Reflective Diary week 2- Women's Amazing Bodies: How they work, and what happens when they don't
One particular topic in this week’s lecture that really grabbed my attention was what it means to be ‘ladylike’. I never truly realised how constricting this term was until we discussed it in the lecture and further in the tutorial. Google defines ‘ladylike’ as “appropriate for or typical of a well-bred, decorous woman or girl” meaning something along the lines of being well-mannered and well-behaved. This is how I too viewed what being ‘ladylike’ is however it dives far deeper than that. Being ‘ladylike’ isn’t just showing manners and being polite, it comes with a number of expectations woman are supposed to uphold some of which are quite hypocritical and define bodily functions that should be okay for either both genders of neither. Bodily functions I’m talking about include burping and farting. It really does astound me that we’ve built this idea that woman do not fart/are not supposed to fart and if they do it’s very ‘un-ladylike’. People have the impression that burping and farting is a ‘guy’s thing’ when really, it’s just a bodily function?
I really enjoyed this lecture and being in an environment where we all embrace how amazing the woman’s body truly is. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this unit considering I had chosen it as an elective however I’m really pleased with the knowledge I walked away with each lecture/ tutorial so far. Knowledge such as the impact both gender and sex have on a persons health and as an aspiring public health professional I think it’s really important to shed more light on this. This lecture in particular was very thought provoking with what it really means to be ‘ladylike’ and the constrictions it comes with.
I also learnt more about what feminism really is and I did expect that and was eager to learn more on that coming into this unit. Due to how feminism is now in a lot of cases represented through social media (Watch the video “Feminism 2017” link next to it), I did have a perception that feminism is too much and that these woman are going too far. I never really thought of going back and looking at the history of feminism and the rights woman like the suffragettes fought for and the impact they had on society.
Week 3- Women in Popular Culture, Advertising, and the Media – Implications for Social Inequalities and Women's Health
I think it’s so interesting to look back in history and see the different ideal body types there were. It’s great (to some extent) to think that there is not just one ideal body type as it can vary depending on culture. Having the ideal body type stretches far deeper than what looks pleasing. For example, in many countries located in Africa for instance, being thick is the ideal and popular type there is as it is associated with wealth. I think it’s quite sad that there is such a huge expectation to live up to a specific ideal body type. A lot of people, specifically young woman don’t realise that the body type they have is probably being celebrated elsewhere and that there is no real ideal body type!
Western media is always bombarding us with this Ideal body type. It’s everywhere from mannequins, billboards, in stores and so on and I have noticed this. Personally, I’ve never really thought twice of this but I’ve never actually realised how significant having the ideal body type was and the problems it causes. In Asia for instance, there is this huge focus on being thin and it’s publicised everywhere that eating disorders in Asian woman specifically are on the rise.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand how human anatomy became a trend. I feel like the silliest things become trends. We haven’t chosen our anatomy and although it is up to you to change your anatomy, people are often influenced (not always) by that “ideal” body type. I recently read this article about boobs being back in fashion and from the moment I read the first sentence ‘Stand up straight, push out your chest and work that feminine charm, as bountiful boobs are back in style’ I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. A particular body type is raised to one level while the other or should I say OTHERS are degraded. I understand that we are in some ways improving but 2017, I don’t think we should still be at this stage.
Week 4- The ‘Right’ Time to Have a Child: Changes in Reproductive Trends and Outcomes for Women
The evolution of the pill was so significant not only in the sense that woman now had this control over whether they want a child but it revolutionised sex from purely being a form of reproduction to simply a means of physical pleasure or expression of love without the thought of children in the equation. This pill empowered so many women across the globe in particular where abortion is illegal. Woman don’t have to take on that risk and go to private clinics and abort as they now have this pill. College and University dropout rates decreased and graduation rates increased which I think is so fantastic! It’s pretty crazy how this pill could have such a huge impact in society and for woman.
I found this article that drew my attention and though it dates back to 2011, I had a read of it. One thing that really baffles me is how invested people are when it comes to abortion. To me I would’ve thought that with this pill, the people that are prolife would think, okay there’s really no harm... they’re not aborting anything that’s in existence yet but no, I was wrong. It’s as though sex is purely perceived as a reproduction process and nothing else and doing otherwise is wrong?
