What I See I Might Want to Become--Media Gods? Why?

We often hear about the media and how our daughters want to emulate the people in which they see on the television screen. Would this not be a type of learned behavior because of the constant viewing of television? What ever happened to going outside to play and riding bicycles with friends? Outdoor activities and associating with friends without electronic devices such as televisions, computers, and cellular telephone should be the new trend.

As our need to watch more television increases, so does the images we allow our children to see. These images are projected into there brains, which in turn, become reality. The media has captured our daughters' attentions and refuses to release them until they are as the media gods intend them to be--vulnerable, detached and insecure. Women and men who are not naturally thin are hired to play fictitious roles are being paid millions of dollars of which most people do not possess. This type of lifestyle projected on screen makes most children want what they may not have and therefore live in a fantasized state of illusion. Why not simply turn to television off and read a book or socialize with other human being that look similar to our own
shapes and sizes.

As health educators, we must give our daughters and sons other positive alternatives to combat the images displayed on television screens. We must point out the positive attributes our children have and accentuate the positive aspect of ourselves as well. If our children constantly hear our complaining about our sizes and shapes as being inferior to other people we view, they will in turn do the same. We must applaud ourselves and become "superstars" in our own right. Encourage our children to stop looking to others and look within themselves. Health educators should encourage parents to smile at our children more often and offer encouragement. We should treat our children more like superstars by encouraging healthy diet with the occasional treat, exercise but make it a family event as well as individualized, develop close relationships and by spending more time watching the children and their activities, and by asking them if they can sign their "autographs".

I am of an opinion if we make our children the stars of our lives; however, without spoiling them, they may blossom into wonderful and healthy adults. Perhaps television needs a much needed break!

Hormone Replacement Therapy Interview

As I conversed with Mrs. O., aged 57, regarding if she had chosen HRT to improve menopausal symptoms, her reply was quite shocking. She expressed she had a completed or total hysterectomy at the age of 22 years of age due to an IUD called the Dalkon Shield, which caused cervical cancer. She expressed she had been using Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT) for over thirty years. Since she has been using ERT, several changes had occurred over the years which included heart disease, two hip replacements, cataracts, increased weight gain and a sense of isolation.
Mrs. O. explained she had to have two hip replacement surgeries due to the excess use of estrogen that possibly caused sever bone damage. When examined, her doctor revealed she had the bone structure of an 80 year old female. Her bones were entirely too brittle to hold her frame which over the years having gained nearly 60 pounds over her healthy weight.
Mrs. O. began to explain her envy of her daughter who has never had to deal with such issues. She says she often feels less of a mother due to "the absent of my womanly parts"(Mrs. O, 2010). It was apparent, she may need counseling to get through her pain and family relationship issues. No further comments were made.
In conclusion, Mrs. O. appeared to have had the most extreme case of negative effects of HRT. Because she had a total hysterectomy very early in her life and was placed on Estrogen Replacement Therapy for over 30 years, her body may have endured more negative side effects than the average female of her age group. It is my opinion more research is needed for women who are using HRT. Women must demand that doctors present better choices with regards to any type of medications and include short-term and long-term side effects. My heart goes out to Mrs. O. for her struggles and her pains were both prevalent and palpable.

References
Mr. O. (personal communication, October 19, 2010)

Unfortunate Cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

I take the stance that I do not believe most people who have contracted sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are amoral or corrupt. I believe there are may people who are simply misinformed or uneducated about the dangers of such diseases and procedures to protect themselves. We cannot mask the problem with accusations and insults, we must shed light upon the importance of practicing safe sexual encounters and the importance of using protection. Educating and counseling may, perhaps, assist more people much more successfully than berating.

If a person contracts an STI or STD, I am of an opinion he or she may have not been educated with regards to the basic rules of protection, may be unaware of their partner's sexual practices, may have fallen victim to a violent sexual crime, or may have fallen in "love or other" and assumed the person who is the object of their affection is clean based on a quick glance of their outer appearance.

In such cases, one should be educated on the importance not depending upon a person's "clean" outer appearance or their word that they are disease free. A person must be educated to rely upon the safety of protection with the use of condoms and possible abstinence until there is certainty no such diseases are present. Also, a person may have contracted the disease or infection by a partner who is promiscuous and does not protect himself or herself from infection thereby infecting the unsuspecting partner (Population Action International, 2008). For the women and children who are sexually violated, more protection from various governments must prevail to guard such precious souls against such violent acts. They are harmed and infected with such diseases as HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea and AIDS through no fault of their own (TEDIndia, 2009).

