1.
Psychology's Perspective on Family Planning
In psychology, family planning is about making careful, informed choices about how
many children to have, when to have them, and how far apart to have them.
Looking at a couple planning for their future—they might consider their finances,
careers, and personal values. Psychology recognizes that family planning decisions
aren’t made in a rushed state; they’re influenced by cultural, religious, social, and
personal factors, as well as access to education. For example, a couple might wait to
have kids until they feel financially stable, or until they feel emotionally ready, which
psychology views as a healthy, thoughtful approach.
2. Catholic Church’s Teachings on IVF and Contraception
According to the Church, the purpose of sex goes in 2 ways: to bring life into the world
and to unite the couple in love. Contraception, or preventing pregnancy, is seen as going
against this purpose because it intentionally blocks conception, separating the "unitive"
(relationship) and "procreative" (creating life) aspects of sex.
Similarly, the Church criticizes in vitro fertilization (IVF) for moving conception out of its
natural setting which is the marital union.
Since In IVF, multiple embryos are created outside the body, some of which may not be
used. The Church teaches that each embryo is a potential life, so discarding or freezing
embryos is seen as a violation of human dignity. Father Mike, a Catholic priest, says
these teachings aren’t meant to be restrictive but to guide people toward what the
Church believes is a fulfilling, God-centered life. the Church advocates for a respectful
and responsible approach to sexuality that recognizes each child as a unique gift and
emphasizes the commitment to life within the marital union.
3. Challenges and Barriers in Family Planning
● Access to Information and Services:
Lack of Awareness about Family Planning Options: This is applied to the
many rural and remote areas of the Philippines, limited access to information
means that families are not always aware of the range of contraceptive options
available to them. For example, some communities in the provinces of Mindanao
have reported low awareness of modern contraceptive methods, resulting in
higher rates of unintended pregnancies.
Limited Availability of Services, Especially in Rural Areas: An example of this
would be In parts of the Cordillera region and Mindanao, healthcare facilities
providing family planning services can be far and difficult to reach. Women in
rural areas often need to travel long distances to access family planning services,
and the lack of available trained healthcare workers further limits access.
Cost Barriers and Insurance Coverage Issue: While public health centers in
the Philippines provide free contraceptives, budget constraints and supply
shortages can limit availability. Additionally, in private healthcare settings,
contraceptives can be costly for those without health insurance, making access
more challenging for low-income families.
● Cultural and Social Norms
Traditional Beliefs and Practices that Discourage Family Planning: In some
rural communities in the Philippines, traditional beliefs favor large families and
discourage the use of contraception. For instance, in certain areas of Northern
Luzon, family planning is sometimes viewed as incompatible with Catholic
teachings, which influences people to avoid using contraceptives.
Gender Inequality and Limited Decision-Making Power for Women: In certain
patriarchal households, especially in rural regions of the Philippines, women often
need to seek permission from their husbands before using contraceptives. This
dynamic can limit women’s control over their reproductive health, making it
challenging for them to access family planning services even if they desire to do
so.
Stigma and Discrimination Surrounding Certain Methods: In parts of the
Philippines, some contraceptive methods, such as condoms and birth control
pills, carry social stigma. This stigma can be particularly strong in conservative
areas, where using contraception might be viewed negatively, discouraging
people from openly seeking these options.
● Legal and Policy Restrictions
Laws and Regulations that Restrict Access to Certain Methods: The
Reproductive Health Law (RH Law) of 2012 aimed to improve access to family
planning, but it faced significant legal challenges from conservative and religious
groups. These challenges delayed its implementation and restricted access to
some contraceptive methods for years. Even today, there are still barriers to
providing comprehensive reproductive health education in schools due to
conservative opposition.
Lack of Comprehensive Family Planning Policies:While the RH Law provided
a framework for family planning, gaps remain in policy support, particularly in
funding and service delivery. In areas like the Autonomous Region in Muslim
Mindanao (ARMM), implementation has been slower, resulting in limited access
to family planning services and education, which contributes to high rates of
unintended pregnancies in these regions.
4. Solutions and Strategies
● Expanding Access to Services: By setting up more clinics in underserved areas
and training healthcare workers, communities can increase availability. Some
places also offer affordable or even free contraception to help with the cost.
Example: A mobile health clinic that travels to remote areas could provide family
planning services and contraceptives, helping people who live far from regular
clinics.
● Providing Affordable Contraception: By making contraception more affordable
or covered by insurance, more people can access it. Governments and
organizations can work together to reduce costs or include these services in
health coverage.
Example: Offering free or low-cost birth control in pharmacies can make it easier
for young people or low-income families to access family planning.
● Strengthening Community Health Programs: Community health workers can
provide information and support in familiar settings, making it easier for people to
learn about family planning without feeling judged. These programs can include
education, counseling, and other resources.
Example: Community health outreach could include workshops at local centers
where people can learn about family planning options and ask questions openly.