I think one thing that really opened my mind in this lecture and tutorial is the pressure woman face in not only parenthood and abortion but also the pressures of breastfeeding. Whatever you do, you’ll always be viewed in one way and we’re so social constrained it’s ridiculous! I come from a Somali Background and I know in my culture breastfeeding is huge, it shows a mothers strength and not being able to breastfeed makes you look weak. I know this reflects a lack of education but I feel like if you grow up thinking this way, you carry it with you years to come. Our family grew up in New Zealand so there’s less social constraint but despite that I know my mum was so set on breastfeeding more so then using formula not because she enjoyed it but because of that hidden pressure, that mentality she’s carried with her.
This way of thinking in my culture and so many others also occurs with marriage and when to have a child. There really is a set age limit and if you’re not married and producing offspring by the age of 26 then it’s kind of an embarrassment to you and your family name. I think it’s so interesting though to see how times have changed and how you could get away with delayed motherhood now compared to 60 years ago however I’m not sure that is still the case in my culture.
Week 5- Changing Gender Roles in Families: Paid Work, House Work, and Child-Raising.
I never really think twice about how things are structured until it’s pointed out. In my family it’s very much “traditional”. Dad works and mum looks after the kids. No one complains and that’s what works really well for our family. What’s really interesting however is how we adapt these roles without really being told to. If I’m home with my brother and we need to tidy and clean up I’ll generally go to the dishes and he’ll go to the trash, collect it and take it out and once again I didn’t realise this until it was pointed out in today’s lecture!
An article appeared on my facebook newsfeed and it’s so fascinating to me to think how this child will be when they’re grown and the decisions they’ll make knowing that they have not been structured. http://www.rebelcircus.com/blog/meet-gender-fluid-family-mom-dad-dad-mom/
Gender Fluid Family
One thing I’m also quite surprised with is how far people take gender roles in society. Woman get paid more than men in roles such as child care but they get paid less in roles such as barristers. I think these pay gaps are so important not only because it’s the fair thing to do but because it represents gender traits in one way and the other in another. By women getting paid more in childcare then men it’s to say men are not as nurturing and by woman getting paid less as barristers it’s as though to say they’re not as good in decision making. This is how I view low pay work and maybe I’m wrong but I can’t think of any other reason as to why one particular sex gets a higher pay then the other when they’re doing the exact same thing.
Week 6-‘Walking into Doors’ Woman and Domestic Violence
I think it’s so interesting how certain different cultures view domestic violence and the fact that some cultures don’t even acknowledge domestic violence or are not really aware of it because it’s so embedded into their culture that it has become a norm. I have always been aware of this, not because of any personal experience but just as general knowledge because it is expected. Different cultures, countries and social groups have different values and beliefs that may not fit another group’s values and beliefs. In saying this, one thing I did not expect or had really deeply thought about is Domestic violence here in Australia. I feel as though it’s much more difficult to address this issue here in Australia because of the diversity of this nation in comparison to say another country where there is just one cultural group and almost everyone views one thing the same way. In Australia however, because of the huge diversity in different cultural groups there are of course conflicting views and to address the Issue of Domestic Violence it would need to be viewed in multiple different ways. I genuinely never realised this or thought of it from this perspective.
Week 7-Women who Love Other Women: The Social Treatment of Lesbians and the Consequences for Health
Woman’s health in same-sex relationships was discussed today in the lecture and tutorial. I would never have thought that being in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship would affect your health as much as it does. I think it’s important to note that health is broader then just physical health and years later I’m still wrapping my head around this. The health implications Lesbians face include poor mental health, heavy alcohol consumption and heavy cigarette use. Honestly it makes so much more sense to me now than it did before as everything links up and correlates to one another. There is no doubt about it that feeling like an outsider and being ridiculed on your sexuality when have such a negative impact on your mental health and of course for many people alcohol is a way out of problems, an escape route so makes sense that there would be a higher consumption rates among homosexuals.
