Sunday, August 29, 2010
Blog #1 HS3133
I am concerned about several women's health issues but the issue that is of greatest personal importance to me is healthy aging and maintaining personal productivity. Being 60 years old, single and having seen savings and retirement depleted by the economic downturn, it is doubly important that I remain healthy and able to be productive well into my "golden years". My concentration is on maintaining physical health (including the most effective treatment for osteoporosis, which I do have), strength and mental acuity, as well as life long learning and a love of trying new things and embarking on new projects and adventures. Healthy eating, physical and mental exercise and enjoying life each day (attitude!) play an important part in my plans for the future. I am definitely concerned about the availability of comprehensive health coverage for seniors as the recent healthcare legislation is implemented.
I spoke with two women, one 18 years old and one age 39. The 18 year old is an athlete and related that she is concerned with maintaining physical strength and further developing her athletic ability- she would like to make her sport her vocation, first as a player and later as a coach. She is also concerned with "looking good, having lots of energy and enjoying life and friends, including guys". She said that she is concerned about how pregnancy and motherhood might affect her athletic ability and if she will be able to continue playing if she marries and has a child. The 39 year old is a married mother of 3 really busy children, is involved in a lot of civic activities and she works part time. She related that her main health focus right now is dealing with fatigue due to her busy lifestyle and not getting enough rest, which often leads to migraine headaches. She also deals with some depression and is looking for remedies for both that do not involve taking drugs. Another concern for her is how health coverage for her family will be impacted by the recent healthcare legislation.
I have also become aware of another more global health issue that is of great concern to me - the very young age that a significant number of girls are becoming sexually active, some as young as 12 or 13. Aside from the obvious concerns of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, I am very concerned about their mental and emotional health as they enter into complicated relationships and encounters that they are not mature enough to negotiate without damage to self esteem and future ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. I don't think more sex education is the answer - I believe we need to address the reasons that children this young become sexually active, one of which is lack of self esteem and self respect.
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Jeri, I 100% agree with the last part of your blog on the young girls becoming sexually active at such a young age. I though that education seminars at local colleges and high schools would help, however I saw that you disagree. I blame a lot of the early sexual activity on MTV and other television programs. Not to mention movies, magazines and celebrities who flaunt their sexuality and promote "sex" as being not a big deal. It IS a big deal and teens just don't understand that. Unfortunately, MTV isn't going away anytime soon and neither are celebrities. I hope parents talk to their kids and really help them understand to not live by what they see on tv and in movies. Hopefully they are raised in good, Christian home with sound values and morals and won't be corrupted. I found this commentary that you may want to check out. www.heritage.org/Research/Commentary/2005/03/MTVs-poisoning-our-kids
ReplyDeleteJeri, your health concerns is something I think that every woman has thought about. Your part in the end really caught my attention about young girls becoming sexually active at very very young ages and I do feel that is that case also. I have a step-daughter coming upon that age and it scares me to death. Girls grow up so fast these days and I am contatnly reminding her that she is only 10 and she needs to enjoy being a kid. I took a Drug and Human Health course this past summer and throughout some of the reading they say peer pressure is a main cause of chilrens actions. I do have to agree with that myself. With children having computers, cell phones and many more things than what we had growing up provides them with many more avenue's to put themselves out there to be vulnerable. I do agree with you Jeri about I do not think educating them more about it is going to help. I think parent are going to have to be more hands on with their individual children and encourage them and try to find the stem of what issue may be taking place.
