In this week of class, we discussed women’s health in the context of gendered portrayal of women in popular culture, advertising and social media. I learned that western concept of an ideal woman is entrenched in religion particularly in the portrayal of Eve, a ‘feminine’ figure whose role and purpose was man’s helper. Eve represented traits that were deemed negative, and they were not to be trusted and were weaker than their counterparts. Marriage as such back then focused on women being seen as property or something to be “obtained” by men. With the rise of western consumerism and capitalism, it reinforces gender stereotypes by placing value on traditional ideologies and roles. Poor representation and unhealthy gendering in society only further harms women’s health in many ways.

This year’s Olympics has caused an uproar in how society treats women and transwomen in sports, gathering an unfavourable attention from western media and furthering Trumps’ political agenda. Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, has faced intersectional discrimination with her name being disrespected by lies and gossip spreading online. This shows a need for trans rights representation and to recognise that there is this toxic frame in which women need to uphold a certain look or have feminine characteristics in order to be a “woman”.

While I acknowledge that I am not nor identify as a woman, being a queer male in this modern age alongside what I have reflected from this week has given me the understanding of why feminism is important as harm towards women is detrimental to everyone’s health and wellbeing. I associate myself with a lot of women from all walks of life and it has established an empathetical sense of what they go through even knowing I would not experience the extremities.

https://www.nine.com.au/sport/olympics/paris-2024-boxing-who-is-imane-khelif-algerian-facing-gender-outcry-modest-success-before-olympics-20240803-p5jz2b.html

In this week’s lecture, the 2009 Woman’s Day article typifying women into distinct roles within her marriage stood out to me. I believe these kinds of articles tie a woman’s inherent worth to her marriage. Therefore, does society see a woman’s role is to dedicate everything to her family?

This reminded me of American footballer Harrison Butker’s commencement speech to his fellow graduates, where he proclaims the graduating women were probably more excited about becoming wives and mothers. Personally, I want to be a wife and mother however, I significantly value my educational achievements. Reading the article, I felt disappointed for the graduating women who were forced to listen to a man in power tell them their worth was tied to their husband and children.

Research indicates patriarchal norms and sexism are entrenched within universities (Bartos & Ives, 2019) and sport (McGinty-Minister et al., 2024), and I believe the minimal professional consequences Butker received highlights the patriarchal system embedded within our institutions. Furthermore, Butker has since defended his speech by citing his Catholic faith, and I believe this supports findings that suggest religion is associated with stronger patriarchal attitudes (Perales & Bouma, 2018). I also believe this aligns with what was discussed in the lecture about the origins of womanhood in the Christian Bible, where I learnt that Eve was created to serve as Adam’s helper. However, I must acknowledge that I am not religious and do not have knowledge of the current teachings in the Christian or Catholic Churches, and I recognise that not everyone of Christian or Catholic faith have patriarchal attitudes.

This week’s content has encouraged me to reflect on how social constructions of a woman’s role are perpetuated by patriarchal beliefs embedded within our systems. The patriarchy may believe a woman’s purpose is to provide for her family in the home however, I believe a woman’s worth is determined by her and that she decides her own societal role. To promote gender equity, we need to challenge patriarchal ideals that assume a woman needs to relinquish her identity to dedicate everything to her marriage and family.

News Articles

ABC News. (2024). Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker uses commencement speech to deride LGBTQ+ and question women’s place in the workplace. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-16/chief-kicker-harrison-butker-commencement-speech/103854886

Jio, S. (2009). What kind of wife are you? Find out your type – Plus ways to improve your marriage. Woman’s Day. https://www.womansday.com/relationships/dating-marriage/advice/a79/what-kind-of-wife-are-you/

Musa, A. (2024). Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker defends sexist, anti-LGBTQ+ commencement speech. CNN. https://www.advocate.com/sports/harrison-butker-sexist-commencement-speech

Academic References

Bartos, A. E., & Ives, S. (2019). ‘Learning the rules of the game’: Emotional labor and the gendered academic subject in the United States. Gender, Place & Culture, 26(6), 778-794. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966369X.2018.1553860

