Photo by Marc Nozell on Flickr One reading that I was intrigued by is “Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality” by Liz Plank. Plank provides supporting evidence that details why men living in less gender equal countries will be more susceptible to non-communicable diseases, divorce, suicide, and other detrimental health outcomes. Iceland, being the number one gender equal country held their top position for a decade because they did not conform to the traditional notions of masculinity. This led me to reflect on the video of former School of Nursing and Health Studies, dean and professor, Dr. Allen in his clip about societal views on masculinity. He states that “all forms of popular culture produced in the U.S perpetuates a vision of masculinity as violent” (5:03). This greatly impacts the behaviors of men as they are less unable to express feelings of vulnerability like their female counterparts. Therefore, widening the gender equality gap between men and women.
This reading also allowed me to reflect on my culture and upbringing. I grew up with traditional Chinese views on gender roles in which women should always be submissive to their husbands and husbands are the main breadwinners. In addition, neither genders should perform the roles and duties of the other. I used to be biased in my beliefs that gender equality is mainly a women’s issue, but am now surprised at how much of a positive impact gender equality can have on both men and women. This article serves as a reminder for me that gender equality is a human right and is critical for making communities healthier as well as promote change. Some benefits of gender equality Plank provided are less financial responsibility on men and shelter from economic shock through empowerment of women. As we settle into a new decade, I hope that other countries view Iceland as an example for change.
Another interesting read I found to my liking is the article by Cathy Sebag on “Top 3 Challenges facing global women’s health in 2019”. Plank may have stated the negative health outcomes of men due to gender inequality, however Sebag lists bigger issues facing women in today’s more patriarchal dominated system. The top three challenges are gender based violence, empowerment within medical care, and access to care. I understand that these challenges can also affect men, but women tend to be the targets. Violence against women not only causes physical and mental stress, it can carry onto the next generation. Moreover, women were used as war instruments such as being “routinely raped at checkpoints and during interrogations” (Sebag, 2018). This is new information to me that I find carries a lot of weight and should have more attention. I find it thought provoking that no matter what socioeconomic status a woman may have, we are all vulnerable to violence.
I think it is not addressed enough that women lack support from the healthcare system. What struck me here is that women in both low resource settings and high resource settings experience about the same limitations due to traditional practices and the absence of female involvement. Why should our beliefs have to align with others in order to receive the right form of care? For example, women who have unwanted unexpected pregnancies should have abortion rights. Sebag’s last point is that women in underserved populations extremely lack access to healthcare, therefore having higher mortality rates. That left me to ponder, how can we help improve access to healthcare in these populations? What stakeholders are involved? It seems so long ago that Hillary Clinton made her 1995 speech about women’s rights, but it was only 25 years ago and women’s rights still have a long way to go.
Posted by Nhi My Ly
References
Allen, D. (2014). Dr. David Allen: Interview for BHS420. Retrieved from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j_MCYknSqQ
Plank, L. (2019). Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality. Retrieved from, https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/men-s-health-is-better-too-in-countries-with-more-gender-equality-20190924-p52ulc.html
Sebag, C. (2018). Top 3 – Challenges facing global women’s health. Retrieved from, https://www.mobileodt.com/blog/challenges-facing-global-womens-health/
This reading also allowed me to reflect on my culture and upbringing. I grew up with traditional Chinese views on gender roles in which women should always be submissive to their husbands and husbands are the main breadwinners. In addition, neither genders should perform the roles and duties of the other. I used to be biased in my beliefs that gender equality is mainly a women’s issue, but am now surprised at how much of a positive impact gender equality can have on both men and women. This article serves as a reminder for me that gender equality is a human right and is critical for making communities healthier as well as promote change. Some benefits of gender equality Plank provided are less financial responsibility on men and shelter from economic shock through empowerment of women. As we settle into a new decade, I hope that other countries view Iceland as an example for change.
Another interesting read I found to my liking is the article by Cathy Sebag on “Top 3 Challenges facing global women’s health in 2019”. Plank may have stated the negative health outcomes of men due to gender inequality, however Sebag lists bigger issues facing women in today’s more patriarchal dominated system. The top three challenges are gender based violence, empowerment within medical care, and access to care. I understand that these challenges can also affect men, but women tend to be the targets. Violence against women not only causes physical and mental stress, it can carry onto the next generation. Moreover, women were used as war instruments such as being “routinely raped at checkpoints and during interrogations” (Sebag, 2018). This is new information to me that I find carries a lot of weight and should have more attention. I find it thought provoking that no matter what socioeconomic status a woman may have, we are all vulnerable to violence.
I think it is not addressed enough that women lack support from the healthcare system. What struck me here is that women in both low resource settings and high resource settings experience about the same limitations due to traditional practices and the absence of female involvement. Why should our beliefs have to align with others in order to receive the right form of care? For example, women who have unwanted unexpected pregnancies should have abortion rights. Sebag’s last point is that women in underserved populations extremely lack access to healthcare, therefore having higher mortality rates. That left me to ponder, how can we help improve access to healthcare in these populations? What stakeholders are involved? It seems so long ago that Hillary Clinton made her 1995 speech about women’s rights, but it was only 25 years ago and women’s rights still have a long way to go.
Posted by Nhi My Ly
References
Allen, D. (2014). Dr. David Allen: Interview for BHS420. Retrieved from, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2j_MCYknSqQ
Plank, L. (2019). Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality. Retrieved from, https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/men-s-health-is-better-too-in-countries-with-more-gender-equality-20190924-p52ulc.html
Sebag, C. (2018). Top 3 – Challenges facing global women’s health. Retrieved from, https://www.mobileodt.com/blog/challenges-facing-global-womens-health/
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