ReplyDeleteHanson G.R., Venturelli, P.J., and Fleckenstein, A.E. (2006). Drugs and Society,
Tenth Edition. Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc
This is to all three of my classmates. I AGREE!! it is all what the children are picking up on tv and in society. We are not going to be able to shield them from the sex,the drugs and the violence, but we can educate them ourselves; teach them values and morals. Once you have sex with someone you increase your chances of being emotionally scared. You are giving bits and pieces of yourself to everyone you are sexually active with.For someone who is not emotionally mature to take that step it is very damaging to their self-esteem. If the person you decide to lose you virginity to decided he is no longer interested in you leave, it can play some serious mind games on you cause a downward spiral; which could end very badly. I believe in abstinence is that realistic.... for most no, but it is worth a try. Speak to young girls even boys about it. as for Jeri, and the aging gracefully that is very important to me. My grandmother died at a young age 71; if she had been able to at a younger age take care of herself more efficiently I fell the health complications she faced later in life could have been avoided. She was in a tremendous amount of pain the last 11 years of her life and I wish she knew how she could have prevented that.A lot of women tend to let there health deteriorate once they have hit a certain age. They fell as if they have done enough up until then and it no longer matters, but it does and the longer you workout, eat right and meditate( for mental health)the longer you will live a happy and fulfilling life with little to no limitations.
ReplyDeleteUntil next time.....Peace, Love, and Happiness
God Bless and Namaste!!!
Jeri,
ReplyDeleteYour blog discusses an issue, which is often overlooked. Women and minorities have been severely affected by the recent economic crisis. It is estimated that almost 68% of women account for minimum or below minimum wage, and women are still paid 77 cents for every dollar a man makes. Physical and mental health is important to everyone no matter what age bracket you fall in. It is especially important in the late half of your life when you really need it the most. I think the recent health legislation has taken a few positive steps in this regards namely, free wellness visit to doctors beginning 2011 (currently only the first visit is free), the new law gradually increases prescription drug coverage, and does not cut basic Medicare benefits in the future (please follow the link for details) http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/poll-older-americans-perplexed-by-health-care-law/).
The second issue raised in your blog is about if mother hood would interfere with one’s life style. I, being a new mom, think it does and does not. Initially you have to be with your baby when they are infants, this would be considered an "interference" by someone. I think this is an opportunity to raise a child healthy with good values. If a child is raised with good moral values and ethics, most of the other issues discussed (teenage pregnancy, teens being sexually active) would no longer be an "issue". I do agree that with 3 kids life can be handful, but after all that is what moms do. They are the backbone of every society. If we can sacrifice an hour of sleep for the betterment of our kids, I don't see this as a loss. Coming back to the initial point rose about healthcare for women 60 and above, is Medicare/or government sponsored plan the only answer?
Young adolescents having sex.
ReplyDeleteOne- girls are developing earlier in life. It's supposed to be the so-called hormone injected food we're eating now.
Two- More technology, more availability. They are exposed to much more in today's society.
Three- Parents. With everyone trying to keep with the Jones', both parents are working full time out of the house now. Or single parents trying to succeed on their own. It's what you have, where you live and what you drive. Televisions and cell phones are babysitters. Fast food is dinner in between 2 activities. Very minimal amounts of parents still spend quality time with their children on a regular basis. During such a susceptible age, girls need a lot of support and attention from good female and male role models. If they're not getting it at home, they'll find it else where.
Jeri, your concerns are definitely ones that are relevant and valid to many women at one time or another in life. We all think about how aging will affect our health and what we can do to avoid health issues that seem to accompany age. I fully agree with your methods for maintaining your health. Education and healthy lifestyle practices are good ways to ensure a quality of life as we age. As for the the latter part of your posting addressing teen pregnancy, I agree with a few of our classmates. Youth are very impressionable and it is true that they are influenced by alot of what they see in the media. However, I believe that the greatest influences come from home. In todays society too many parents act like their childs friend instead of their parents. Parenting is never easy but in order for our teens to grow up and become responsible adults we have to talk to them about the tough issues and make sure they embrace values that will lead them away from impressions of society.
ReplyDeleteseyoum said
ReplyDeleteafter i read your concern i am very much convienced that physically and mentally sound is essential to to be productive and leading happy life style. In most cases individuls behaviour determine the out come of their health. for example the 18 year old atlitic women have healthy living versus 18 year old that is sexually active perhaps a drug addict. It is a legitimate concern to be adressed nationally and globally about teen age pregnancy. teen age pregnancy in some country is not voluntry. in some country it is a culture to get married at the young age as early as 12years old. It is important to educate parents to understand the health issue as a result of teenage arranged marriage.