McGlinsty-Minister, K. L., Swettenhem, L., Champ, F. M., & Whitehead, A. E. (2024). ‘Smile more’: Women’s experiences of sexism while working in sport from a socio-ecological perspective. Sport in Society. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2024.2321357

Perales, F., & Bouma, G. (2018). Religion, religiosity and patriarchal gender beliefs: Understanding the Australian experience. Journal of Sociology, 55(2), 323-341. https://doi.org/10.1177/1440783318791755

W2 The Social Construction of Womanhood: Popular Culture, Advertising, Religion, and the Media

This week's lecture prompted me to consider my parents, who had three daughters who they tried to raise without the limitations on who we could be because of our gender. But as my world grew I discovered that some people truly did see women as weaker/dumber/crazy so even with their best intentions I felt the pressures of society to reject any 'girly' attributes and focused on being 'not like other girls' as early as primary school. My parents, of course, we're not perfect though, my mum would ask me if I had a 'boy look' when I couldn't find something and tell me the boys were being mean because they liked me. My dad didn't think there were any more barriers for women in business because he knew some female CEO's. Both of them lacked a lens of complexity, of how little comments and the portrayal of women advertising, movies, and TV affects dominate discourse on women as has real life consequences on micro (e.g. sexual harassment), mezzo (e.g. women not pursuing male dominated fields) and macro (e.g. inadequate domestic violence and maternity leave policies) levels. This is evident with studies like the 2023 Plan International survey which found 17% of people believe gender equality is no longer an issue in Australia and that change for equality for women had gone too far. Almost one in 4 people believe that much of what is called domestic violence is a normal reaction to day-to-day stress and frustration

(Australian Government, 2024). This makes me consider how true change can only happen with a societal shift of attitudes, but how can that be possible? I think the answer is complex but everyone would agree that education is foundational.

Resources

Australian Government. (2024). Working for Women Strategy. Foundation: Gender Attitudes and Stereotypes . https://genderequality.gov.au/working-for-women/foundation-gender-attitudes-and-stereotypes

W3 The Social Construction of Masculinity and Men's Health

This most memorable part of this lecture was exploring how women's health/wellbeing / safety during pregnancy and men's health outcomes are interconnected. The journal article by Manandhar et al., (2018) reflects on this, stating more focus is needed on how masculinity as a collective pattern of behaviour affects the health of both men and women. This could also be described as 'the Man Box' as introduced in the tutorial. I've seen this of course with the boys I grew up with, being pressured to stay inside the man box and who are now perpetuating it. To move forward, positive alternatives must be must be visible for young men. Parents and family, friends and educators are all people influential to a child's development, positive male role-models in these areas could dismantle some of the cultural norms and lead to better outcomes for men (Flood et al., 2018). Which, of course, leads to better outcomes for women as part of the norms is devaluing and objectifying women. Better outcomes for women again lead to better outcomes for men as we learnt that good wellbeing and safety during pregnancy leads to better outcomes for men's health. To me, this really highlights how an intersectional approach is the only one that will effectively address gender inequity.

Resources

Flood, M., Irvine, H., & Livingstone, M. (2018). The Man Box: A study on being a young man in Australia. Jesuit Social Services. https://jss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/The-Man-Box-A-study-on-being-a-young-man-in-Australia.pdf

Manandhar, M., Hawkes, S., Buse, K., Nosrati, E., & Magar, V. (2018). Gender, health and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 96(9), 644–653. https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.18.211607

W4: Tradwives and women's rights

This week as we explored the history of contraception, pregnancy and abortion in the context of women's wellbeing I considered the tradwife trend I've seen on instagram and tiktok. This trend is women romanticising traditional gender roles that tie a woman's value to her role in the home. I've seen other women both online and in real-life romanticise this life and defend the women promoting it. Although on the surface it may seem to be innocuous, it's subtly undermining years of progression for women's rights to have choices to pursue an education, a career and not have kids. It does this by reinforcing caregiving stereotypes and romanticising being dependent on your husband, leaving you with no security if he chose to leave. This is evident with some of the most popular creators like Nara Smith and Hannah from Ballerina Farms being Mormon, and although they are being promoted as modern and progressive because they wear 'provocative' clothing and are seemingly happy with life. However, with a critical lens we can see they are actually promoting conservative Mormon values of submission to their husbands and a woman's place being in the home, prioritising marriage and motherhood. The article trilogy by the Michigan Daily explores this deeper, discusses how men or the 'Manosphere' are really the people behind this trend, definitely worth a read.

