As a result of population growth, interest in family planning as a solution to this problem has increased. However, several issues have arisen because family planning is not limited to contraception alone, but also includes access to contraceptives, safe and legal abortion, and safe childbirth. This exposes individuals to problems related to their autonomy in decision-making and access to these resources. Regarding the various family planning services and methods, the most significant ethical dilemmas have been related to abortion, while those related to contraception have been the least significant, as there is a consensus that there are no ethical problems with their use. In fact, their use helps couples and individuals realize their fundamental right to make free and responsible decisions about having children, when to have them, and how many children they can have. The increased use of contraception has contributed to improved health outcomes, such as a decrease in maternal and infant mortality, and has positively impacted education and the economy in societies that encourage couples to practice family planning.
Benefits of contraception (family planning)
- Family planning programs help families spend less money and build up more savings over time.
- This makes teaching children easier, as better-educated children can look after their parents later in life.
- It reduces maternal and child illnesses, allowing funds that could have been used for their treatment to be used for constructive purposes.
- Women are less likely to die from complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and are also less likely to experience miscarriage and premature birth.
- They have greater opportunities to receive a good education and advance in their careers.
- She will have more time to care for the child and to prepare physically, emotionally, and financially for her next pregnancy.
- She now has more time for herself and her family, and can participate in various educational, economic, and social activities.
- Increased likelihood of healthy births and the possibility of extending the breastfeeding period, which will positively affect their overall health, in addition to them receiving more attention and care from their parents.
Reasons for not using contraception
The dilemma lies in how to deal with social norms that directly influence family planning. The following is a summary of the most important social aspects affecting family planning:
Making decisions about pregnancy
In many relationships, men dominate the decision-making process regarding family planning and contraception. Family and community members may also play significant roles. Decision-makers may not discuss the matter with those involved. Some of the main reasons for not using contraception include:
- The partner objects
- Male dominance in decision-making
- Misinformation about birth control
In many relationships, the decision-making process may not involve the girls and women themselves, and sometimes the partners’ families and other members of the community play a role. Furthermore, girls may make decisions without discussing the matter for various reasons, such as lack of experience or discomfort in talking about it. In sensitive cases, the primary reason for not using contraception is the husband’s opposition. Studies in some countries have even confirmed that using contraception secretly or against the husband’s wishes can lead to domestic violence against the woman or separation from her.
Evidence regarding the relationship between early marriage, family planning, and contraceptive use is mixed. Some researchers believe that the prevalence of early marriage is closely linked to low contraceptive use, high rates of unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions. In many countries, communities and families expect women to conceive and give birth soon after marriage, and in these cases, traditional and religious customs, financial pressures, and gender inequality are often direct factors in early marriage.
Sometimes, traditional views rejecting the use of modern contraceptives are deeply ingrained and can take a long time to change. Negative stereotypes and the social stigma surrounding contraception and sex limit its use, especially among young men and women. Therefore, it is essential to intervene early, during the formative years of adolescent identity and personality development, and to foster their understanding of social norms related to sex.
How can the community be helped in the area of family planning and contraception?
Of the 1.9 billion women of reproductive age worldwide, 1.1 billion need family planning; they are either current users of contraception or have an unmet need for it. Of these women, 842 million use modern contraceptive methods, while 80 million use traditional methods (5). In addition, many individuals and couples around the world wish to limit the number of births but do not use contraception for various reasons, including those mentioned above.
Government intervention is necessary so that politicians and development program managers can take the next key steps to ensure that contraceptive services are available and accessible to all who want them.
1. Eliminate policies that restrict freedom of choice:
Policies that restrict the use of contraception include: criminalizing certain methods (such as voluntary sterilization), restricting advertisements related to contraception, limiting the distribution of contraceptives to doctors only, and preventing women from obtaining contraception without their husbands’ permission.
2. Providing financial support for family planning services:
Family planning is a cost-effective investment that ultimately saves lives in addition to the resulting financial savings.
3. Use appropriate information, education, and communication strategies to inform people about family planning:
Programs can help ensure that couples have enough information to make an informed decision about their contraceptive options by providing face-to-face counseling with appropriate printed materials and the use of media.
4. Supporting research and evaluation of family planning methods and programs:
Research in contraceptive technologies contributes to the development of new methods, the improvement of existing ones, and increased understanding of the safety of family planning methods. Furthermore, studying how family planning programs work helps determine the best ways to deliver different contraceptive methods in diverse cultures.
By giving women control over the number and spacing of their births, family planning helps maintain their health and fertility, and improves their overall quality of life. It also contributes to better children’s health and ensures they have access to adequate food, clothing, housing, and educational opportunities. Family planning achieves these improvements in health and quality of life at a very low cost compared to investments in most other health and social interventions.
Allocating human and financial resources to improve family planning services will not only improve family health and well-being, but will also support efforts to achieve sustainable population density.
0 Comments