Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO), defines FAMILY PLANNING  as “the ability of individuals and couples to prepare for and attain their desired number of children and the spacing and timing of their births. This is done through birth control. Family Planning is not only for married people but for all individuals of sexually active age.

Birth Control is the control of the time to have a child or an offspring by preventing conception.  Conception simply means the process of becoming pregnant.  Therefore,  Birth Control is also known as contraception. 

THE ADVANTAGES OF FAMILY PLANNING 

– Family Planning Prevents Unwanted Pregnancies 

By preventing unwanted Pregnancies, Family Planning  Helps to Build Strong and Vibrant Families where care, hope and love thrive

– Family Planning Gives Chances for both Singles and Couples  to attain their Economic and Educational goals 

The period of pregnancy and raising a child is very delicate and requires lots of dedication and moral and financial commitment. This becomes more economically challenging in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare is paid out of pocket.  Unwanted pregnancies are one of the major causes of school dropouts and business failures.

Family Planning Prevents Abortion 

They can never have an abortion, whether induced or not, without a pregnancy.

 Cases of accidental abortions, both intentional and accidental, are rare in planned pregnancies. With planned pregnancies,  individuals or couples are well prepared, medically, socially, psychologically, and economically, to face any challenges that come with pregnancy. 

– It decreases the spread of STDs.

Many family planning methods decrease the risk of acquiring Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

– Furthermore,  family planning,  By addressing the problem of  STDs and abortion, planned pregnancies Pregnancies reduces the risk of infertility when the time comes to have an offspring. 

– Lastly,  family planning curbs abuse and prepares the groundwork for positive emotions such as love and care to thrive.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NO FAMILY PLANNING  

The consequences of a failure to plan for pregnancy and family are life-threatening. 

– Lack of family planning dangerously decreases the quality of life of a father, mother, and child in all aspects, which include: physical, economic, and social. 

– Studies have proven that mothers and fathers of unwanted pregnancies are at risk of depression, anxiety, self-abuse, and gender-based violence, and their relationship is at risk of breakup.

– Such couples suffer from financial hardship and may fail to attain their economic and career goals. Unwanted pregnancies are a drawback to the development and maintenance of strong and healthy families.

– Children of unwanted conception suffer abuse and are most likely to be aborted intentionally or unintentionally. If these children are born,  they might end up dying in the first year of life because of low birth weight, abuse, a lack of proper care, or insufficient resources. Abortion in Cameroon forfeits many cultural, religious, and societal norms and is therefore dangerous to the well-being of the one who intentionally commits it.

Conclusion

Managing an unplanned pregnancy is challenging, as opposed to Planned Pregnancies where the father, mother, and baby are well-prepared to enjoy the gift of life. As a sexually active person, you must choose between family planning and abortion or the aches and huddles of unwanted pregnancy. But I would prefer you choose FAMILY PLANNING.