Brooke's Final Blog

 I've never been one for activism. I've always been the "eh..someone else will do it for me" type when it comes to these things. Even at the beginning of this project I felt this way. I didn't get why I had to do something tedious like post in a silly little blog that no one outside the class would read. Over time I grew on the topic, even more so when I learned how it could seriously affect me, my relatives, and my friends. I grew disgusted with the lack of respect women were receiving from the media and the government. The debate on birth control and religion infuriated me. What happened to the separation of church and state?!


Like I said in my previous blog, I learned so much over the course of this project. At the beginning, I only knew that there were people out there who disagreed with Planned Parenthood's ideas and methods, but after this project I realized that it went so much deeper! I had no idea how much good Planned Parenthood actually does for women, and men! I've learned just how much the government is interfering in women's health and how little women actually get to say about it in the debates.

Even still, I felt uncomfortable actually going out and spreading the word. I had no problem doing the research and posting on the blog. But going out and doing a service learning project was hard for me. I worried about the people on the extreme opposite side and how they would attack me, either verbally or physically. After hearing from the girls in my group who actually got yelled at by people outside Planned Parenthood, I grew even more uncomfortable. I agreed with the fight but could not join it on the front lines. Then the rest of my group decided on spreading the word at a fundraiser for the SSU LAX team. I was still uncomfortable with the whole passing out condoms and pamphlets thing. Fortunately,  life intervened and I ended up not being able to make the fundraiser. I felt bad about missing it because I knew I'd miss out on an important part of the assignment, but I was relieved.

It then made me think. What if I had a student who was uncomfortable with a service learning project? Would I force them to just "get over it and out there" if it just did not sit right with them? Would that be fair, even if they did all the rest of the work with the group, to give them a lower grade? I don't think it would be. I would find an alternative for them if necessary. As long as they did the assignments and research, I would allow it and grade based on what they had done. What about if the project did not sit right with the parents? There are a lot of what ifs in these projects. However, I do see the benefits of teaching them to stand up and fight for things they believe in.

Despite not being able to make the fundraiser, I feel as though I have been a member of this group.I did the work, learned a lot, and maybe over time will be able be more verbal and aggressive in fighting for women and Planned Parenthood.

Brooke's Reflection

     I learned so much over the course of this project. At the beginning, I only knew that there were people out there who disagreed with Planned Parenthood's ideas and methods, but after this project I realized that it went so much deeper! I had no idea how much good Planned Parenthood actually does for women, and men! Everything from services to education and, yes, abortion. I've learned just how much the government is interfering in women's health and how little women actually get to say about it in the debates. Why is it that men are the only ones giving an opinion? Its disgusting to think that some day I may not have control over my own body!

 

     I stand right alongside Planned Parenthood, though I disagree with abortion except in extreme cases. But the fact of the matter is that abortion is one tiny piece of all the good Planned Parenthood does. I support their fight for women's health and rights. I encourage people to learn more before they judge Planned Parenthood and the women, and men, who use their services. I pray that the government realizes that they have no control in what we as women do with our bodies. Spreading the word about safe sex and the ways that women can protect their bodies is not a "shameful" and "horrible" thing!

 

     I would use this materiel and topic in high school's more so than lower grades. This is a topic that would affect those students more. It can be altered for lower grades by having the students learn about the benefits of promoting health and preventing classes like health and gym from being removed from their school.

 

   This project was very enlightening. I think more people need to do research before they make their opinions. 

Katies Reflection

What I learned- I already knew a lot about this topic but what i learned is that there are so many people that do not stand with Planned Parenthood. I also believe that there should be a location that is closer to the Salem State area, the closest one is in Somerville.

Where I stand- I stand with Planned Parenthood, and always will. I think everything they do has a good purpose behind it.

How to tie it all in- In the elementary school you cant really tie in Planned Parenthood, but in older grades i do feel it is very important to teach safe sex. It is very important for people to know all the good things that Planned Parenthood do and all the great services that they have, that are free! 

Service Learning- Our service learning project was great! There were so many people that wanted to know more about Planned Parenthood. Also, learning that so many people did not know about Planned Parenthood made me feel like i was really doing something good. I was teaching people about Planned Parenthood and the free services that are available. 

 

Stephanie's Reflection

I can honestly say that ever since I was a teenager I have been a supporter of Planned Parenthood. My reasons behind this stem from knowing what it is like not to have health insurance but having a personal health issue that needed to be treated almost right away. If I did not have the resources available to meet with this doctor then it would have turned into a serious problem. So, to learn about the funding for places like this being cut by MEN, who have never had to worry about cervical cysts or mammograms ,really upsets me.  I never thought that one day I would be advocating for an agency that does so much for women (and men) in the lower social class of society because of funding cuts.  I also never thought that I would be the one saying everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but be sure to look at the facts first; don’t just listen to the government officials or the religious views.

In fact,  from doing this project I wonder how people can go about making laws, cutting funding, and bring about change, when they don’t even have (or care) about the facts.  It is interesting to see how easy it is for the government to just cut the funding for places the can have controversial services, like Planned Parenthood, but overall are doing something really good for the lower class.

