Blog 14-What are some possible strategies for women to use in finding balance in their professional, educational and personal lives?

It is a blessing to be a woman because I believe we are created to manage and multi-task throughout life whether it is school, work or kids.  I don't believe I have a specific strategy, as of now, I'm a single mom of 3, working full time, and school full time.  One of my children has ADHD and the youngest suffering from asthma.  It is all about a schedule that naturally happens as additional tasks come along in life.  You learn to adapt and find your own routine that best coincide with your schedule.  It also requires a back up plan and a just in case plan.  A back up plan is when you have absolutely no way of picking up the kids, you are sick and you are low on gas and have to find family or friends who are willing to step in and play a temporary mom (or dad).  A just in case plan is when you are functioning but happen to be running a little late, that is when neighbours and friends come through.  Their are many times I'm running late in the morning and my neighbour will pass by, honks and asks if he can take my kids to school with his daughter for me.  Or if you are running behind due to a meeting or stuck in traffic, that is when you can reach out to another parent or neighbour and have children picked up.

 

It is easy to advise but it is hard to follow if you do not know the situation or the requirements of that adult and lifestyle.  How demanding is the job or school? How many kids are their? Young or old? Sick or healthy? Sports? Day to day issues?  All these are factors on how and if you can manage yourself.  The best advice is networking around, building a relationship with your neighbours, and being prepared for the worst.  Multitasking is a special skill that is mastered over years of practice.  I believe it prepares us for our careers where multitasking is defiantly the key.

 

Dana Anderson

End of semester reflection- Of the topics and information that we have covered this semester in the course, what has been the most impactful or interesting?

During this semester, it has amazed me about all the different views and thoughts we have.  It shows, how coming from different parts of the world,  different cultures,  different up bringing and values can take part on our decisions and actions that we take pertaining to our health.  I personally have never blogged before about anything and this has been truly a genuine experience for me.  To openly speak about our own opinions and thoughts on things allows to educate others or think outside the box they may have been used to being in.  I believed I have enjoyed the STD post where if we decided being promiscuous is a class thing or not.  It was interesting to know how the age difference or current marital status for example made a difference on how we answered some questions.  History and experience of certain things in life does allow you to understand and appreciate the value of health.  I know since I have become a health major that I have been exposed to so much information that has allowed me to question myself twice about all decisions I make.  It has been a true pleasure to all who have read my blogs through the semester and thank each and everyone that has corresponded their thoughts. 

Is it a sign of personal weakness or strength for a woman to admit that she has a problem with alcohol or drugs?

I believe it is strength for woman to admit she had a  problem with alcohol or drugs.  Most woman are stronger when it comes to control and admitting to issues they may have had.  I personally used to smoke cigarettes and marijuana in my younger days and although I consumed a lot, I never believe I had a problem.  However, after I re-evaluate my history, I believe I did have a problem, just didn't know I did at the time.  My control or quitting came when I got pregnant with my first child at 19, it was a wake up call to change my life.  Although I was pretty young when I got pregnant, I still thank God for my daughter everyday, because I do not know where I would be today if she was born.  The reason I give my daughter the credit is due to her changing me from a young immature girl to a changed wiser woman.  I had responsibilities and it was mine to take care of. Alcohol has never been an issue for me since I do not drink, but smoking was always my key when I was depressed, angry or simply sad and so I had to find other avenues to release these stresses.  I have not smoked marijuana since, however, for many years and went back and fourth with smoking but happy to report that I no longer smoke cigarettes and it has been such a beautiful release of such an ugly habit.

Dana Anderson

What can be done to reduce the stigma and shame that still surround mental illness?

Stigma and shame can all be reduced by how we portray it with our own families and friends.  Fear is contagious and when people fear the unknown, they tend to react in ways that are not expected or choose to speak badly about it because they don't know any better.  I believe it is important that as a society we should advocate for the illness and really educate people all over.  We should also part blame the media and what they portray in movies, shows and news because most of the general public watch TV or know someone that does and will report a mental illness story as a joke or undermine the reality about the illness.  Mental illness is not viewed as a "regular human illness", it is however looked at in a derogatory way because it is more visible to others.  We do not walk around with a sign saying, I have cancer, heart disease, or lupus but mental disease is visible, we can see it, hear it or feel it.  It hurts to know that we still live in a society that views illness in such a way but again it is all due to lack of knowledge and lack of education through our school systems and media.  I hope as health educators we can start making a difference in reducing stigmas and shame when it comes to human health.

