Blog 14: Female Circumcision-AHuman Rights Violation

Watching several videos on female genital mutilation, I found the primary reason to have this done to the girls was to “calm” them. This means to ride them of their sexual pleasure so they would not be promiscuous and/or “wait” for the men who went away. If a girl is not circumcised it will cause her not to get married and be casted away.

Many of these cultures continue this practice because it is tradition and because of the false beliefs they have. For instance one woman in Africa said that if the girl did not have this done, her clitoris would go up to her head and come out through the back and kill her, and her family. An Islamic woman said that when the clitoris is removed this will ensure the girl to grow tall and beautiful.

The women claim that this is a passage into woman hood, but how can this be when many of the girls who have this done are as young as two years of age and sometimes younger. The reason to having the girls circumcised at a younger age is because it is cheaper. One of the reporters said, “Think of it as throwing a two year old a party versus a sweet sixteen.”

The reporters asked these woman questions such as if they didn’t think it was cruel, but they seemed to go around it and answer it was not normal not to be circumcised. They also asked about the complications that could arise, however they said for example if a girl bled excessively that meant the girl was a witch.
I completely disagree with this tradition, which is such a cruel and horrendous thing to do. These cultures need to be educated about sexuality and how these beliefs are endangering the life of their child. This is definitely a human rights violation.

There are some steps being taken, which is approaching the “practitioners” and asking them to stop in exchange to educate them so that they will be able to make a living by other means. They are asked to pledge to stop practicing female circumcision and turn in their blades. In addition, there is an organization called Clitoraid, which restores women’s pleasure through an operation that is free. They also are educating people about this practice.

Blog 13: Violence against Women

I almost want to attribute violence against women as a cultural aspect from learning how Native Americans prohibited raping women and how English women did not report violence from Native Americans (Alexander et al). Spanish explorers actually brought their influence of violence against women, in particular rape (Alexander et al). I feel that cultures have adopted the belief of belittling women more and more. For those who are very religious take biblical things too literal since it says that a woman must be submissive, this is how many cultures feel that women should be.

I can only speak from my experiences and what I know about my culture. Mexican men have the stereotype of being “macho”, which has truth to it. I have known of many Mexican women who have suffered rape from family members such as cousins, uncles, brother, and/or father. Some of the domestic violence stories I have come to learn about are due to the fact that the husband holds a grudge against their wife because she was not a virgin, which was due to the fact that they were raped at a young age.

For instance, I know a woman who has a husband who is constantly verbally abusing her, has beaten her when she was pregnant, and she has to do everything for him. She has to cook him something on a daily basis because he will not eat left over’s and she must take his clothes to him after he showers. From my view point he treats her like a servant and maybe even less. This man has such mind control over her that he has manipulated her to do things. For instance, he does not let her wear makeup or fix herself up. If she does he simply ridicules her and says things like, “where is the circus?” Once she went to the store without letting him know, and when she realized that he was about to be home she became so nervous that she forgot her way home. My mother and other people close to her have tried to help, but for some reason she does not do anything to get out. I feel that he has issues of his own, which I cannot fully understand. If you did not know him you would think he is the most noble man because when it comes to helping others, even her family he will do everything in his power to help, however all the anger or whatever it is he has he takes it out on his wife.

I have so many stories within this subject matter, which if of people I know. This issue is such a heart breaking topic for me. Since sex is such a taboo subject in the Mexican culture I guess that parents do not think to tell their children that it is not okay or normal for someone to touch them in inappropriate ways or to let them know if anyone ever does. A child is not going to know anything or why on earth this is happening. This affects children in such ways that parents need to be alert about how their child acts. For instance, if they become aggressive, shy, scared, or even show fear when around a certain person(s).
I think this subject has a wide range of help, education and studies that need to be done.

Blog 12: Eating disorders

I looked at several you tube videos to try and understand what the girls/women that are suffering eating disorders are going through. Even though they are dangerously thin and are seeing all these health issues, such as having osteoporosis at age 22, and being infertile, they still see themselves as overweight. There was a girl who has lived with this disease for ten years and has gone into treatment three times and has relapsed. However, there are stories of other girls who have recovered. The video does not indicate whether they had family support and what type of treatment they had.

