Blog #14 Sexual Assault

Women are seen as the weaker gender by most people, even women themselves. Women are attacked and assaulted in America more often than men. “Women and girls up to 12 years of age, annually reported about 500,000 rapes and sexual assault, almost 500,000 robberies, and about 3.8 million assaults” (Vision Website, 2007). I have not seen the statistics but I have heard many times that sexual and physical assaults are generally committed by a person the victim knows. Most statistics do not even account for the women and girls who do not report assaults. Some women are afraid they will be judged for reporting. People will think they were asking for it or they are being weak as usual. I believe this is the fear of women and why many assaults go unreported.

Ways to reduce assaults:

• Women should be aware of their surroundings (ex. do not be in a place in which you are unfamiliar, unless accompanied by other people).
• Stay in lit areas
• walk in groups
• lock house and cars, have keys ready to get into both as well
• be prepared wherever you go, have a plan
• carry a cell phone, if possible
• have someone know where you are at all time, in case you are late or missing, they will know where you are
• be weary of strangers

References

www.http://soundvision/info/misc/wvastst.asp 2007

Blog #13 Weakness/ Strength in Women

My personal belief is a women is not weak is she admits to having an alcohol or drug problem. I do however believe that many women who have such problems feel weak and inferior for seeking help or admitting to their problems. I can see women thinking they need to be strong and take care of their families. Maybe because of these fears they may not want to seek the help they desperately need. I know many women personally that have both alcohol and drug problems. From my personal experience I can see it is harder to diagnose women with alcohol or drug problems than in men. They usually hide their problems well until they hit rock bottom.

I believe it takes a great deal of strength for anyone to admit they have trouble with alcohol or drugs. After admitting to the problem you have to then seek help which can prove to be even more difficult. I feel society has put this pressure on women to be stronger now because if not they are as weak as men perceive them to be anyways. One guy told me one time, “You need to be strong, especially if you want the same rights as men!” Can you believe that? I was shocked; needless to say I do not speak to that particular person anymore. I feel betrayed and saddened that this is the world I live in. A world in which a woman, or even a man for that matter, cannot ask for help without feeling like everyone will judge them. Some people are great and are not judgmental, but for the most part people are waiting for you to slip and mess up. Just because women admit they have a problem does not mean they are claiming weakness!

Blog #12 Eating Disorders

Dealing with eating disorders can be a complicated and hard issue to face for anyone. It can prove to be rather difficult in confronting people especially when you yourself do not have an eating disorder. If I suspected friend had an eating disorder I would first remember the problem does not necessarily revolve around food itself. The problem is usually emotional or stress issues caused by various environmental issues. Usually the person has issues with control.

• First off I would learn everything there is to know about eating disorders. Most people know bits and pieces of information but not full details
• I would let the person know I care for them and encourage them to get help
• I would back off if they started to get irritated, but not too far
• I would not tell them they have a problem but encourage them to find out if everything is okay
• I would not blame them or accuse them of anything
• I would make sure to not be judgmental and make the issue private
• I would avoid saying “just eat” or “don’t throw up”
• Support is one of the most important things, they might be angry at first but eventually they will see you are there to help

Blog #11 Living with your Future in mind

I believe that if people lived “with their future in mind”, they would exhibit extremely different habits and behaviors. Most people try and think about what their health future encompasses but it usually is not enough for them to quit their unhealthy behaviors. For instance a person who smokes knows that it is unhealthy and can cause further problems in the future but they still continue to smoke anyways. Another example is a person that is at risk for overweight or obesity. These people will most likely eat unhealthy food including junk food and fast food. Most of their food decisions will be unhealthy choices. They will also almost certainly not work out the proper amount they are supposed to be exercising.

Most men I know are afraid or worried about going to the doctor. Even for the smallest things. My boyfriend does not want to make an appointment even for a cold that he can not get rid of for a month, let alone see a physician for his regular prostate check up. Many men I know are “freaked-out” about getting their prostate checkups when the time comes. It is not always fear of the physician but mostly they are too proud to seek help for problems. I believe that this is why men typically pass away approximately seven years before women.

Even though most people live with their futures in mind they still will not change the harmful habits they have. I believe that if people would actually consider their future and act on it health wise then less people would be seeking medical help for illnesses such as cardiovascular problems, obesity, diabetes, etc.

