Understanding The Origins And Impacts Of United States Foreign Policy On Family Planning And Reproductive Health

How exactly did abortion, one small aspect of family planning and reproductive health, become the nexus of debate for US support of all family planning and reproductive health care services worldwide? This paper will analyze the implications that the interplay of U.S. foreign policies has on access to family planning and reproductive health (FP/RH) care and services across the globe. It will begin by providing an overview of what family planning and reproductive health entails, as well as an explanation of how the practice of abortion fits into FP/RH care. The benefits of FP/RH will be outlined with research-based support. Looking into the history of policy developments and partisan positioning on the topic within the US will then add depth and perspective to how such developments lead to a complete break-down of effective policy making. After delving into the historical origins of abortion politics in the United States, the focus will be turned outward to the web of policies dictating how US Foreign Assistance for FP/RH is allocated. One particular policy that will be analyzed is the Mexico City Policy. The following analysis seeks to determine the true impact of policies in place, in terms of effectiveness in achieving policy goals as well as the observed impact on FP/RH providers. Because the Trump Administration has enacted unprecedented extensions of restrictive foreign policies on FP/RH, a brief overview of the policies under President Trump will be provided as well. The paper will conclude by contemplating the far-reaching implications that American positioning on family planning and reproductive health has for the country’s engagement with the wider world.