Week 8- Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Women Across the Ages
I think nowadays substance abuse is treated so differently in woman compared to men. People have the mentality that only men face substance abuse so when they do address the issue it’s often directed and tailored towards men specifically. For most age groups, men have higher rates then woman do on the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. I thought this was generally always the case so it was so fascinating to learn how the 1950’s-1960’s housewife would self-meditate with illicit drugs. I can see exactly why they would result to these self meditations because of the stress the typical house wife would go through.
Week 9-Fashion, Body Image, and Women's Health
It’s fascinating to think that with time new trends can emerge or certain human anatomy can suddenly become popularised and so on. With eating disorders, the severity of this mental and physical illnesses has grown so much so that it’s a norm in Australian society with 90% of 12-17 year old girls having been on a diet of some type. It’s fair to say that in this day and age, social media has played a detrimental part in this. Platforms such as Instagram encouraging eating disorders because of the particular body types that are promoted. I think it’s so sad that girls fall for the perception famous Instagram models give off when in reality (not always) it’s just angles or they’ve had certain parts of their bodies altered.
Personally, I’ve struggled with body image and so it’s easier said than done coming to terms with your body type and expressing your body type. Not everyone can do it easily and those that do are often ridiculed online.
Week 10-The Health of Australian Indigenous Women: What are the Key Challenges?
There was one section of this week’s lecture in particular that really stood out to me and that was mum’s and bub’s. This lecture to me really outlined the significance of antenatal care among aboriginal woman. Babies born to indigenous mothers have a birth weight of 190grams less than those born to non-indigenous mothers. These are because of factors such as alcohol consumption, socioeconomic disadvantages, smoking and so on. These factors can be addressed and tackled, some more so then others of course but I feel as though more needs to be done. Young mothers need to be more educated on their health and the health of their bub’s. I think it’s so great that Indigenous women have access to antenatal care because it does contribute to closing the gap for aboriginal women. Going back to indigenous history and the historical factors that have influenced the social determinants of their health, it’s difficult to bring forth ideas and solutions to people from different cultures that have their own views and past experiences that have influenced their views today.
Reflective Diary week 2- Women's Amazing Bodies: How they work, and what happens when they don't
One particular topic in this week’s lecture that really grabbed my attention was what it means to be ‘ladylike’. I never truly realised how constricting this term was until we discussed it in the lecture and further in the tutorial. Google defines ‘ladylike’ as “appropriate for or typical of a well-bred, decorous woman or girl” meaning something along the lines of being well-mannered and well-behaved. This is how I too viewed what being ‘ladylike’ is however it dives far deeper than that. Being ‘ladylike’ isn’t just showing manners and being polite, it comes with a number of expectations woman are supposed to uphold some of which are quite hypocritical and define bodily functions that should be okay for either both genders of neither. Bodily functions I’m talking about include burping and farting. It really does astound me that we’ve built this idea that woman do not fart/are not supposed to fart and if they do it’s very ‘un-ladylike’. People have the impression that burping and farting is a ‘guy’s thing’ when really, it’s just a bodily function?
I really enjoyed this lecture and being in an environment where we all embrace how amazing the woman’s body truly is. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this unit considering I had chosen it as an elective however I’m really pleased with the knowledge I walked away with each lecture/ tutorial so far. Knowledge such as the impact both gender and sex have on a persons health and as an aspiring public health professional I think it’s really important to shed more light on this. This lecture in particular was very thought provoking with what it really means to be ‘ladylike’ and the constrictions it comes with.
I also learnt more about what feminism really is and I did expect that and was eager to learn more on that coming into this unit. Due to how feminism is now in a lot of cases represented through social media (Watch the video “Feminism 2017” link next to it), I did have a perception that feminism is too much and that these woman are going too far. I never really thought of going back and looking at the history of feminism and the rights woman like the suffragettes fought for and the impact they had on society.
Week 3- Women in Popular Culture, Advertising, and the Media – Implications for Social Inequalities and Women's Health
I think it’s so interesting to look back in history and see the different ideal body types there were. It’s great (to some extent) to think that there is not just one ideal body type as it can vary depending on culture. Having the ideal body type stretches far deeper than what looks pleasing. For example, in many countries located in Africa for instance, being thick is the ideal and popular type there is as it is associated with wealth. I think it’s quite sad that there is such a huge expectation to live up to a specific ideal body type. A lot of people, specifically young woman don’t realise that the body type they have is probably being celebrated elsewhere and that there is no real ideal body type!