I know that society has instilled this feeling of being thin and has created the “thinspiration movement”. How and when did it get out of hand? I wonder if there were any eating disorders long before our time. Mental illness is a major part of this disease because the person is not seeing their real self. Treatment seems difficult since there are many that may or have relapsed, however recovery can be attained.

There definitely does need to be more of awareness about this so that girls/women do not fall victims of eating disorders. I feel that motivational speaker and therapy may help girls/women become mentally stronger. This needs to start at a young age through the parents so that the child will not have low self esteem. Workshops such as the ones the dove foundation has a self esteem fund. The dove web site indicates that 7 in 10 girls feel that they do not measure up in some way, 75% of girls with low self esteem engage in unhealthy practices, and 57% of their mothers criticize their own looks.The following video is a video I found about anorexia and how the mind distorts reality:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcN-ijsoAw0&feature=related

The Dove Foundation:
http://www.dove.us/#/makeadifference/tour.aspx

This link you will see what you dont see to get that perfect picture on a magazine, billboard,etc:

http://www.dove.us/#/makeadifference/video.aspx/

This link shows what the media is telling your daughters

http://www.dove.us/#/makeadifference/video.aspx/

Blog 11: Nutrition and Stress

According to Alexander, L., LaRosa, J., Bader,H., and Garfield, S. in New Dimensions in Women’s Health discusses how one’s nutrition can affect ones stress level. Certain foods that contain caffeine, alcohol, and sugar are considered to be “food stressors” . On the web site byestress.com gives information about how foods cause stress, which are the following:

· Caffeine e.g. coffee, tea, soda, chocolate
Stimulates central nervous system causing hyperactivity, irritation, and stress

· Alcohol e.g. mixed drinks, beer
Disrupts sleep, impaired judgment, bring about other issue among friends, family, co-workers

· Sugar e.g. “empty calories”
Gives quick spurt of energy which initiates insulin release, which may not cease, therefore causing the “crash” feeling

Not only can these bring about feelings of stress but health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, overweight issues, which will defiantly cause even more stress. One should also be aware how the food is cooked (e.g. deep fried and high temperatures should be avoided) can have an effect on how the food will affect your stress level. However, one should also try to choose the healthier foods which can actually reduce stress such as proteins, carbohydrates, potassium, iron, zinc and copper. However, one should not feel that they need to completely avoid these foods, but do remember moderation is the key.

How do I know I am stressed? byestress.com gives informative information about signs of short term stress on the body includes, fatigue, insomnia, over sleeping, rashes, hives, hair loss. Long term effects can be chest pains, low immune system, and chronic pains similar to arthritis.
For tips on relieving stress you can go to http://www.byestress.com/byestress-articles/stress-relievers.htm

Blog #10: Is heart disease common in your family? What are some of the environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomical, and educational factors th

I am not aware of heart disease being common in my family. Neither my grandparents nor my parents have been diagnosed with heart disease. However, dad was diagnosed with high cholesterol and my maternal grandmother has high blood pressure because of her diabetes. In addition, my family doctor has informed my 15 year old brother at a general check up that his blood pressure was high. Although my grandmother who has high blood pressure is my mom’s mother, my mother does not have high blood pressure or diabetes. My mother is always watching what she eats and walks/runs on a regular basis. However, my dad is not overweight and has high cholesterol. I think he is on medication, he tries to eat certain foods, and he exercise; however he does not cease to smoke. I actually asked him how many cigarettes he smokes and he said four, which was surprising to me because I thought he only smoke once a day!

I feel that all my personal risk factors are controllable because I do not smoke, I do not have hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or overweight, which are some factors that some of my relatives have. I have begun to engage in more physical activity at a gym along with my 15 year old brother. Being a health major has made me aware of many diseases, which one can lower their own risk.
For the most part I have used my knowledge gained from my education to help me make healthier choices such as committing to exercise and trying to eat healthier. I am more aware of what foods I need to consume more of and less of. I know now that it is important to make time for exercise for my physical life, even when I feel there is not any time to spare. Even though the gym is pricy I feel it is a better investment in my health, rather than spending money on cigarettes.