Resources

https://www.michigandaily.com/arts/digital-culture/the-tradwife-trilogy-part-3-the-real-women-behind-the-tradwife-movement/

W5 Gender and Work: Income and Occupational Inequality for Women

This week again relates to the tradwife trend we've been seeing everywhere. It feels like we've so quickly lost touch with touch with the reality of our mothers and grandmother's life experiences. Both of my grandmothers have always been 'homemakers', university or a real career was never a option for them like it is for us and although there is absolutely nothing wrong with looking after the household, the tradwife trend is reinforcing stereotypes about women belonging in a home. This makes it harder for women who are also working because most if not all of the labour (and childcare) is unconsciously put on them around their 9-5 (Borgen & Dafna Gelbgiser, 2023). And then women with children who are working parents face discrimination in the workplace as research has found. Not only is it harder to get a job for women with children compared to men but we were also less likely to get a promotion or salary increase (Correll et al., 2007).

 Resources

Borgen, N. T., & Dafna Gelbgiser. (2023). The gendered division of cognitive household labor, mental load, and family–work conflict in European countries. European Societies, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616696.2023.2271963

Correll, Shelley J., Benard, S., & Paik, I. (2007). Getting a job: Is there a motherhood penalty? American Journal of Sociology, 112(5), 1297–1339.

W6 ‘Walking into Doors’: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women Locally and Globally

This week's content made me reflect on people in my life who have lived experience of DFV and how much it has impacted them. In small ways like they unconsciously always have their hair up so it can't be grabbed and it bigger ways that are harder to talk about. It also made me think of people who are so removed from this reality they struggle to understand it and say things like 'why don't they leave?' or don't think it could have been that bad if there's not bruises. This perspective to so damaging and harmful for people who have been through it but it's also understandable. I can see how it can be so confusing if you have no experience with it why a someone would stay in a bad relationship. This is where an understanding of coercive control and what it looks like is so important. Susan Lagdon in the Tedx Talk linked below talks through this with  her own research and experiences in a way I think is really easy for people to understand.

Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CGVsWxfI2Q

The lecture for week two covered the depiction of women (specifically of the ‘first woman’ Eve) in the bible. It displayed that women were created to be subservient to men. That even the origin of the title of woman was simply a derivative of man. Their purpose is to hail him and obey him. But this contradicted the simultaneous belief that women are disloyal, untrustworthy and deceitful. I find it contrived how contradictory the origins of beliefs about women are. Perhaps it wished to explore the dichotomy of human existence and yet it only does so to men. It is blatantly misogynistic and sexist and yet is hailed as truth by multitudes of people. 

With this, certain elements related to the depiction of women whilst initially framed as a positive are simultaneously depicted as a negative. Their subservience is also seen as weak-willed; their willingness to obey is dehumanised; and their origins as part of man somehow equates to them being lesser than. By no means do I intend for this reflection to reflect hate onto religious individuals, I simply critique the bible’s portrayal of women. In contrast, a feminist perspective perceives the nuances of gender and free will (Ferguson, 2017). There is no correct way for women to behave and they are acknowledged as more than servants to men. Without the presence of more open-minded views on gender and women’s ‘roles’ in society, negative outcomes for women continue to occur and gender equity isn’t achievable. 

Ferguson, K. E. (2017). Feminist Theory Today. Annual Review of Political Science, 20(1), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-polisci-052715-111648

This week's lecture topic delved into all things that it takes to be a woman? Throughout the lecture we dove into cultural and societal pressures that women face all over the world.
This really got me thinking about my own experience as a woman. Let alone being a woman of colour (Black Woman) in Australia, where my family migrated to in the early 2000’s. It really got me thinking about my mother, weirdly enough. What it was like for her as a mixed-race child growing up in the mid-fifties in Port Moresby. My Mother is half Caucasian Australian and Half Motuan (Ethnic group in Papua New Guinea). With being mixed race in the mid-fifties being really uncommon. I spoke to my mother about what that was like for her after going through this week’s lecture topics/readings.

