We live in a time where “pro-choice” and “pro-life” are heavy topics of controversary and debate across the globe, with a direct correlation to the nonprofit organization, Planned Parenthood. The evolution of this organization, and the changing perspective of sex and birth control methods thereof, can be viewed as a “paradigm shift.”A paradigm shift can be defined as a significant shift in a cultural practice as a result of a cultural attitude operating in public life. I will discuss Planned Parenthood’s transition over time by looking into history from before the organization was founded, post World War II, the founding of the international federation, and the organization in our modern 21st century. By analyzing this shift through research and perceptiveness, I will be able to identify how our culture has come to view and value the importance of sexual education and possible ramifications that could have taken place if this shift had not occurred. Following the evolution of Planned Parenthood has shown the advancement of birth control and family planning, proving not only the existence of the shift but also its significance.

As humans, we all have desires alive within us, one of which is sex. To desire sex is inevitable to say the least, as it is necessary to procreate. Sex is also, quite obviously, used for pleasure and early on, people began looking for ways to have sex without the risk of having children. However, in the beginning, access to methods of birth control were not nearly as convenient as they are today. In 1873 in the United States, the ​Obscenity statute​, also known as the 'Comstock bill,' was passed, making the distribution of information on birth control illegal: “For having distributed leaflets on the streets with information on birth control several of them ended up in jail” (Claeys para. 8). This bill wasn’t revoked until 1971 (Lagerwey para. 23). One of the largest areas of controversy with contraceptives was the argument that it would help control the population growth, which was strongly encouraged by Thomas Robert Malthus. Supporters of his argument made the case that there were limited natural resources and additionally, “Much of the early birth control movement strove to reduce births among the same populations that federal laws excluded from immigrating to the United States: those defined as posing economic, social, or eugenic risks to the dominant population” (Lagerwey para. 12). Thomas’s theory was named the “Malthusian theory” with the creation of the Malthusian league and international Malthusian conferences to follow, the first conference taking place in 1881.

Overall, the Malthusians were largely not supported but gained some movement in the public sphere by 1922. Thomas Malthus and his supporters can be defined as demographers, for their “focus [was] on population numbers, the others [looked] at human rights and the development of the individual” (Claeys para. 6). It wasn’t until the Seventh International Birth Control Conference in 1930 that individuals came to the agreeement that sexual education was important in an effort to fight abortion. This is ironic in the fact that Planned Parenthood has now become the leading organization in the nation that provides abortion services and claims that abortions ​only​ make up 3% of their work (Devi para. 3).

After World War II, developments in the realm of family planning were at a stand still in the United States, with Sweden taking the lead. It wasn’t until Mrs Elise Ottesen-Jensen founded

the Riksförbundet för Sexuell Upplysning (RFSU) in 1933 that hope was restored. At RFSU’s annual conference in 1946, there was a public desire for an international organzation encompassing aspects of sex education (Swedes and the Dutch), population control (United States), and family planning (Britain). Soon after, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IFPP) was formed in 1952 by “India, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, West-Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong” (Claeys para. 16). Planned Parenthood became an organization recognized globally and the Family Planning Federation of Japan was close to follow, founded in 1953.

In 1952, contraceptives available to the public were condoms, pessaries, cervical caps, and spermicides, which were the same exact methods available in the 1880s. Planned Parenthood saw that this was an area that needed improvement and made one of their missions to create new forms of contraceptives. Originally, information on contraceptives was most easily accessible to the higher class (Lagerwey para. 15). Now, Planned Parenthood is recognized and praised for its availability towards young and low-income women during a time of high need. Planned Parenthood defined their role as educational in the terms of safe sex and family planning, creating an environment that fosters and supports the sexual reproductive health and rights of an individual (Claeys para. 19). In 2008, IPPF reflected their mission by going as far as to publish a sexual rights declaration. One can see the substantial shift taking place over time, moving from it being illegal to providing information on birth control towards acknowledging an individual's rights and providing resources, such as contraceptives, to support this idea.

With the increase in research that needed to be done in order to create new successful forms of contraceptive methods, Planned Parenthood created a Medical Committee, the International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP), subsequent sub-committees, and the IFPP Research Committee. At the IFPP’s sixth international conference, the Vice-President of India, Dr Sarvepelli Radhakrishna, made a statement that I could not agree with more:

It is not right to think that the sex instinct and the reproductive instinct, though they go together, must always go together. Sex is the expression of love as well as the means of procreation. These two things may be distinguished and it is not right to say that you must suppress the sex instincts because you don't wish to have a child. Repression is not the remedy (Claeys para. 28).