Dana Anderson

If everyone lived "with our future in mind", do you think that we would live differently? (different habits, behaviors, etc)

I believe our intentions is always to live better and healthier than our parents and their parents did.  Most of us try to instill in our children minds the good and trying to do better than how we lived.  Either way, we can never predict the future because life has a way of throwing us a few curve balls here and there.  We can only hope for the best and live life to the fullest and assume everyday is our last.  A better lifestyle is always in mind if the mind is fully ready to handle the responsibilities it takes to do so.  It takes courage, dedication and faith to follow our goals.   Difference is a change, and it is a challenge for some to change or stick through a process of change.  Health seems to be a factor for many when it comes to change because of the habits that make us feel good or taste good.  Although I come from an array of chronic diseases in my family, I still find myself choosing to continue in the lifestyle that I was raised even when I know the consequences.  I cannot control my past but I can with my future and so"with my future in mind" I will choose to make better choices.

Dana Anderson

Is heart disease common in your family? What are some of the environmental, physical, cultural, socioeconomical, and educational factors that impact the prevalence of this disease?

Heart disease in my family is very prevalent and has been passed down from generation to generation.  Most of it is hereditary and other part is due to the nature of the foods we eat. If anyone has watched "My big fat Greek Wedding" that is my family.  Everyday and everywhere and every celebration involves food.  I mean we are talking about meat, meat and more meat with rice, yogurt, other side dishes, and alot of bread!!  We can really eat especially when family and visitors stop by.  For that reason, my Grandmother suffered from high cholesterol along with heart disease for years prior to her death.  With medication and proper diet, my grandmother lived to 86, pretty long life for such a devastating disease.  Now my mother and father suffer from the same issues with my mother suffering from high cholesterol (LDL) and high blood pressure.  My father has had 4 surgeries so far to place stents in just due to the blockage that keeps reoccurring over and in other places.  As you can see I do not have much to look forward to.  Not only do I have to worry about heart disease but also diabetes since both of my grandfathers had it. !!!  Back then people just enjoyed life and the culture with no worries but now things have changed.  My family has noticed the importance of exercise, diet and just maintaining good health.  I personally seem to be the only overweight member in my family, my other siblings are healthy and fit.  My mother constantly preaches to me about my weight and that I need to do whatever it takes to get healthy but it is difficult in this culture we live in especially in Texas where food is everywhere and with being a full time worker and full time student there is no opportunity to eat well all the time.  But I will vow to make a change soon because I do not want to end up depending on medications and living in poor health, so  I will be taking action with the new year...... wish me luck!

Dana Anderson

What are the biggest challenges to regular exercise and a healthy diet that you face? How are these challenges going to change for you over the next five years?

The biggest challenges to regular exercise is finding the time!!!! For example, I work 8-5 but prior to my day, I have to get 3 kiddos ready with one under the age of 1, which includes bottles, milk etc..., I have to drop them at school and then I have go drop the baby at the daycare.  After work, I have to go pick up the baby from daycare followed by another daycare to get the older kids, go home, cook dinner, do homework with kids, give baths and getting ready for the following day.  As you can see it is very exhausting and there is no time for me at all.  But it is all temporary.  The kids do get older and more independent where I will be able to change in the upcoming 5 years.  I can see myself improving my stress and including exercise in my daily life as the kids get older.  I will have the spare time with no excuses of why I cannot include that regimen in my life.  Most adults complain there is no time and that is very true.  Times have changed where the majority of family members have two working households.  Exercise is important and my non activity is affecting my self esteem, weight, and most importantly my health.  I hope change is near because I truly want to start and need all the support to make a change for my family and for my self.