Population Action International (Producer). (November, 2008). Silent Partner: HIV in a marriage.
Retrieved from http://www.populationaction.org/silentpartner/

TED India (Producer). (December, 2009). Sunitha Krishnan fights sex slavery. Retrieved from
http://www.ted.com/talks/sunitha_krishnan_tedindia.html

Prenatal Testing as Routine for Pregnant Women

Being prepared for what comes our way is by far the greatest gift a prenant woman can receive. Knowing the health and status of an unborn child my help ensure mothers are well informed and equipped for the new life or lives which may be cared for until adulthood. With prenatal testing, women are given such advantages.
There are several prenatal tests available to women that may serve as a guide when making important decisions about their future and the future of the unborn child. The tests include
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) which is used to determine chromosomal defects though not conclusive during the first trimester (Alexander, L.L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. J., 2010).
First-trimester screening is a non invasive ultrasound and blood test that detect Down Syndrome and other defects that may affect an unborn fetus (Alexander, L. L., et al, 2010).
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) measures a substance fetal kidneys produce which is performed early in pregnancy (Alexander, L. L., et al 2010).
Amniocentesis is performed to analyze the cells for chromosomal defects and neural-tube defects (Alexander, L. L., 2010).

The prenatal tests listed above are tests offered to give perspective parents an opportunity to prepare for the arrival of their offspring. Alexander, L. L., et al (2010), states "risk factors that increase the likelihood of birth defects include family or personal history of birth defects, a previous child with a birth defect, certain medications used around the time of conception, diabetes before pregnancy, and women being age 35 or older when the baby is due"(p. 145).

With so much to fret over, while carrying the new bundle of joy, it may be to ones advantage to not only prepare for the new arrival but to ensure the new arrival is healthy.

References
Alexander, L. L., LaRosa, J. H., Bader, H., Garfield, S., & Alexander, W. J. (2010).
Dimensions in women's health. Prenatal care. (5th Ed.) (pp. 145-146). Sudbury, MA:
Jones and Bartlett.

Contraceptives Used on Actual Toast--Bread

As I began to read the article, Contraceptive Jelly on Toast and Other Unintended Consequences of Sexuality Education, a passage regarding the young lady who actually thought the directions required her to place contraceptive jelly on the bread in which she eats was hilarious, initially. Immediately, my thoughts went to the actual words that are used to describe contraceptives and I found there are those who take words literally(Contraceptive Jelly, 2000). My laughter quickly abated, realizing several contraceptive words needed revising. Other comments regarding placing the condom on the "organ" and since the couple did not have an organ, decided to placed the condom on their piano instead which resulted in pregnancy, which is quite appalling (Contraceptive Jelly, 2000). Imagine if these same people were properly educated on contraception and abstinence. Do you think the pregnancies may have been prevented? If parents, health care educators, and communities will not support the proper sexual education of children, the problem may continue. This information leads me to keep my opinion, sexual education needs to be taught to children by informed parents, health educators, and community health educators.
Knowing religion plays an important role in the way in which we live our lives, tends to make teaching such subjects difficult. However, after reviewing the short video clip from our supplemental reading, in which teens were kept ignorant regarding sexual education by allowing a priest to give out erroneous information in order to scare children into to compliance, gives an indication something needs to be done regarding the sexual education for our youth (Sex Education in America, 2008). Sending our children into a world without knowledge, though, albeit sensitive knowledge, may prove to have even greater risks. Young ladies and gentlemen should be informed and not left in ignorance due to fear of such knowledge. Educating the youth regarding preventative measures and abstinence is crucial to preserving our children and their future.
As a parent, it is my belief, speaking openly to my children gives them an opportunity to practice confident communication when speaking on such sensitive subjects. They are, at times, asked questions regarding such subjects by other children whose parents refuse to acknowledge these children are have actual sexual urges and feelings. Though I quickly inform my children to encourage their friends to talk with counselors and their parents, my stance remains that giving children accurate information may ensure they will have healthy futures.
We are in a world that is so advanced that if we, as parents, do not have accurate information to present to our children, they may get incorrect information regarding contraception and abstinence elsewhere. Consequently, it is the parents who are left to handle the consequences. When my children, who are at present 19, 17 and 9, are prepared to have children, it is my hope they are actually knowledgable, enlightened and eager for their live-long journey into parenthood.

VOA video (Producer). (2008 September 4). Sex Education in America [videofile].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/v/PyqqndsHPEM

Whatley, M. H. & Henken, E. R. (2000). Contraceptive Jelly on Toast and Other Unintended
Consequences of Sexual Education. Retrieved from Contraceptive Jelly on Toast, pdf.