To tell one’s self that they will remain abstinent from sex to avoid procreation because they don’t agree with birth control or because it goes against their religious beliefs is ignornant in my opinion. For example, this applies to believers of the Roman Catholic church because they exercise abstinence but abstinence ​is a​ form of birth control and is not reliable. Robert A. Springer in his article, ​Marriage, the Family, and Sex ⎯: a Roman Catholic View,​ argues that “The older ethic of no sex before marriage and after marriage no contraception, the popular version expressed it, simply will not do” (6). As humans, we are​ all​ bound to fall to temptation, especially when it comes to sex. That is why it is so important to have other methods available for those who are not ready for children physically, mentally, and/or financially. As of today, there is still influence in the “behaviour of Catholics in Latin America and Africa” (Claeys para. 50). Some extremist conservative groups have gone as far as bombing family planning headquarters out of rage and disagreement with their mission (para. 55). Despite setbacks, challenges, and oppositions, Planned Parenthood is an organization that has invested time and research into the creation of successful and modern forms of contraceptives over time.

In 1960, amidst obstacles, the oral contraceptive pill was successfully passed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the IFPP implemented it into their clinics, but it was still “in many countries limited to married couples” (Claeys para. 50). Thirty years later, in 1990, an important shift took place with the focus on society being now targeted towards that of the individual (para. 45). Planned Parenthood specifically took interest and supported the idea of focusing on the individual, that individual being in particular, women. At the Fourth Women’s Conference, in which IFPP was an attendee at, it was agreed that women should be able to make their own choices and be in control of their sexuality (para. 46). There was the ongoing argument that ultimately, the government was still failing to acknowledge and value women’s lives which was “put to rest” after the ​Roe v. Wade​ case in 1973. From this case, the US Supreme Court legalized abortion. In comparison, abortion wasn’t legalized until 1990 in Belgium (para. 52). There is irony in Planned Parenthood’s support of women’s rights and advocation of “pro-choice” because when a woman chooses abortion, she is ultimately taking away the rights and choices of another living human being inside of her. Altogether though, Planned Parenthood is still gaining momentum. A recent study with 1280 adult participants showed that 54% were in support of federal funding towards Planned Parenthood and 26% were opposed (Devi para. 6). Without this established organization, contraceptives wouldn’t have been as widely available as they are now and as a result, there would be more pregnancies. Repercussions of too many pregancies close together can include depression, higher rates of abortions, single mothers, tuberculosis, and mental fatigue (Lagerwey para. 37).

Collectively, we can choose to continue to grapple with the debate over “pro-choice” or “pro-life,” just as we once argued over the idea of contraceptives. Alternatively, we could learn from the evolution of Planned Parenthood throughout history and how the transition from limited resources sexually to the creation of modern forms of contraception has overall, benefited our society. Women are now able to choose to be sexually active while not being burdened by having more children than they can support. Planned Parenthood is of significance because it has brought to light the concept of family planning and has supported it, which over time has become recognized as a human right. The transformation of this organization is a paradigm shift by making a stand for women and recognizing that they should not be confined to the ideal role of a mother. Women were once limited to their knowledge of sexual education and can now be empowered by their options available, such as birth control and family planning. Planned Parenthood will continue to foster and support the sexual reproductive health and rights of an individual for years to come.

Works Cited

Claeys, Vicky. “Brave and Angry - The Creation and Development of the International Planned

Parenthood Federation (IPPF).” ​European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care,​ vol. 15, Dec. 2010, pp. S67–S76. ​EBSCOhost,​doi:10.3109/13625187.2010.526726.

Devi, Sharmila. "Anti-Abortion Groups Target Funding of Planned Parenthood."​ The Lancet,​vol. 386, no. 9997, 2015, pp. 941​. ProQuest​, http://search.proquest.com.proxy.consortiumlibrary.org/docview/1709551106?accountid =14473,doi:​http://dx.doi.org.proxy.consortiumlibrary.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00113 -0

Lagerwey, Mary D. “Nursing, Social Contexts, and Ideologies in the Early United States Birth Control Movement.” ​Wiley Online Library,​ 4 Jan. 2002, doi:10.1046/j.1440-1800.1999.00037.x.

Springer, Robert H. “Marriage, the Family, and Sex—: a Roman Catholic View .” ​Project Muse,​Johns Hopkins University Press, 1976, doi:10.1353/pbm.1976.0005.

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MACKENZIE LINDEMAN is a Junior pursuing a Baccalaureate degree in English with an emphasis on Secondary Education. Upon graduation, Mackenzie hopes to pursue a teaching career abroad and eventually, return to her home state of Alaska. This piece was selected by Professor Jacqueline Cason.