bLoG #1: Health Concerns

As a woman my main concerns have been contraceptives and maintaining weight as I've grown up. In middle and high school I noticed many young females around me were getting sick and throwing blame on males for giving them an STD or something. With the same state of mind wouldn't you believe a female is more likely to want to protect herself from the numerous diseases and bacteria out there? I truly think contraceptives and sexual education should be publicized as much as sex and sexiness is on television, magazines, and movies. Weight is also a heavy issue because models and actors are forced to slim down or maintain weight in order to find jobs and make a living. Yet the media glorifies this as a necessity to younger generations and ultimately they young people think they need to underweight to be noticed. Then there is also the fact that America has an obese population and instead of fighting rights or changing habits it is easier to throw blame on the fast food industry. Most families have full time working parents or a parent that would rather pick up some fast food for their children then take the time to cook a nutritious balanced meal. ANd some parents rather buy their children games to play on television or computer then take them jogging or to paly a sport.

Personal interviews of women's concerns:

Susan G. (Caucasian, age 32, married mother and nurse): Reproductive health, there was a family history of miscarriages and still births. Susan herself had 2 miscarriages lives with irregular hormonal imbalances yet still tries for her third child.

Maria S. (Mexican American, age 29, single model/actress): Maintaining her weight, she was an obese child that blossomed into a thin woman but has a family history of obesity and heart disease. She was terrified of gaining any weight of fear fighting a disease and what men might think of her.

Jessica B. (African American, age 35, engaged mother): Health concerning high blood pressure and asthma. Afraid to get so sick she might pass out and leave her 2 yr old unattended. Sees a doctor regularly, currently on medication and has no family history of problems.

Jessika H. (Arabian, age 22, single college student): Maintaining weight and appearance. She grew up with a culture mandating people to eat a certain diet and females to cover up with no skin showing below their collarbone. Moved to a high school where children could wear, eat, and show almost whatever they wanted. Had trouble adjusting to what to eat to look like everyone else and still fails to eat healthy while in college with a busy work and school schedule.

Similarities: Weight and appearance issues based off society's perspectives.

Differences: Problem importance as I interviewed all four women I noticed Maria and Jessika keep mentioning the phrase "well because what would others think" and didn't hear that from the older stable women. Susan and Jessica thought more of their future and what they could do to make it pleasant.