Ann (my mother) explained to me to that “growing up in predominately black and brown society and not looking like her nearest and dearest (her family/friends) was really hard” she reflects. She went into detail that she constantly felt like she was “too white” for her Motuan family, then being “too black” for her Australian family.  I summarised that it was because of my mother’s “otherness” made it really hard for to work out what it meant to her to become a young woman. I can only assume this was because her grandparents who raised her shielded from the traditional pressures of being a woman, because they respected that her father was from a different culture. That being said It left her to create her own culture where she picked different aspects from her parent’s culture, which allowed her to develop into the woman she is today.

Week 2-

Wow, this week's lecture really opened my eyes to how much media and society shape how we see women. Social media has made everything so much worse. Like, we're constantly bombarded with these perfect images, and it's all about being skinny, young, and usually white. It's no wonder so many of us end up with eating disorders or other body image issues. I've definitely felt the pressure to look a certain way, and I've seen my friends go through some really tough times trying to meet these impossible standards. What really got me thinking was how deep these ideas go. They're not just on the surface – they're tangled up in our culture, religion, and even the economy. It's like we can't escape it. And then there's all this expectation for women to be perfect moms and caregivers on top of everything else. It's exhausting just thinking about it!I read a bit of "The Beauty Myth" by Naomi Wolf after class, and it really hit home how these beauty standards are used to keep women down. It's like we're so busy worrying about how we look that we don't have time to fight for real equality

What's particularly concerning is how these ideals are deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and economic factors, making them challenging to overcome. The traditional roles assigned to women as caregivers and mothers have further complicated their relationship with their bodies and self-worth. This narrow definition of a woman's value can lead to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.

I watched this great YouTube video called "The Danger of a Single Story" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and it made me realize how important it is to have diverse stories and representations

It's crucial to challenge these harmful norms and promote a more inclusive, health-focused approach to beauty and self-worth. We need to create spaces where diverse body types and identities are celebrated, not just tolerated. By advocating for broader and more inclusive portrayals in media, we can advocate for the voices of women not heard. Personally, I aim to be more mindful of how these stereotypes influence me and actively challenge them, embracing a more diverse understanding of femininity.

https://www.muriellemarie.com/blog/the-beauty-myth-how-images-of-beauty-are-used-against-women-by-naomi-wolf

https://youtu.be/D9Ihs241zeg?si=d3AM2tNVnfgx1bRX

This week’s lecture focused on the way women are constructed in media and society. This got me thinking about how social media influences how women are constructed. which then led me to a study that researchers from UC Santa Cruz conducted highlighted how social media has played a key role in fostering gender and sexual diversity. According to the study this has been done by encouraging self-expression and breaking down traditional norms. This change has led to new cultural narratives, such as fluidity in gender and sexuality, but has also triggered a lot of conservative backlash. The study urges psychologists to embrace these emerging identities with affirmation while recognizing the fluidity of social change. Additionally, it stresses the need for updated community and educational spaces to keep pace with these shifts. This study perfectly highlights how the expectations have shifted and continue to shift as well as how these changes have had broader impacts on traditions and the response from the conservative sectors of society. I feel like this perfectly reflects the direction society is heading regarding norms and expectations.

This week’s lecture left me feeling frustrated with the narrow and damaging depictions of women throughout history. From housewives to witches, and gold diggers to temptresses, women’s bodies and roles have been endlessly scrutinized, especially in today’s social media age. These portrayals resonate deeply with my own observations and experiences, making me reflect on how stereotypes and unrealistic beauty standards have affected my life as a woman. Growing up, I was constantly bombarded with media portrayals that equated femininity with being thin, attractive, and passive. These images have shaped not only society’s expectations of me but also my own self-image. My personal experiences align with the lecture’s analysis of how these portrayals restrict women’s behaviours and self-expression, making it hard to challenge the unrealistic standards imposed on us. The media plays a significant role in reinforcing these gender stereotypes. The lack of diversity in representation of women limits what society deems acceptable for women to look and behave. The objectification of women’s bodies and societal pressure to fit into narrow roles, devalues women. This realization has helped me understand how media has impacted my own life and the lives of other women.