In many ways Planned Parenthoods most recent funding cut out in Texas sums up what I have learned from this project, and how harmful it really is to cut Planned Parenthoods funding. “Texas Governor Rick Perry moved to effectively sabotage the state's entire Medicaid Women's Health Program, which provides 130,000 low-income women with basic reproductive health care services. This comes on the heels of devastating cuts to women's health funding across the board — cuts already expected to leave 160,000 women without care this year.  Within days and weeks, even more women — who very often have no other options — will be cut off from health care. Governor Perry and his conservative allies have once again chosen politics over the lives of Texas women. He will never know the reality of the women who rely on these programs. He will never know what it's like for a woman who feels a lump in her breast, but has to worry about the cost of a doctor's visit.”

I also know from doing my service learning project that there really are a lot more people out there who support Planned Parenthood then we would think.  I couldn’t believe how many women said “oh, Planned Parenthood—I love Planned Parenthood.”   I also couldn’t believe the amount of guys who were just as supportive; although not as many of them knew about a whole lot about it.  In some ways, I think I also expected more people to disagree with Planned Parenthood simply because of the reputation it holds, but I was able to see that it actually holds more of a good reputation than a bad one with the younger people (men and women) of this generation. I really enjoyed doing this service learning project because I was taken outside of my comfort zone, as I supported but never once pushed my beliefs upon others. In the end, we were able to get over 60 people to support Planned Parenthood and because of that I was able to walk away from the night grateful I went.

As to adapting this service learning project to the classroom, I do not feel as if this topic would be appropriate for an elementary school classroom. However, Planned Parenthood does have an excellent amount of resources on their website that has links for implementing sex education in the classroom, program evaluation tools, activity and lesson plans, books, curricula and manuals, pamphlets, research papers, videos, and websites.  So, if you need these resources they are available. Also, instead of sex education the class could have a topic that relates to proper health and hygiene.

In the end, I am glad that I chose to become an advocate for Planned Parenthood, and I am grateful that I was able to partake in the service learning project where I was given the advantage of seeing other people’s reaction to the topic.  I know that I cannot use this topic in school, but I am glad that if I ever had to for some reason there are resources available. 

Amanda's Reflection

I have always known about and support Planned Parenthood, but doing this project opened my eyes to the controversy surrounding Planned Parenthood. I learned about the funding cuts and I think that is ridiculous that rich politicians are trying to cut an organization that helps young girls, low income individuals, and women in general. I feel that the people wanting to cut funding are not educated on everything Planned Parenthood does and has not been in a situation where they need the help Planned Parenthood provides. Going to Planned Parenthood in Boston made me see how serious of an issue this is as their were people outside yelling as we walked in, metal detectors, cameras and security guides.
Through doing our service learning project I learned that our age group and generation is very aware of Planned Parenthood and for the most part supports them.
This is a tricky topic to teach at the elementary level because it's not age appropriate, but away it can be incorporated is by talking about personal health and hygiene.

Crystal's Reflection

I was already a supporter of Planned Parenthood before doing this project and I will continue to do so.    I have learned a lot more about the subject then I realized.  There is so much controversy about Planned Parenthood because of the services it provides.  Most of these issues are politically or religiously based.  I absolutely believe that everybody has the right to their own beliefs but it's discouraging to see how forceful they can be when others do not agree with them.  I used to think that it's okay if they can at least tolerate those that take advantage of the health services and education that PPH has to offer.  Even that they can't do.  Look at Katie and Amanda's experience even going to the clinic for information.  My plan as of today is to raise awareness on EVERY service that PPH has to offer communities.

There are some topics that aren't age appropriate for elementary school students concerning PPH however there are still some topics that could be discussed for those who are in the fifth grade.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/rochester-syracuse/pre-school-elementary-22720.htm?__utma=1.322220895.1330637150.1330637150.1330637150.1&__utmb=1.6.10.1330637150&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1330637150.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=160313661

This link above helps parents with ideas on how to talk about sex and puberty as well as retreats they could go on to learn how to communicate more effectively.  There is a "Not Now" program offered to 5th and 6th graders where it advocates for abstinance.  I could see myself as a teacher using PPH to promote healthy living through eating properly, exercising and socialization.  One of my main focuses would be their well-being and what they could do to maintain it.

Planned Parenthood and Health Education

     The topic of Planned Parenthood and the debates surrounding it is not something that we would bring to the attention of elementary school students. Many teachers and parents would find that to be inappropriate and, as a group, we agreed. However, a similar topic that may be more age appropriate for the children would be the issues of health education in elementary schools. Along with band, choir, and home economics, one of the first classes to disappear with budget cuts is health class. Following close behind may even be physical education classes! Its sad to think that in the age of childhood obesity we are close to loosing one of the few chances children have to exercise during the school day or even the whole day! Schools are doing great in promoting health in terms of having the food group signs up in the cafeteria or serving healthy lunches, but it backfires when you take away opportunities to follow the healthy eating with exercise! Sure the kids have recess, but shouldn't they have more than just fifteen minutes or so a day? Some schools in the U.S. want to do away with recess all together. Here we are promoting the importance of exercise, but we're taking away their opportunity to do just that. Health class is just another way to build upon your basis of healthy eating. In many health classes children have the chance to learn other ways to be healthy and what is going on in their bodies that requires them to eat healthy.
     Students could actively protest the loss of their recess, physical education class, and health class by doing research on the benefits of those classes and spreading the word that they may be lost for good. They could start a campaign and write letters to their principal and other school administrators. Students could also help their school promote the healthy habits by hanging up posters to remind their classmates the healthy habits they should follow.

Related Websites:
Too Much Sugar in Kids Diets, Healthy Recipes for Kids, Problem with Cutting Gym and Recess