A Critical Examination of the Relevance of Family Planning in Church and Society

Abstract

Family planning is the consideration of the number of children a person wishes to have, including the choice to have no children and the age at which they wish to have them. Some of the factors that may influence family planning significantly include marital situation, career or work considerations, financial situations and so on. Where there is sexual activity, family planning may involve the use of contraception (birth control) and several other techniques to control the timing of reproduction. Other aspects of family planning also of vital importance, apart from contraception include sex education, prevention and management of sexually transmitted infections, pre-conception counselling and management and infertility management. In consonant with the definition adduced by United Nations and the World Health Organization, family planning invariably encompasses services leading up to conception. Abortion is not typically recommended as a primary method of family planning. Contemporary notions of family planning tend to place a woman and her childbearing decisions at the center of the discussion. It is usually applied to a female-male couple who wish to limit the number of children they have or control pregnancy. Family planning has the advantage of reducing teenage birth rates and birth rates for unmarried women. In 2006, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a recommendation, encouraging men and women to formulate a reproductive life plan, to help them in avoiding unintended pregnancies and to improve the health of women and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. There are several benefits of family planning including spacing births for healthier pregnancies, thus decreasing risks of maternal morbidity. For many, the purpose of family planning is to ensure that any couple, man or woman who has a child has the resources that are needed in order to complete this goal. With these resources, a couple can explore the option of natural birth, surrogacy, artificial insemination or adoption. On the other hand, if the person does not wish to have a child at a specific time, they can utilize the methods that are needed to prevent pregnancy, such as birth control, contraceptives or physical protection and prevention. There are several reasons why woman do not use contraceptives. These reasons include religious reasons, limited access to transportation in order to access health clinics, lack of education and knowledge and opposition by partners, families or communities. Definitely, poorer women and those in rural areas often have less access to family planning services. This can lead to higher rate of unintended pregnancies, increased risk of HIV and other STI’s, limited choice of contraceptive methods and several other problems. Family planning has reduced the burden of childbearing on women. As a result of having to raise fewer children than before, women are no longer so economically dependent on their partners.