Dana Anderson

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

We have to embrace aging in society through Internet, TV, and Magazines due to our tech savvy world.  It is important that we provide images of beauty in each phase of our life so it can be accepted everywhere and woman don't have to take extreme measures to feel accepted because of their age or aging bodies.  We have been created to go through the changes for a reason, it is how are bodies are designed.  I truly blame the media and most families for leading society today to a multi-billion industry in trying to keep us young.  Images we see are not necessarily the same when we look at our reflection in the mirror.  Women will dye their hair, botox their wrinkles and sliced and suctioned all over just to keep up with the "new, young, and hip society".  Why are we so obsessed with looking so young?  I believe it is all due to how we are raised and the images that our mothers portrayed to us of themselves.  I always make sure that I let my daughter know that she is beautiful the way she is.  With all her curves and kinks, she is a beautiful young girl and I also walk around very secure in my own body and educate my daughter it is all about remaining healthy, not young.  In regards to menopause, we have to look at the word itself and pause for a time in our life to discuss the changes a woman goes through so as these changes come, we can embrace each stage with knowledge of what is going in our bodies and why these changes are happening. We are now slowly starting to see programs and shows that discuss all these health factors to woman, so that as a society we can understand what our mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandma's are going through.  Education is simply the key to all things in life and I believe it is up to our doctors and health advisers to inform us on what is to come in life like menopause. Discuss it amongst family and friends as we do pregnancies.  It is truly a shame on how the Western culture views it's woman, because in most cultures, the older a woman are more she respected ,admired and protected.  We have to learn how to love ourselves and embrace our changes, otherwise the divide between the young and old will continue to grow apart along with our views of each other.

Many people equate STDs with immorality, promiscuous behavior and low social status. What are you thoughts on this statement?

It is a social stigma for people to relate STD's to someone being promiscuous, fast or from a low class social status which is absolutely not the case.  Many STD cases also come from very well educated, financially stable, married and single people.  It all boils down to how well we take care of ourselves and the choices we make in our sexual lives. Some partners may not have that choice as I watched the video about the "Silent Partner in a Marriage" the woman where married and only slept with their husbands, however, the case was not the same when it came to there husbands where they slept around and eventually passed HIV and many other STD's to their wives.  The men never cared to protect themselves or their wives due to their selfishness and accepted cultural behaviors.  It disgusted me how till this day in many countries, woman are treated as second citizens to men and have no say about there life, goals, beliefs, or even a choice to say no. Men and woman today all around the world are thinking twice before having sex without a condom, but it does not necessary indicate they will use one.  As much as we would like to place faith in our spouses or partners, it is very important that we must get checked yearly for any problems to help protect ourselves and others and making sure we are educated as soon as possible.  Women can have their well exams yearly and for men yearly physicals to ensure that no problems are present in that department.  We should not point fingers at where an STD came from because we can't, just remember that an STD does not discriminate.  It can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere.

Dana Anderson

In what ways could someone's culture, beliefs and practices influence contraceptive decision making? Provide thorough examples based on some of your readings and your own personal experiences. What were the beliefs about birth control/contraception within your own home and family?

Many cultures and religions don't believe in any form of contraceptive methods since they believe it goes against Gods wishes and also being culturally wrong .  In the Middle Eastern culture, some of the "old school" wives did not practice any method of birth control, leaving many of our parents with several siblings.  For example, my father has 8 brothers and sisters and my mother has 7 brothers and sisters, which is really unheard of nowadays.  It was how over the years and generation after generation, it was passed on how a woman must bring so many children to help in work and support of family.  My mother, who is Middle Eastern, did not choose to go into the same path as her ancestors did and used birth control.  Although she had 4 kids, it was by choice and controlled of when she wanted to have them. 

There are some woman in our culture that still do not believe in birth control because the majority of them are usually poor, under or uneducated, married off at a young age and not realize what choices they may have. Most of these where due to cultural reasons, and others come from the religious aspect of things, for example the Middle Eastern Catholics.  Many Middle Eastern Catholics are very much against birth control and any form of abortion.  They feel it goes against God and the reason we are here on earth, which is to multiply. No matter what culture and religion one may be, in the end its really a woman's choice.  It should be up to us if we decide to go through a pregnancy or to prevent one from happening. Times have changed and I hope women around the world are given that opportunity to choose as we have here in the U.S.

