Planned Parenthood is the American affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation. This institution offers assistance to couples, singles, children and teens, not only for sexual issues but also for many other reproductive health care problems. Planned Parenthood supports sexual education, pro-choice policies and insists on more government coverage in health programs. Given the fact that Planned Parenthood offers surgical abortions on request, the organization is often subject to very heated debates.

Margret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood, in New York, in 1916, as the first American birth control center. Gradually, the organization became actively involved in supporting women’s sexual rights and choices. At present, Planned Parenthood has over 850 offices all over the US, providing a wide number of services and facilities such as:

-abortion;
-pregnancy counseling;
-birth control services;
-emergency contraception;
-screening tests for breast, ovary and testicular cancer;
-pregnancy medical tests;
-treatment for STD;
-hormonal treatments for menopause and andropause;
-sexual education and more.

Most of the funds used by Planned Parenthood come from the government in the form of contracts and grants, but there is very intense sponsorship from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which increases the annual budget considerably. Nevertheless, there are many non-profit for-life organizations that lobby the government to stop funding Planned Parenthood. The right to abortion that the Planned Parenthood supports is considered very controversial and there is a number of laws that the organization fights against.

Planned Parenthood is for total sexual freedom and the possibility to make choices, and therefore opposes all forms of restrictions. Whether it be right or wrong, that is for everyone to tell for his/her part. Yet, the open access to sexual education and birth control methods, decreases the number of unplanned pregnancies. If Planned Parenthood succeeds in reducing the number of abortions and inherent emotional problems that derive from such interventions, it means that the birth control efficiency of their methods deserves public recognition.

Moreover, Parenthood Planned presently provides support for the testing of new contraceptives, but lots of reasons still make the organization controversial. Lots of them have been brought to the attention of the public, yet, many others remained undisclosed. The White House’s policy towards abortion may influence future policies and funds allocation to one side or another. We’ll see to which…