Western media is always bombarding us with this Ideal body type. It’s everywhere from mannequins, billboards, in stores and so on and I have noticed this. Personally, I’ve never really thought twice of this but I’ve never actually realised how significant having the ideal body type was and the problems it causes. In Asia for instance, there is this huge focus on being thin and it’s publicised everywhere that eating disorders in Asian woman specifically are on the rise.
I don’t think I’ll ever understand how human anatomy became a trend. I feel like the silliest things become trends. We haven’t chosen our anatomy and although it is up to you to change your anatomy, people are often influenced (not always) by that “ideal” body type. I recently read this article about boobs being back in fashion and from the moment I read the first sentence ‘Stand up straight, push out your chest and work that feminine charm, as bountiful boobs are back in style’ I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. A particular body type is raised to one level while the other or should I say OTHERS are degraded. I understand that we are in some ways improving but 2017, I don’t think we should still be at this stage.
http://nypost.com/2017/08/01/boobs-are-back-in-a-big-way/
Week 4- The ‘Right’ Time to Have a Child: Changes in Reproductive Trends and Outcomes for Women
The evolution of the pill was so significant not only in the sense that woman now had this control over whether they want a child but it revolutionised sex from purely being a form of reproduction to simply a means of physical pleasure or expression of love without the thought of children in the equation. This pill empowered so many women across the globe in particular where abortion is illegal. Woman don’t have to take on that risk and go to private clinics and abort as they now have this pill. College and University dropout rates decreased and graduation rates increased which I think is so fantastic! It’s pretty crazy how this pill could have such a huge impact in society and for woman.
https://thinkprogress.org/anti-abortion-groups-push-to-outlaw-contraceptives-by-redefining-personhood-b3a39e52e688/
I found this article that drew my attention and though it dates back to 2011, I had a read of it. One thing that really baffles me is how invested people are when it comes to abortion. To me I would’ve thought that with this pill, the people that are prolife would think, okay there’s really no harm... they’re not aborting anything that’s in existence yet but no, I was wrong. It’s as though sex is purely perceived as a reproduction process and nothing else and doing otherwise is wrong?
I think one thing that really opened my mind in this lecture and tutorial is the pressure woman face in not only parenthood and abortion but also the pressures of breastfeeding. Whatever you do, you’ll always be viewed in one way and we’re so social constrained it’s ridiculous! I come from a Somali Background and I know in my culture breastfeeding is huge, it shows a mothers strength and not being able to breastfeed makes you look weak. I know this reflects a lack of education but I feel like if you grow up thinking this way, you carry it with you years to come. Our family grew up in New Zealand so there’s less social constraint but despite that I know my mum was so set on breastfeeding more so then using formula not because she enjoyed it but because of that hidden pressure, that mentality she’s carried with her.
This way of thinking in my culture and so many others also occurs with marriage and when to have a child. There really is a set age limit and if you’re not married and producing offspring by the age of 26 then it’s kind of an embarrassment to you and your family name. I think it’s so interesting though to see how times have changed and how you could get away with delayed motherhood now compared to 60 years ago however I’m not sure that is still the case in my culture.
Week 5- Changing Gender Roles in Families: Paid Work, House Work, and Child-Raising.
I never really think twice about how things are structured until it’s pointed out. In my family it’s very much “traditional”. Dad works and mum looks after the kids. No one complains and that’s what works really well for our family. What’s really interesting however is how we adapt these roles without really being told to. If I’m home with my brother and we need to tidy and clean up I’ll generally go to the dishes and he’ll go to the trash, collect it and take it out and once again I didn’t realise this until it was pointed out in today’s lecture!