I want to be more mindful of how these stereotypes influence me and actively challenge them. I’ll aim to embrace a more diverse understanding of femininity, recognizing the importance of diverse representations in media for young women. By advocating for broader and more inclusive portrayals, I hope to break free from the limiting standards society imposes and help foster healthier, more empowering narratives for all women.

Here are some further readings and sources.

https://www.elgaronline.com/edcollchap/book/9781035306893/book-part-9781035306893-34.xml

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-03-2022-0215/full/html

http://research.asianarticleeprint.com/id/eprint/1434/1/Msofu2262024ARJASS117757.pdf

https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/esbd/issue/82638/1246641

This lecture discussed the standard of perfection, particularly with beauty, imposed on women and the media's role in reinforcing this ideal. This creates an obsession with beauty where women feel defined by their appearance rather than expertise and intellect. This expectation of beauty extends to fields like sports. As an athlete, I've experienced the pressure to appear attractive even while competing. For example, ensuring I've eaten enough to perform but not too much so I look bloated. I feel frustrated that I care when all that matters is my athletic performance.

Feminist literature highlights how women have been conditioned to believe that attractiveness is important to our role as women (Liebelt, 2022). Those who don't meet these standards experience guilt, shame and low self-esteem. In sports, this leads to disengagement as 68% of girls who drop out express fear of judgement of not fitting the traditional feminine ideals (Hilborne, 2022). Those who do continue face a higher risk of developing eating disorders, exacerbated by misinformation from coaches. Recognising this pressure has made me more aware of its pervasiveness and the need to acknowledge that each sport has different physical requirements and therefore different body types.

Feminist theories emphasise critical engagement with the media’s portrayal of women. This is supported by media like All Bodies Nutrition who emphasise all bodies are capable of performing in sport and that food is fuel that is essential for success. Additionally, we can engage in conversations with peers that challenge these limiting attitudes and norms.

Resources

Hilborne, S. (2022, March 7). More than 1 million teenage girls fall “out of love” with sport. Women in Sport. https://womeninsport.org/news/more-than-1-million-teenage-girls-fall-out-of-love-with-sport/

Liebelt, C. (2022). Beauty: What Makes Us Dream, What Haunts Us. Feminist Anthropology, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/fea2.12076

Links to All Bodies Nutrition

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DxPnoQoszDQao6DN2eMJQ?si=e6dfebe6900f42b5

All Bodies - Sports Dietitians (@all_bodies_nutrition) • Instagram photos and videos

Examining the ‘1950s housewife’ advertising, which depicted the ideal woman through domesticity, nurturing roles, and strict adherence to traditional gender norms, highlights the importance for women to break free from these limiting stereotypes and redefine our identities on our own terms. However, it’s evident that advertising and media still have a long way to go. This lecture also sparked my curiosity about the portrayal of aging in advertising for both men and women. The media perpetuates a glaring double standard: women are expected to remain ‘young, beautiful, and flawless,’ with images of heavily airbrushed models dominating the screen—where wrinkles or cellulite are almost taboo. In contrast, men are often celebrated as they age, embracing the ‘silver fox’ image.

The Australian case of Tracey Spicer and her TED Talk echoes the experiences of Megyn Kelly and the Fox News sexual harassment scandal. In July 2016, former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes, accusing him of sexual harassment. This lawsuit triggered a cascade of similar allegations from other women, including Kelly, who also accused Ailes of harassment. These cases underscore that even the most powerful women, regardless of their position or success, are not immune to the pervasive influence of the male gaze and male-dominated power structures.

Here are some great resources and further readings I found insightful! also more info on Megyn Kelly's case.