Dana Anderson

Imagine a parent of a pre-teen who is about to have "The Talk" with him/her. Please write the scenario (where/when/how) the talk would take place and exactly what the parent should say. Include any resources the parent might recommend to the pre-teen, or questions (and their answers) the parent should anticipate

As a mother of an 11 year old little girl who is very well developed has been faced with that challenge of how to address such a sensitive topic with my daughter.  I was not worried about telling her, but I was concerned on how to tell her and how much to share with her.  Is there a limit on how much you should share with your daughter?  I believe in this fast sex crazed country we live in, one should talk about everything related to sex as early as you can because if you don't then you are taking a chance of them obtaining that information from an unreliable source such as friends, magazines, movies, etc....  Since my daughter was pretty developed, I had started that talk with her at the age of 10!  She is very smart and very conservative on her own, I can't see already that will not condone in such behavior because how much she values God in her life.  Although I respect her for that, I know she is still human and hormones will be raging pretty soon so it is very important that she is very educated so if she is ever placed in that predicament, I would hope she chooses the right choice.  I personally have used the bible as a source of why premarital sex is against Gods wishes also other sources such as http://www.4parents.gov/ and www.webmd.com/sex-relationships where it provides the educational and medical aspect of things when discussing the "sex talk".  Just remember to never underestimate what kids know, you will be surprised what they already know.  Be an advocate of health within your own family to set a great example to others that might relate one day.

Dana Anderson

How can we encourage adolescents to follow healthy behaviors? Any ideas for parents, healthcare providers, health educators, media, society, etc?

Encouraging adolescents to follow healthy behaviors can be very challenging, especially in the new advanced world we live in today.  It all points out to how and what our values, cultures and beliefs may be when it comes to health and the health of others.  Health behaviors may be attained from seeing it in everyday life but may not necessary lead in the right path.  We have to look at what are adolescents reaching out to and work through that path.  Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, cell phones, emails, can all lead to our adolescents.  Why not use these tools to encourage?  If they don't seek the information, then lets find a way to send it to them.  We can also lead by example, we all heard the phrase "practice what you preach" and that is exactly what needs to be done to encourage not our adolescents. Networking through adolescent organizations and possibly marketing it using everyday stars like Justin Beiber, Hannah Montana, and even cartoons like Sponge Bob square pants can all assist in delivering the message in an undercover way.  Education comes in all shapes and sizes and if we do not learn to adapt with these constant learning curves may be, we might find ourselves with a terrible health conscious future.  Encouraging is part of believing and you must believe in what you are selling.  Markets today hire the best of the best to research and target our adolescents about any product they want to sell to increase their profits, why not do the same by putting our heads together as health educators and reaching a goal to target adolescents on how important health is today.

Dana Anderson

What are your feelings about the present state of health care in the US? Why?

My current feelings on health care in the US are embarrassingly poor.  We are a nation of seekers and providers, a nation with so much success that people die trying to cross our borders yet we fail to provide simple avid health care to its people.  Europe and the Middle east are a few places that offer FREE health care to it's people. Health is not a luxury, it is a lifetime commodity and needs to be maintained constantly otherwise it will fail.  I never understood why the government cannot justify the uses of our tax dollars towards this very much needed service to our nation.  The US is very blessed with the latest technologies and education in science and health care that as a nation we should be ashamed that we are not taking advantage of these services. Change is desperately needed in our health care options and although President Obama has started that change, it not close enough to what other nations have.  I hope to see one day that no stipulations are placed on peoples lives in the US.

What health issues you are most concerned about? Why

I decided to question two women in regards to their views on health issues and this is what they had to say:

Marilyn is 57 and comes from a middle eastern background where she has shared with me that the most health issues is diabetes.  Diabetes is very prominent in our culture and especially within my family.  She believes the reason is due to the heavy sweet diet she was raised in along with lack of knowledge on being healthy conscious since medical checks were not as necessary back in the days.

Ashley is 25 and is African American and when asked what was important to her when it came to health issues is and she stated "obesity".  In her family history, she believe it is a generational curse for all the women to be severely obese and it concerns her since she fights a daily battle to maintain her weight.  Ashley refuses to become a victim of her family's past that has been passed year after year.

As you can see health concerns varies depending on that woman's particular culture, background, age and personal concerns.  A very strong and sensitive subject to all women around the world.