I have stayed out of this debate. And for a very good reason. I haven't support Girl Scouts of America for a long time. It has nothing to do with Planed Parenthood or anything so recent.
When my oldest was in kindergarten she as a Daisy. It was something fun for her to do. Something that her two little sisters couldn't participate in. Big girl time for her. It went great until she graduated to Brownies.
They were short on leaders. I stepped up and volunteered my time for the benefit of the kids. I loved teaching and having fun with the girls. The problem I had was with the leader training. We couldn't say a prayer. It wasn't allowed. Sunday school songs were against the rules too. Some of the leaders didn't follow these rules but they were there. "oh you can't say a prayer but you can say a blessing" Umm.. Isn't that the same thing? For every concern I had, there was a similar response. I went back to the rule book and looked up the official policy. I was right. Just because some leaders don't follow the policy doesn't mean it isn't there.
Long story short. I had enough and said no more. We don't even buy the cookies anymore. They are expensive. I can get much more bang for my buck at the grocery story.
My objections to Planned Parent hood are something else all together. They offer some needed services. To that, I have no objection. When my niece got pregnant at 15, she went there for counseling. I have heard horror stories about PP just like everyone else. Thankfully she had a good experience. The lady she talked to was great and she didn't feel so lost when she left the clinic that day.
I am all for a place for low cost heath care, access to birth control and STD screening. I am all for women's rights. However, I have another question. What about the rights of the father? When it comes to abortion, it is the law that matters. I know that. Women have to right to get an abortion for any reason at all. But what about the fathers rights? That baby is his too. His rights are completely ignored.
Protect the fathers rights and pay more attention to the health of the young woman getting the procedure. When that happens, I will be more supportive of what Planed Parenthood does. More counseling before and after the procedure. Require the consent of the father, except in cases of rape or incest. Take more precautions during the procedure to ensure her continued health. I would also like to know if their literature is checked for factual information by an independent panel of doctors? Is the information in the pamphlets accurate and ethical? Does it conform to the current legal standard?
I don't think that is too much to ask.
I am a christian lady. I do not take birth control pills and would never have an abortion for any reason. When I was 20, my first husband and his father wanted me to get rid of my fist born daughter. I refused. She has grown up to be a beautiful young lady. I don't regret standing up to them. They were so angry when I refused. That is ok. They never had to be a part of her life. I didn't force her on them and have never asked either one of them for anything. Not ever.
Any flaming comments will be deleted. Any people that feel the need to be hateful will be blocked from my blog. This is my stand. And yes, my personal opinion.
It's one of those touchy subjects isn't it. Ive been reading about this around blogland lately. Everybody has very strong opinions on it and that of course, is fair enough. Everybody should have the choice to be able to have their opinion heard. There are acceptable ways to voice opinions and unacceptable ways. My issue with it all is the way in which the protestors who stand outside abortion clinics voice 'their' opinions. This to me, is hugely unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteDee x
Dee, you won't find me protesting outside of a PP. I find it as offensive as I do Westboro baptist church posting at funerals. Unfortunately we can't pick and choose who gets to exercise the right of free speech. Nor will our government curb the right to assemble and protest. So is life in the US....
ReplyDeleteYes, a very touchy subject.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad your GS group didn't do prayer!
Our group of scouts almost ALL attend our home church, so we are all comfortable with prayer and do it at all meetings. We are a fun group of girls. I don't think I'd like to be in a group that objected to it.
As far as abortions, I agree completely with the part about the father's and the need for more counseling before and after. I think more info needs to go into it all together for sure.
I too had my first around 20. I was hit from my family to go the abortion route.
I couldn't, I already knew I loved my baby, whoever he/she was going to be.
I'm a proud momma to a 16 year old "baby" and now, in my older years, about to become a mom again to baby number 3 and 4!!
Emi, it wasn't the local standard I objected to. It was the rule book from GSA. That the rules were ignored, did not mean that they weren't there. I chose to bow out gracefully. The newer rule books may be different. Things do change.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear that your two little bundles are doing good. I hope you start feeling better soon.
Good for you for standing up for what you believe. In the state I live in a teenager is automatically emancipated if she becomes pregnant, the teenage father however gets no such consideration, yet they are still responsible to pay support.
ReplyDeleteI support Planned Parenthood for the main reason that they provide a valuable service to many girls that may go without if they did not have that option. I would not choose abortion for myself, but I also don't believe it is up to me to choose for someone else.