On Sept. 1, 2021 Texas passed a law that many people call the “Heartbeat” law. After six weeks of pregnancy or when there is a a heartbeat, a woman in Texas is not allowed to get an abortion. What do VHS students have to say?

In California the  birth rate is 12.4 per 1,000 females between the ages of 15 and 19, World Population Review  states. Teenage pregnancies are caused by many different factors, whether it be  individual, social or familial risk . Religion and personal beliefs have a lot to do with it as well. Lots of teens use the “pull out” or “withdrawal method” and think that that is an effective way to stay safe. The “pull out” method is scientifically proven that it’s not as effective as teens all think, lots of times teens get distracted with their own pleasure, and don’t pull out in time. The “Pull Out” method is 78 percent effective, according to Planned Parenthood, so about every one in five people who use this method get pregnant. This is one of the birth control methods that cause most Teen Pregnancies. 

What are  VHS students saying about abortion? 

Luis Ayala Lbarra said, “I feel it’s incorrect to make choices for other people’s bodies.” Diane Villaloboz, also a senior, has the same idea. Villaloboz said, “I think that women should have a say about their own body, I also think its really dumb, (the Texas Abortion ban law)  because most women don’t find out tell afterwards.” What Villaloboz means by saying “afterwards” she means that most women don’t find out they’re pregnant until after the six week mark. 

Dr. Sarah Horvath is an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, from Penn State Health Obstetrics and Gynecology in Hershey, Pennsylvania, had an interview with New York Times supporting Villaloboz statement. Horvaths said “Unless a woman is actively trying to get pregnant, she is unlikely to know that she is pregnant at six weeks,” thus far Villaloboz ‘statement is true. 

The Texas abortion ban law is called Sb8. This law means that any women who is pregnant more than six weeks along, and looking to get an abortion is legaly not allowed to. The state of Texas says “…We are protecting women’s health and safety…”

Doctor Willie Park, an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist in Tyler, Texas was forced by the state to actively spred lies about the abortion affects. “That when having an abortion it is possible to having complications such as risks of bleeding, infection, damage to any of your organs, and yet these are all the same effects that can happen when carrying on with a pregnancy,” he claims is one of the lies he was instructed to say. The final lie the state instructed him to say is, “That when having an abortion, it can increase the risk of women having breast cancer. There is no scientific evidence to support that,” he makes clear to the group he is talking to, “I was forced to tell you this information, but they can’t stop me telling the truth and my opinion.” 

Need to know more about the different Birth Controls? Resources are available at  PlannedParenthood.com.

For those with any sexual health needs call Planned Parenthood at (888) 898-3806 or go to their location at 5400 Ralston St, Ventura, CA 93003.