
Who or what has influenced my views on gender over the years would definitely be the people that I surroundmyself with and also I believe growing up in this newer generation. Especially today I know gender identity is a lot more accepted, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t work that needs to be brought towards it to where those who may identify as another gender are not discriminated against. I think once I was in high school I was exposed more to gender identity and thendefinitely when I first got to college was when I saw it a lot more. Especially because college should feel like a safe space for everyone to be who they truly are, where you won’t be judged based on things like gender identity. And here at UW Bothell I think overall everyone does a great job at making it feel like a safe space and campus, I’ve honestly never been to a school where you have to state your gender pronouns and I think that’s a great thing to have on our campus.
Another big influence in my life would definitely be my current job. While I’m in school I also work full time at a restaurant. Within my kitchen crew we have three different individuals that identify with different genders other than their birth ones. To me I was used to it but to others who haven’t been exposed to it before it’s something brand new. So I always wanted to make sure they felt comfortable and that I addressed them with the correct gender pronouns. Because we still have other employees that don’t and it’s not their fault because they don’t honestly know unless someonecorrects them. Just like school, work should also be a safe space because these are two places we spend most of our time at during the day.
Describe 3 different social ecological factors that commonly impact girls' identity, health, and economic growth.
Looking at three different social ecological factors that commonly impact girls’ identities, health, and economic growth, includes first looking at the ecological model. One factor being at the individual level, a girl with her identity might still be very confused about who she honestly is. I know even now at the age of 23 I am still honestly trying to still figure out myself as a person and still have tons of growing up to do even as an adult. As far as health at the individual level you sometimes forget to take care of your own self because you’re so busy trying to keep your life together in other areas that you put your own health last. And then with economic growth, for example with myself as I am trying to get myself through school I have to sacrifice and maybe not work the best full time job there is because it works with my school schedule. But eventually I will finish my degree and be able to apply to better and more professional jobs.
A second social ecological factor would be at an interpersonal or relationship level, the people in your life can have a really big effect on first your health by not encouraging youto take better care of yourself and that means even just taking medicine when you honestly need to. Also with your identity you may feel like you have to act different around certain people so that challenges knowing the true you and with your economic growth those who you surround yourself with might be holding you back from reaching your true potential. And lastly at the community level with your identity it’s hard to find where you belong, I know personally as a woman that comes from two different cultures I have difficulty finding my place a lot within my own community. With health I believe our society is so fast paced and focused on other things that we think are important like education and work that we don’t remind individuals to take care of their health even if that means taking an extra day off. Finally with economic growth our community is very money driven all the time so that usually pushes others to do the same but for women it is a lot harder to move up especially when men are still getting paid more either way.
National Cancer Institute. (2005). Theory at a glance: A guide for health promotion practice. Bethesda, Md.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute.
By Lena Camacho