for the best effective family planning method, as long as the client assessment will allow them to use the particular type of contraceptive method. They can either use contraceptive devices or even choose natural family planning methods which requires knowledge on the timing of when and when not to have unprotected sex. Either way, all of the methods can help promote the sexual relationship of the couple as it takes away the fear of unwanted pregnancies. It is also not a type of abortion, as many would think, since abortion aims to end a pregnancy while the family planning aims to prevent pregnancy. Many may also think that family planning is expensive which, in contrary, is affordably priced and may be bought at different drugstores. Some methods may also be availed as a package under PhilHealth’s benefits, such as bilateral tubal ligation, vasectomy, etc.
2. Are you in favor of the Reproductive Health Law and its provisions? Elaborate your answer.
I am fully in favor of the Reproductive Health law and its provisions. With roughly 4,500 women dying from pregnancy complications, 800,000 unintended births, and 475,000 illegal abortions per year, Reproductive Health Law will finally allow the usage of modern contraceptive methods which will allow the women to gain control of their fertility, health, and lives. With the prevailing patriarchal system in the country, some of our women experiences sexual harassment and abuses from their husband. Some also experiences discrimination from the society, which may cause embarrassment that would prevent them in consulting the respective health care providers. Thus, this law would help the women empower their rights against the aforementioned issues.
Moreover, Reproductive Health law also allows the flexibility of the health care providers to provide the care they need, without the worry of being punished by the law. Recalling the provisions that Supreme Court struck down, this includes health care providers who will not publicly spread information on the offered RH programs and services, who will not refer the patients to another provider, who will require parental consent from the minor, and those who will not support the RH program. With this, health care providers would gain more control in providing the health care to the client, as long as it would not violate their personal conscience and beliefs.
The said law also allows the promotion of the parental rights. If there are minors that would avail a family planning method due to their pregnancy and miscarriages, they would need their parental consent before they are able to do so. Through this perspective, both the minors and its parents would be able to discuss a more informed choice. Minors also have the limited capacity to grasp the concepts of different family methods, which may lead them in not being able to fully understand its pros and cons, usage, side effects, and contraindications. Thus, with parental guidance, it prevents the minor in prematurely deciding for the availing of a family planning method.
References:
Center for Reproductive Rights. (2014, April 8). Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Historic Reproductive Health Law. https://reproductiverights.org/philippine-supreme-court-upholds-historic-reproductive-health-law/
Department of Health. (n.d.). Dealing with Myths & Misconceptions in Family Planning. https://doh.gov.ph/book/export/html/1047
De Vera-Ruiz, E. (2021, August 13). POPCOM: 160,000 Adolescent Minors Projected to Become or Continue as Heads of Families by End of 2021. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2021/08/13/popcom-160000-adolescent-minors-projected-to-become-or-continue-as-heads-of-families-by-end-of-2021/
Philippine Commission on Women. (2012, December 21). Republic Act 10354: The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012. https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-10354/
World Youth Alliance. (n.d.). Philippine Supreme Court Upholds RH Law but Strikes Down Conscience-Violating Provisions. https://www.wya.net/press-release/philippine-supreme-court-upholds-rh-law-but-strikes-down-conscience-violating-provisions