Refining the Approach in Mexico

Hidden ideologies in a divided society…faith accused of not accepting the “right” to abortion… science using “the pill” as medicine….and the list goes on. If the general public accepts lies as truth… is there any opportunity for acceptance of NFP? Opportunities exist in Mexico, but only if we refine our approach to the way services are offered.

Target stable couples instead of general public. Fertility Appreciation programs targeting niche markets of stable Christian couples prone to embrace a procreative mindset, is planting seeds in fertile soil. Nevertheless, studies reveal relevant practical barriers. Natural methods are viewed as ineffective. After having two or three children, many couples become sterilized, citing “health reasons.”

Two key health factors impacting couples need to be addressed:

a) Medicalization of pregnancy. The high C-Section rate (86%) in México drives healthcare protocols that treat multiple pregnancies as a risk to women’s health. Coercion to use contraception or be sterilized following each obstetrical event results in a high rate of surgical sterilization. The solution lies in education of couples, and changes in the way health services are delivered.

b) Ideologization of health services. After ten years of offering abortion in Mexico City, radical groups are now pressing for it to be offered in half of the 32 Mexican states. Despite widespread acceptance of a “Reproductive Rights” mentality in most countries, beginning with the US, there is still a window of opportunity to impact this. The key is education of young people, beginning with those families who have participated in our programs these last fifty years.

Refining the approach includes building the capacity of an informed community, comprised of families connected globally who can sustain arguments in defense of life, and serve as strong models of “real life” loving families. The message is simple: everybody wants to be happy.

Educational programs must be rooted in health, medical, social, and academic research, reflecting an appreciation of the dignity of the human person from conception to natural death.

Children must be equipped with decision making skills before encountering the culture of death, to develop a procreative mindset before facing the cohabitation or marriage decision.

Millennials represent a great opportunity, as they strive for a better life than their parents.They are open to learning and seek the truth, and strategies to engage them must consider their orientation towards online services and self-learning.

Refining the approach requires understanding global challenges and collaborating to create solutions that enable couples to reject the contraceptive mentality and adopt procreative and healthy lifestyles. Cultural and political pro-life influence must be exerted globally through strategic investment in shared interests. Digital media facilitates our ability to quickly engage a strong global community of families, living deeply fundamental values and standing up for life.

Let’s do it together!