An article appeared on my facebook newsfeed and it’s so fascinating to me to think how this child will be when they’re grown and the decisions they’ll make knowing that they have not been structured.
http://www.rebelcircus.com/blog/meet-gender-fluid-family-mom-dad-dad-mom/
Gender Fluid Family
One thing I’m also quite surprised with is how far people take gender roles in society. Woman get paid more than men in roles such as child care but they get paid less in roles such as barristers. I think these pay gaps are so important not only because it’s the fair thing to do but because it represents gender traits in one way and the other in another. By women getting paid more in childcare then men it’s to say men are not as nurturing and by woman getting paid less as barristers it’s as though to say they’re not as good in decision making. This is how I view low pay work and maybe I’m wrong but I can’t think of any other reason as to why one particular sex gets a higher pay then the other when they’re doing the exact same thing.
Week 6-‘Walking into Doors’ Woman and Domestic Violence
I think it’s so interesting how certain different cultures view domestic violence and the fact that some cultures don’t even acknowledge domestic violence or are not really aware of it because it’s so embedded into their culture that it has become a norm. I have always been aware of this, not because of any personal experience but just as general knowledge because it is expected. Different cultures, countries and social groups have different values and beliefs that may not fit another group’s values and beliefs. In saying this, one thing I did not expect or had really deeply thought about is Domestic violence here in Australia. I feel as though it’s much more difficult to address this issue here in Australia because of the diversity of this nation in comparison to say another country where there is just one cultural group and almost everyone views one thing the same way. In Australia however, because of the huge diversity in different cultural groups there are of course conflicting views and to address the Issue of Domestic Violence it would need to be viewed in multiple different ways. I genuinely never realised this or thought of it from this perspective.
Week 7-Women who Love Other Women: The Social Treatment of Lesbians and the Consequences for Health
Woman’s health in same-sex relationships was discussed today in the lecture and tutorial. I would never have thought that being in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship would affect your health as much as it does. I think it’s important to note that health is broader then just physical health and years later I’m still wrapping my head around this. The health implications Lesbians face include poor mental health, heavy alcohol consumption and heavy cigarette use. Honestly it makes so much more sense to me now than it did before as everything links up and correlates to one another. There is no doubt about it that feeling like an outsider and being ridiculed on your sexuality when have such a negative impact on your mental health and of course for many people alcohol is a way out of problems, an escape route so makes sense that there would be a higher consumption rates among homosexuals.
Week 8- Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Women Across the Ages
I think nowadays substance abuse is treated so differently in woman compared to men. People have the mentality that only men face substance abuse so when they do address the issue it’s often directed and tailored towards men specifically. For most age groups, men have higher rates then woman do on the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. I thought this was generally always the case so it was so fascinating to learn how the 1950’s-1960’s housewife would self-meditate with illicit drugs. I can see exactly why they would result to these self meditations because of the stress the typical house wife would go through.
Week 9-Fashion, Body Image, and Women's Health
It’s fascinating to think that with time new trends can emerge or certain human anatomy can suddenly become popularised and so on. With eating disorders, the severity of this mental and physical illnesses has grown so much so that it’s a norm in Australian society with 90% of 12-17 year old girls having been on a diet of some type. It’s fair to say that in this day and age, social media has played a detrimental part in this. Platforms such as Instagram encouraging eating disorders because of the particular body types that are promoted. I think it’s so sad that girls fall for the perception famous Instagram models give off when in reality (not always) it’s just angles or they’ve had certain parts of their bodies altered.
Personally, I’ve struggled with body image and so it’s easier said than done coming to terms with your body type and expressing your body type. Not everyone can do it easily and those that do are often ridiculed online.
Week 10-The Health of Australian Indigenous Women: What are the Key Challenges?
There was one section of this week’s lecture in particular that really stood out to me and that was mum’s and bub’s. This lecture to me really outlined the significance of antenatal care among aboriginal woman. Babies born to indigenous mothers have a birth weight of 190grams less than those born to non-indigenous mothers. These are because of factors such as alcohol consumption, socioeconomic disadvantages, smoking and so on. These factors can be addressed and tackled, some more so then others of course but I feel as though more needs to be done. Young mothers need to be more educated on their health and the health of their bub’s. I think it’s so great that Indigenous women have access to antenatal care because it does contribute to closing the gap for aboriginal women. Going back to indigenous history and the historical factors that have influenced the social determinants of their health, it’s difficult to bring forth ideas and solutions to people from different cultures that have their own views and past experiences that have influenced their views today.