PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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Early Life, Education, and women's empowerment

1/27/2020

7 Comments

 
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Who or what has influenced your views on gender over the years?  Describe the influences  and/or influencers.
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

7 Comments
Claire Budge
1/28/2020 04:10:39 pm

Hi Lena, I like what you said about how your exposure to people with different gender identities shaped or influenced your views. I think that we're lucky to be going to a school that is very socially conscious and makes an effort to respect and embrace everyone. I have a lot of family in more rural areas and they haven't been exposed to a lot of LGBTQ people (that they're aware of at least) and as you said of your coworkers, many of them simply haven't learned about gender identity. I was excited this summer as my grandma has now learned about issues relating to gender identity and sexuality and is actively trying to use proper pronouns etc. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge or exposure for people to change.

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Megan Pintok
1/29/2020 02:37:54 pm

Hi Lena! Thank you for sharing your blog post. I really like that you included that identity issues when it comes to interpersonal relationships and connections with people, when typically we as people feel we have to act a certain way towards a specific group of people or person to allow that relationship to occur. The negative aspects of this include the lack of expression for self-worth and being able to be ourselves without the fear of people reject us.

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Haley Barton
1/30/2020 01:58:22 pm

Hello Lena, I loved the positivity of your post. UWB is a wonderful campus that works hard to make it a safe space for everyone who goes there. I grew up in Dallas, Texas with pretty stereotypical views on gender. Moving to Seattle and joining UWB has really opened my eyes to all of the possibilities. I honestly had never met someone who did not identify as either male of female until I moved here. It took me awhile to understand the importance of using gender appropriate pronouns but now I find it is so nice to be in a place where we can all love and respect each other personal identities.

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Lauren Toth
1/30/2020 07:21:39 pm

Hi Lena,
I really enjoyed reading your post, and how important you emphasized accepting others, and creating safe spaces for people to be who they are. I appreciated highlighting the positive effect of using someone's preferred gender pronouns, and it was interesting to have your job be compared to UWB in the sense that location really can be the factor of change in both a positive or negative way.

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Allie Boyer
1/31/2020 09:58:19 am

Hi Lena!

Overall, great response. I really liked your comment " college should feel like a safe space for everyone to be who they truly are" because I think it is important for those who choose to go to college to be open to the opportunity to find themselves and also express who they are without fear of judgement. Also, I can relate to your comment about having some growing up to do and needing to put myself and my health first. Being a college student is already difficult on its own, but throwing in working and supporting yourself really requires a lot of time management and self care. I think it is important that we talk about these issues, especially to young people, so we can create a healthier routine when it comes to living on our own and going to school. You made some valid point regarding how social-ecological factors can effect women's health and identity. I enjoyed reading!

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Jaya Cross
2/1/2020 04:38:53 pm

Hi Lena,
Thank you so much for your blog post! I agreed with everything you said about influences on gender identity. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in our generation. There are many discussions on the topic, and it helps that UW makes sure to encourage people to share their pronouns. The world still has a lot of growth to do when it comes to equality and discussing "taboo" topics.

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Muhhamed Muhhamed
2/8/2020 09:58:17 am

Hello Lena,
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that those around you can influence not only your health by not encouraging you to develop a strong healthy diet or making sure you get your yearly checkups but they can also influence how you view sexuality because if you grow up in a house where people are encouraged to talk freely about sexuality then you will not be afraid which is why it is important to talk to kids at a young age about it.

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