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February 9, 2012

Op-Ed: Komen decision set precedent

By AMY GESENHUES CNHI columnist

My mom is a breast cancer survivor.

I have walked many a mile in support of breast cancer research. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure initiatives are not lost on me.

In recent days, the organization announced it would restructure its guidelines for grant recipients. This decision would impact the number of dollars funded to Planned Parenthood.

Immediate and harsh reactions resulted in a follow-up release two days later from Susan G. Komen's board of directors and CEO Nancy Brinker.

The tone of the second release was much different than the first. Within two days, their dismay and disappointment over their decision had turned quickly into an apology.

The second Susan G. Komen statement denied the decision was political, but it is apparent they had failed to consider the politics of the majority of their supporters.

Planned Parenthood offers various women's (and men's) health services to individuals who cannot afford traditional health visits with private medical professionals.

Yes, some Planned Parenthood services conflict with pro-life organizations, but all their services are pro-women.

Personally, as a woman, (and a pro-choice advocate), I support Planned Parenthood. The education and resources they provide to economically challenged individuals go beyond my politics.

I started taking birth control as a teenager.

As questionable as my choice may have been, I believe it was one of the more responsible decisions I made at a time when I made extremely poor decisions.

I knew Planned Parenthood was available to me. But I was lucky enough to have a mother willing to discuss birth control options — even if she vehemently disagreed with choices that necessitated such measures. My mother scheduled an appointment for me with our family physician. She remained strident in her admonitions.

I imagine many sexually active teenage girls today choose not to discuss birth control options with their mothers.

We are fortunate to have an organization like Planned Parenthood readily available to give young females educational resources and provide answers to questions they don't know how to ask.

In a world that continues to sexualize females at alarmingly younger ages, such a resource is not a luxury. It's a necessity.

Our daughters are surrounded with media images of preteens in high-heels and belly-baring tank-tops. Disney kid shows are filled with slight, but sexual, references.

These media influences have the support of billion-dollar corporate industries.

All Planned Parenthood has is the support of funding organizations like Susan G. Komen.

The amount of money spent daily on ways to influence young females is astronomical.

The amount given to support their health needs is ... heartbreaking.

The money that Susan G. Komen funded to Planned Parenthood was given specifically in accordance with their goal of, —¦supporting women and families in the fight against breast cancer." When organizations like Susan G. Komen began pulling money from Planned Parenthood, they set a precedent.

When other funding resources follow suit, the people affected are the very people Susan G. Komen set out to empower: vulnerable women.

Amy Gesenhues is a columnist for the News and Tribune in Jeffersonville, Ind. Contact her at amy@amywroteit.com.

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