We have all been put on the spot at one time or another and many times find ourselves speechless. While there are no absolute answers to questions raised by differences in point of view, it does help to have some information to express your views. Here we offer some tips for responding in ways that educate instead of alienate.
- Comprehensive sexuality education does NOT increase sexual activity among teens. It DOES is increase safer sex practices among teens that are already sexually active.
- Most young people begin having sex in their mid-to-late teens, about eight years before they marry. 69% of Americans agree that teaching abstinence-only-until-marriage is JUST NOT REALISTIC!
- Sex can result in unplanned pregnancies or infection-inside or outside of marriage. Protecting against these negative outcomes is exactly why we MUST offer our young people comprehensive, accurate and TRUTHFUL information.
- Research clearly shows that in families where sexuality is openly discussed, teens tend to delay sexual activity and make healthy sexual choices.
On the topic of abortion:
- Survey after survey indicates that most Americans support women’s access to safe, legal abortions.
- The only way to prevent abortion is to prevent unintended pregnancy, which is exactly what Planned Parenthood does best by providing birth control options to its clients. Indeed, Planned Parenthood does more to avert the need for abortion by providing accessible, affordable contraception and comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality education, than any other organization.
In support of emergency contraception:
- Emergency contraception pills prevent pregnancy. They do not cause abortion. They are available at all Planned Parenthood health centers for women of all ages.
- Emergency contraception is a back-up birth control method that can dramatically reduce rates of unintended pregnancy and abortion if it were widely available in the U.S. As many as $1.7 million unintended pregnancies could be avoided, and the number of abortions each year could be cut by as much as 800,000.
- Emergency contraception should be routinely available to sexual assault victims in emergency rooms and hospitals.
Additional responses to use:
- Sexuality is a natural part of being human.
- When and whether to have children is a personal decision best made by families and their doctors, not politicians.
- A solid majority of Americans support a women’s right to choose.
- Four of every five adults support sexuality education in our schools.
- A world of planned children would make a world of difference.
When confronted with hard questions, remember what Planned Parenthood stands for. Rather than rising to the bait, share your knowledge of what we do. Remember what you know about Planned Parenthood’s beliefs, values and services.
