I grew up in a suburb of Boston. I attended public school, and none of my female friends ever faced an unplanned pregnancy. This is because we had access to reproductive and sexual education, and birth control. Now, I am in college in Rochester. I still use hormonal birth control, and so do most of my girlfriends. One of my best friends went to Planned Parenthood to get an IUD. Her parents do not want her to take birth control, as they fear it encourages sexual activity. My friend does not have to worry about pregnancy because of Planned Parenthood. We are free, educated, empowered young women. Birth control and sexual education help us maintain this.