Reproductive Choices

Reproductive Choices

Latoya Wilson

Capella University

June 5, 2019

Human Sexuality

Human sexuality makes it achievable for people and animals to express themselves as sexual beings. Sexuality is one of the reasons behind the feeling that everyone has the thoughts and the manner in which we behave. Sexuality defines the manner, in which biological reproduction comes about, it goes ahead to describe the sociological and psychological representation of oneself and the way a person is attracted to others especially of the opposite sex. Human sexuality is a sensitive issue across both sexes. It is an issue that is handled with confidentiality respects for individual’s rights and dignity which is an ethical principle. Through sex, children get an opportunity to bond with each other, adolescents get time to flirt and adults go ahead into having babies.

The good sexual and reproductive state can be categorized as a mental, physical and social stability of an individual that is directly related to the reproductive system. This means that people are able to have a satisfied and safe sexual life. They also have freedom when it comes to matters of reproduction and child bearing. They are able to determine when to reproduce, why they need to do so and how often they need to have children. For one to be able to maintain the best sexual and reproductive practices it is important to seek for important information which is accurate pertaining to the use of contraceptives and how regularly they need to use them. It is important for people to be well informed for the purpose of doing away with unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. (Rainwater, 2017).

When women are ready and psychologically prepared to have children, they must be able to access to important advice from physicians make it easy for them to go through the pregnancy period to delivery and thus a healthy baby. When it comes to sexuality and reproductive health everyone must be given a chance to make their own choices. This is respecting other peoples right and dignity. It is applicable by recognizing the worth of the individual through engaging in professional and positive interactions without creating a direct influence of the decisions. Comment by Mccaa Russum: Good statement but what does this have to do with professional behaviors in regard to professional ethical behaviors?

Contraceptives

It took time for people to accept the idea of using contraceptives. Most people in society thought that the use of contraceptives would lead to barrenness and even miscarriages. Through continuous education and campaigns, it has become easy for parents to take up the responsibility and use contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to do effective child spacing. However, it can only be conducted through maintaining competence in the way the clients are approached which include the way they portray themselves. Comment by Mccaa Russum: What competencies are important in regard to APA ethical code?

Contraception is a physical method that is used for the purpose of preventing pregnancy. This is done by interfering with the normal ovulation process, fertilization, and implantation. There are different birth control that can be used at different points in time. Examples of contraception methods include hormonal methods, barrier methods, intrauterine devices, tubal ligation, spermicides, and vasectomy (Griesemer, 2016). Unfortunately, there is no birth control that can be categorized as being perfect. This usually happens when they are not faithfully used. The only way to preventing unwanted pregnancies especially among the young people is by abstinence. Comment by Mccaa Russum: How is this explained to clients within the frame of reference based upon APA code of ethics? Remember, this is the area that needs to be addressed.

Many birth control methods have their own side effects and this may make most people avoid using them. However, knowing the side effects of using contraceptives can be important in helping a woman to determine the birth control method that is right for her. One needs to avoid birth control methods that carry an additional risk which in the end can lead to barrenness. All these indicate that abstinence is the best way for anyone to choose to avoid unwanted pregnancies that would lead to abortion.

Ethics on abortion and the use of contraceptives

Most people think that it is important for human beings to take up responsibilities for the consequences of actions done. This means that abortion is a wrong thing for one to do especially in a situation where a mother to the child willingly made up her mind for sex and was not prepared for the outcome or neglected the use of preventive methods. Abortion is doing away with the unborn child. This occurrence can be very traumatizing to the mother for the rest of her life. As a doctor, the only way to advice for abortion is when the mother is in danger. Comment by Mccaa Russum: What does the APA Code of Ethics say in regard to this assertion?

A doctor before taking in a patient for abortion purposes, it is important for him or her to give guidance to the patient and the desired consequences that will come as a result of doing it. The doctor will be performing the Beneficence and Nonmaleficence principle. The doctor is aware of his or her professional influence and the potential consequences on the individuals they are engaged with. However, abortion should not be done illegally to everyone who thinks that he or she is not able to take care of the child or was not prepared to take responsibility of being pregnant (Camosy, 2015). The duty of any physician or psychologist who is giving guidance on abortion and the use of contraceptives must ensure privacy. This means that any information given by the patient to him or her must not be leaked or shared unless the patient gives permission for the information to be used. Comment by Mccaa Russum: Is it ethically correct for a clinician to offer guidance? How does that change the client-clinician relationship?

Honesty during the interaction with the client is important. When the physician is honest to give an outline of the side effects of using contraceptives then it makes it easier for the client to make the right decision. Honesty makes the client choose contraceptives with minimal side effects. The doctor practices the principle of integrity. They are honest and transparent on the practices and the effects that may fall upon the clients. They avoid deception to enable the client to make the right and the most appropriate decisions affecting their lives. The physician must avoid at all costs the use of false or deceptive statements. Any therapy administered to a client on matters pertaining to the use of contraceptives and conducting abortion should not be shared through the social media or when giving lectures or when giving testimonies in different gatherings (Bond, 2015).

The counseling process needs to be done in a solitude area where the client feels comfortable to give confidential information for advice. Privacy and confidentiality are important in guidance and counseling.

References

Griesemer, J. (2016). Reproduction in complex life cycles: toward a developmental reaction norms perspective. Philosophy of Science, 83(5), 803-815.

Rainwater, L. (2017). Family design: Marital sexuality, family size, and contraception. Routledge.

Bond, T. (2015). Standards and ethics for counselling in action. Sage.

Camosy, C. C. (2015). Beyond the abortion wars: A way forward for a new generation. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.