Some cultural factors could be diet. I know when I was much younger my mother would use the solid lard to cook and for some years now she only uses vegetable oil. In addition, Mexican families tend to eat a lot of “pan dulce”, which means sweet bread as a late snack which one eats with coffee or hot chocolate. In addition, meats are a big part of meals. I must admit I am a sucker for flour tortillas, which would be considered white bread, and should be eaten occasionally.

I know my risk for heart disease will increase once I am in my older years, but I want to focus on what I can do now to lower my risk and live a healthier life.

Blog 9: Exercise and Diet

My biggest challenge for exercise is time, since I have to fit it with my school, work, and even personal schedule. I know the importance of exercise and the benefits such as being health, reducing certain health risks, and overall physical appearance. I have made several attempts to make exercise as a part of my life, but I must admit that I tend to stop and pick it up. It has been like that since I started college. When I was living on campus I started going to the gym because I saw that I had gained some unwanted weight. However, once I moved back home I stopped the exercise. The odd thing I noticed was that at home I did not gain weight; in fact I went back to my normal weight.

I know when I lived in the dorms I would eat a lot of junk food, which was because of boredom and anxiety. At home my mom cooks home cooked meals and she watches what she cooks because my dad has high cholesterol. I admit I love sweets, which include chocolate, candy, and chips. It is a weakness I have had since I was little, says my mom. I also do not like vegetables or certain foods that I know are good for me. The only way I eat peas and green beans if my mom makes it with rice. I do not like thick meats, I prefer chicken. However, I tend to get bored of foods quickly and sometimes I am hungry but nothing sparks interest.

At work I only get a 30 minute lunch break; so I usually get fast food and when I do remember to take my lunch it is Roman Noodles and crackers. I never eat breakfast because I am always in a hurry and I cannot make myself wake up early enough to eat a good breakfast. On Fridays and Saturdays I would say I eat only twice or once a day since I am at work from 8:45am-6pm and 8:45-am3pm since my work only gives us 30 minutes of lunch break or sometime none at all on Saturdays.

I am trying to eat more fruits and vegetables that I do like. I do not feel that I over eat because I get full rather quickly, but then get hungry about 3 hours later. I need to find a source of calcium that does not make me sick. When I started living on campus I stopped consuming milk and now my body has not accepted it. I get really bad stomach aches, flatulence, and diarrhea when I drink milk, eat yogurts, cheese, etc. I use to love milk, but now I hate it; however I do love cheese and yogurts. I tried the lactaid pills, but they make me sick. I get a burn bellow my xyphoid process, chills, nausea, and I have thrown up before. I completely stopped taking them.

I have actually picked up exercising again. I try to walk my dog more often and have joined a gym. I am trying to stay on top of my assignments so I can make time to go to the gym. However, I am not too fond of the gym price. Although, I prefer the gym because weather is a barrier for me, If it is too cold or hot I will not go run.

Blog: Excited About Menopause?

What can be done to change societal images of menopause, aging and older women?

I think there are several items that need to be addressed in order to change the perception of menopause. My mother was suggested to have a hysterectomy because of health issue. However, she did not go through with it because she said she would not feel like a “woman” any more. I asked her what she meant by that because it did not make any sense to me since she had her tubes removed and she could have children any way. I asked her why it was such a big deal, but all she said is that she would not feel like a woman.

Now that I learned about menopause, I can understand that by having a hysterectomy this would cause her to go through menopause at an earlier age. This would bring about changes in her body, which I do not think she knows about. All she knew was that she would not have her menstrual cycle anymore. I do not understand why she still wants to have one.

It is not a surprise to me that culture has an effect on how menopause is viewed. In cultures where it is important to have a child or children; one is seen as a woman because you are able to give birth. Those women who reach an age are simply seen as old women. For instance, I have an aunt who is about 35, and is the only one who has never been married nor has had a child. Right now she is rushing to get married because she said she wants to have at least one child before she “gets old”. I have also heard my other aunts even my mom pressure her about having a child and tell her things like she isn’t getting any younger.

Society and media depict young women as being beautiful and as if older women are not. All the celebrities are having procedures and buying creams to stay young. I guess menopause is depicted to be like a punch in the face telling you “hey you’re old”. By society acknowledging menopause as normal and a part of life may decrease its negative notoriety . Also educating women about menopause can help ease one’s self. It is easier for one to deal with things if one knows what to expect and knows how to deal with it.