Teen pregnancy is a problem in the United States. The culture has become hypersexual in nature, with no due regard to the damage that it creates. Children who are bombarded by adult themed music, billboards, commercials, and magazine covers become desensitized to sex. The culture has started to slip when commercials have a sexual theme to them.
To lower the risk of teen pregnancy, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a program that focuses on not just reducing youth pregnancy but using abstinence as a form of birth control. However, Planned Parenthood affiliates are not happy and have filed two lawsuits against the government.
TPPP
Within HHS, there is a division called the Office of Adolescent Health. The OAH has an evidence-based program called the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPPP), which began in 2010. The program focuses on many different methods to prevent teenage pregnancy. One of the techniques taught is abstinence.
Abstaining from sexual relations only has one flaw: self-control. Other than that, it is the most surefire form of birth control. Since the inception of the program, there has been a 41% decline in teen pregnancy. The decrease in numbers is striking when we consider that there were approximately 200,000 teen abortions in 2009.
Other risks go along with teenagers having intercourse. They are often aloof to the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. Studies suggest that testosterone and other hormones drive males to have sex, but they aren’t as emotional about the experience. Girls are feelings-driven by nature and tend to have a different experience.
The Bottom Line
The left claims to be worried about females. However, Planned Parenthood is more concerned about their bottom line. The lawsuits weren’t filed because the abortion industry is upset they can’t help teenagers in a time of distress. They see there are fewer customers, as sick as it is to say. When four out of ten fewer teen girls are pregnant, the chance of another sought abortion is gone, and that means less money for the abortion provider.
Approximately 51% of services rendered at Planned Parenthood are abortions. Moreover, 40% of abortions are performed by the organization, making it the largest abortion provider in the United States.
In May of this year, the Trump Administration created a rule banning federally funded clinics from referring pregnant women to abortion providers. Instead, they must offer an alternative service, such as counseling and adoption. This potentially takes money away from Planned Parenthood.
A Political Move
These two lawsuits aren’t about services for women. They are about getting back at the Trump Administration for causing them to lose funds. Only a morally bankrupt organization like Planned Parenthood would sue to stop a program that has been succeeding in lowering teenage pregnancy rates.
Who knew there was anything the government could do and see a positive result? If saving the lives of unborn innocent children is it, then the right should be ecstatic.
The program that Planned Parenthood is attempting to stop is actually winning. The fact that our culture has come to this is sad, though. Children should have parents at home to teach them about the dangers of sexual relationships during their teen years. However, if parents neglect their duty to teach the same principles at home, at least these kids have a place to turn.
