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.

Listen and Talk Openly with Our Children

It is my belief we should begin educating our children as early as elementary school regarding abstinence plus. However, it should be taught on a level that is appropriate for elementary school students. As in health care, we may begin with primary preventative sexual education. For if we pretend our children are unaware of sex and sexuality, we may have surprises of our own. This may be achieved by expressing to children their bodies are not to be hurt or violated by any person, whether he or she be young or old, friends or family members. We may begin by teaching them the difference between acceptable touches and inappropriate touch. Children may need to be reminded the difference between keeping secrets that are appropriate and inappropriate. Children should be educated about stranger danger and the proper procedures to protect themselves if such situations occur. Enforcing a buddy system for elementary school children may also assist children safety in the hall ways and other places during elementary school. Encourage children to speak openly with their parents, teachers and friends about issues that may plague their thoughts. This may be achieved by having weekly discussions with elementary students regarding topics of concerns or any topic they may find interesting. The assistance may help at risk children reduce the burden of abuse which takes its toll on children who become adults who have survived abuse.
During the middle school years, maturation classes should be offered to students with parents' permission to ensure children are receiving the most current and accurate information regarding abstinence plus. Health educators may need to develop thick skin regarding sexual activity and abstinence. With more information available to students than every before, gaining their attention and respect with accurate and correct information may reduce the number of at risk children. The material taught needs to be age and gender appropriate. Provide additional counseling in smaller groups to encourage open communication among students. Perhaps dividing the students into groups according to gender may produce positive feedback among students. If students are shy or frightened to communicate with health educators, software companies should create software that may be downloaded at the school's computers so middle school students may view the material in a classroom designated for the abstinence plus class privately; which if viewed privately may reduce embarrassment on such a sensitive topic. Middle school students may then use their students IDs to ask questions privately by typing questions to be answered by counselors and health educators without feeling insecure and receive answers via their student identification numbers.
During the high school years, students should be educated as middle school students; however, more in-dept information should be presented to students regarding gender and orientation along with abstinence plus. Health educators should have the most current and accurate information to present to students with respect to their age. Having an open door policy to students who may need individual counseling regarding abstinence plus may increase communication among students. Preparing students for adulthood is not simply the health educators job but the parents'as well. Getting parents involved with such issues may enhance the communication between high school students and their parents. In the end, we hope and pray the students choose wisely.

Beatrice's Preventative Practices

After reviewing the self assessment on p. 57, in our text book, I am relieved I practice all or most of the preventative practices. Before I began the preventative practices, I took a physical to determine where my health level was leading. Because I never drank alcohol, smoked nor ever tried illicit drugs, I felt confident I was a healthy individual. I breastfed my children and took vitamins daily. Exercise was also implemented in my daily activities; however, I remained fatigued and exhausted. After talking to my primary care provider, regarding my fatigue and exhaustion, she advised me to take an allergy test. Though I believe I may have had cancer because I was doing everything possible to enhance the quality of my life, my primary care thought other wise. To my surprise, she was on to something. As doubtful as I was, I took the test believing my case was completely different. I was convenience a simple allergy test would not determine why I was constantly fatigued and exhausted. As it turned out, we are what we eat. I am allergic to wheat and refined sugar tends to cause headaches which may have explained the irritability. Taking the allergy test improved my outlook tremendously. Removing the wheat and sugar from my diet changed my life. I lost fifteen pounds in four months. The weight around my mid section appeared to disappear. The wrinkles I began to have around my mouth disappeared and most of all, I was able to sleep nine hours nightly. At age 40, I feel healthier and alive more so than in my early twenties.
As I have been married for twenty years, I am bless to say at year twenty, nonviolent methods work best in our home. Though we have our share of disagreements, our home does not tolerate violence. We believe a home is a place to rest and feel comfortable. We somehow manage to respect one another's differences. It is important because we have children watching what we say and do. As a preventative, I cannot tell my children do as I say and not as I do. I believe that is impossible.
I take an annual physical and encourage my older children to do the same. I am a firm believer one is never too young to take care of his or her health. We attempt to eat organic foods often and have the basic proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fats. That goes without saying we do have our share of treats. We also have a gym membership so as not to have excuses not to work off the treats which includes rock climbing, swimming, basketball, racquetball, aerobics, hiking, bicycling and muscles building.
Am I super woman? Absolutely not. I simply do not enjoy going to the hospital unless absolutely necessary. I decided my life is most important to me. I often practice yoga, meditation and relaxation as part of my preventative practices. I have good days and not so good; however, I will do what ever it takes to reach 100 years of age.