Blog #10 Preventative Measures

Some preventative measures that I have set in motion for myself are simply. I do not exercise as much as I should but when I do I make sure and work out my cardiovascular system. The best way to work this system out is to use a trend mill, run, walk, jog, etc. These exercises work out the cardiovascular muscles and help to reduce many illnesses. Living a sedentary lifestyle cause a person to have a low physical activity and leads to cardiovascular disease. Being overweight is usually a problem when women do not exercise properly. Overweight and obesity can even cause more issues with cardiovascular disease. Eating properly can also persuade the risk for the disease. Certain fatty foods can eventually cause a build up in the arteries and cause high blood pressure and problems with cholesterol. Smoking cigarettes can also heighten the risk for cardiovascular diseases. One thing that women should be concerned with is their age. It is best to start working on your cardiovascular system as early as possible. As women get older the risk for cardiovascular elevates. Especially for women that have already reached menopause. They should also pay close attention to personal family history as far as genetic cardiovascular troubles. Race also plays an important role. Certain races are at a higher risk. Diabetes, which also is genetic, can influence the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Blog #9 Regular Exercise Schedule

The biggest challenge for my exercise schedule and habits is my daily schedule itself. I realize that this sounds funny but my life, just as many women I know, is very hectic. Not only do I have a full-time student but I work a full time job as well. At my job I coordinate and run a coffee/ice cream bar. For the most part I have a relatively easy job, but it also includes extremely demanding responsibilities. I stress over work just as much as I worry about my school work. I have worked with the same company for 6 years and take my job seriously. I do get some moderate exercise at work which includes, lifting, brisk walking, moving frequently, etc. I usually walk about 3-4 miles just at work in one day. Besides work and school, I have a son and a boyfriend that demand my time as well. I enjoy both dearly and love my social life, but this also includes daily work. I clean, cook and wash for the majority of the time. I do have help from my boyfriend and family, but I usually like to do most of the work myself. I feel that if I do something then I know that it is done the way that I like it to be done (or expect it to be done).

With all that said I find it hard to find the extra time to join a gym or even do small exercises at home. The small amount of time I have, besides cleaning, cooking, doing school work, going to school (I drive 50 minutes there and back), working, washing, social life, etc, I like to spend my free time with my son, boyfriend and family members. I often feel bad about not getting the proper exercise. At the same time I do realize that with a young child and moderate working conditions, I do get enough exercise that makes me happy.

In five years, I feel that things will be completely different. I should by that time have my degree and a 9-5 job. My son will also be older and in school himself. This should free more time for me to schedule in time to join a gym or do my own exercise at home. I am satisfied for the most part with the exercise that I receive today, but also realize that more would benefit me.

Blog #8 Getting Older

My feelings about getting older are not too different from most people I believe. Plenty of people are scared or afraid or aging. That’s not to say all people feel this way. My main concern is not the mental aging so much as the physical aging. Many women and men for that matter, in family seem to develop illnesses/diseases in late adulthood. As a result of these complications they usually live a short life. I suppose I’m worried about the idea of having illnesses when I get older. Even though my old age is quite a ways away, I’m afraid of developing them just as my family members have.

My grandmother (paternal) has lupus, diabetes and kidney failure. Her lupus causes all her joints to swell to the point that she is unable to do every day things. Diabetes makes her need to take insulin and causes her to have to monitor her blood sugar level extremely closely. When she was only 60 her kidneys start to breakdown. She now only has 10% use of kidneys. She has to go to dialysis 3 times a week. It takes a role on her body where she can hardly even stand after each treatment. Recently she was hospitalized because she acquired an infection in her blood. My mother also has lupus and diabetes. Most of the people in my family also struggle with overweight/obesity and high blood pressure.

On the other hand I am excited about aging. Even though I have been forced to age more quickly than normal due to life experiences, I am still young. I think the only way to learn is to live life to its fullest. As you age you learn new things and new experiences that only age can bring you. Now that I have my son, aging would mean that I can see him grow into his own person and develop his own life. I cannot wait to see him, walk, talk, go to school, graduate, get married, etc. That’s the one good thing I can see from aging.