As an educator, the month of September holds a lot of symbolism for me. It represents a fresh beginning, boundless opportunities, and a renewed zest for arming students with the fundamental skills they will need throughout the course of their lives. In addition to the traditional three Rs—reading, writing and arithmetic—that students learn in school, another set of fundamental values is being rapidly embraced by our community. Also termed the three Rs, this new set of values stands for Rights, Respect, and Responsibility. In a time when the goal of preventing and reducing teen pregnancies and STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) is so important, the new 3 Rs become even more relevant and necessary than ever.
Rights
We believe that youth have the right to accurate information and access to health services.
Respect
We respect youth as valued members of the community, with much to offer.
Responsibility
We trust youth and adults to make responsible decisions when they are provided information, taught skills, and given support to do so.
Teen pregnancies and STIs, like other health issues that plague our communities (such as hypertension and diabetes), are PREVENTABLE. When we arm youth with accurate medical information about contraception and STIs, teach them the skills necessary to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, plus provide them with access to health care services, we inevitably empower them to make responsible decisions about their health.
This is why I am such a huge supporter of Planned Parenthood. At the cornerstone of both their education and medical services is prevention. In fact, over 90% of the medical services they provide are preventative care. Patients can be seen at their medical centers for annual PAP, breast, and testicular cancer exams. Patients can also receive assistance from professional medical staff in determining which birth control methods best fit their lifestyle. They can visit their medical centers for HPV and Hepatitis B vaccinations as well as for STI testing and treatment.
As an essential component of their educational programs, Planned Parenthood’s Education & Training Department offers education for schools and community groups on topics like birth control, anatomy and physiology, and healthy relationships. They offer courses for parents which help them to begin discussing sexuality with their children in the context of their family’s values. They also offer a variety of resource materials for students, teachers, and healthcare professionals.
There’s an African proverb that many of us are familiar with: It takes a village to raise a child. Planned Parenthood plays an important role in our village by providing medical and educational services to everyone who needs them, all while promoting the concept of rights, respect, and responsibility. I can’t imagine a world without them.
