This document discusses the challenges of being both an advocate and neutral facilitator for Planned Parenthood. As a mediator, it is important to remain unbiased and nonjudgmental of decisions around abortion or adoption, regardless of personal beliefs. Advocates provide support to ensure clients' needs are met, while mediators facilitate open communication between parties to reach an agreement. Both roles require strong, open-minded individuals who can handle sensitive issues professionally while keeping personal values separate.

1. Challenges of being an Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
Challenges of Being a Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
BSHS/441
October 14, 2013
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2. Challenges of being an Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
Challenges of being a Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
In the following paper it will be discussed in detail the personal opinion of
advocacy and mediation in the human service field. Also this paper will identify my
personal philosophy and individual approach in advocating and mediating with in the
Planned Parenthood field.
At this particular agency it is very important for a mediator to have confidence
within the services that are provided and that the professional have to no personal
feelings or objectives to topics such as abortion or adoption. It is also important that the
professional be nonbiased and in order for that to occur, the professional should not
have conflict of interest with the person that may choose to have an abortion. An
abortion is a difficult decision for a mother to have to make. In the U.S., there are some
that feel that abortion is murder no matter what the situation is. As the mediator, they
have to accept the choice that the mother makes no matter what their personal beliefs
are. Mediation does not involve the changing of the person’s choice or making that
choice for them, it is facilitating the clients and communication so that both parties can
come to an agreement (The Association of Attorney-Mediators 2001).
An advocate and mediator are both important in the Planned Parenthood
process. The mother and/or family will need to help and support of the advocate in order
to ensure that the parties involves needs and care are met. The mediator should be a
third party to facilitate communication and inspire communication so that an agreement
and conclusion are met. It is also very important that the mediator stays a neutral party
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3. Challenges of being an Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
between both parties that have the choice to make. They should never be bias to one
choice or the other (Planned Parenthood, 2013).
In closing, advocacy and mediation are both very important within the Planned
Parenthood process; it takes a strong, open-minded, and knowledgeable person to be
able to deal with this type of profession. As a mediator you are assisting the party with
the issue with a great deal of involvement and looking for a solution by keeping one’s
personal values and beliefs to their self. As an advocate, you are supporting the party
that is against the issues at hand. Both roles are difficult roles and should always be
taken seriously.
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4. Challenges of being an Planned Parenthood Advocate and Neutral Facilitator
References
The Association of Attorney-Mediators (2001) Association of Attorney-Mediators Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators. Retrieved from
http://www.attorney-mediators.org/ethics.html
Planned Parenthood (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org/
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