Megyn Kelly Sexual Harrassment: Fox Paid $50 Million in Sexual Harassment Settlements in the Last Year - TheWrap

The True Story Behind Bombshell and the Fox News Scandal | TIME

Readings on Aging - Differences between men and woman: Double Standard of Aging for Men and Women: Evidence From Across Europe, 2006–2018 | Innovation in Aging | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

Male Gaze: Miyake Sjuman: Shifting the Male Gaze: Breaking the Glass Ceiling | TED Talk

For me, this lecture really highlighted the importance of men uplifting other men and fostering an environment where they can freely express their emotions. By promoting emotional openness and challenging traditional masculine norms, men can create a more supportive and understanding community. This shift not only will benefit their mental and emotional well-being but also help to dismantle harmful stereotypes and behaviors that negatively impact both men and women. It is essential for men to lead by example, demonstrating that vulnerability is a strength and that true respect is earned through empathy and mutual support.

During the lecture, I reflected on how truly exhausting the patriarchy is. While it is intended to 'elevate' men, it ultimately leaves everyone feeling miserable. It was also intriguing to observe how the rise of the 'Trad wife' movement appears utterly unrealistic within the context of modern capitalism and economic pressures. Families simply cannot afford to live and sustain themselves on a single income, rendering the dream of a traditional housewife and domesticated lifestyle unattainable. It makes me wonder how, women and men, have adapted their mindsets over the decades. More women now seem comfortable with being single and self-sufficient, recognizing their capability to thrive independently. While societal pressures to find a husband and settle down persist, many women are increasingly rejecting these traditional expectations in favour of personal and professional fulfillment.

Here are some links and resources I found interesting!

What Does Being A Trad Wife Actually Mean? (elle.com.au)

Men and Mental Health - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (nih.gov)

School-aged sexism: 98 per cent of girls feel unfairly treated compared to boys | SBS News

Why Bottling Up Emotions Is Central to Masculinity | Psychology Today

If men don't figure out how to frame masculinity for our sons, toxic misogynists like Andrew Tate will do it for them - ABC News

What struck me as a harsh truth, though it seems obvious in hindsight, is that these abortion bans aren't truly about the well-being or benefit of women; it's so that those in power can maintain control over women's bodies, restrict their autonomy, and uphold outdated societal structures that limit women's rights and freedoms.

I recently came across an intriguing article discussing how the overturning of Roe v. Wade couldn't happen in Australia, as abortion rights are protected at the state and territory level (ABC, 2022). However, the situation in Western Australia highlights significant challenges, where current laws are having a profoundly negative impact on women. Many women in this region are forced to fly interstate to access essential reproductive care, creating unnecessary barriers and exacerbating the physical, emotional, and financial strain on those seeking these services. This stark contrast between legal protections and practical access raises important questions about the equity and effectiveness of abortion laws in ensuring that all women, regardless of location, can exercise their reproductive rights without undue hardship. The ABC article highlights how the United States decision to strip woman of control over their bodies essentially has woman resorting to unsafe options or endure unwanted pregnancy which will impact their mental and physical health. As a woman, my heart breaks for those in America facing this harsh reality, and I can't imagine being forced to make such a difficult and life-altering decision under such oppressive circumstances.

Here are some resources I found interesting! Also, the ABC article discussed above.

The overturning of Roe v Wade couldn't happen in Australia, but abortion still isn't a guaranteed right - ABC News

Access to safe abortion is a fundamental human right - eClinicalMedicine (thelancet.com)

'Pro-Life' or 'Anti-Abortion Rights'? Journalists, Abortion, and Why Word Choice Matters - Newsweek

Abortion rights in Australia and why you should care about Roe v Wade - Amnesty International Australia

I was talking to my partner about this, and he felt the best way for young boys to avoid conforming to the Man Box, was to learn from male role models how to embrace their emotions and treat women with respect. Psychologist Steve Biddulph highlights that observing male role models express and willingly communicate their emotions would allow young boys to adopt a ‘healthy manhood’ (ABC News, 2018). In my previous role as an Early Childhood Educator, I observed changes in the young boys when a compassionate and fun male educator joined our team. He encouraged the boys to express themselves and I saw a side to them I had not yet been privy to. This shows me that change is possible and that hopefully in the future we are closer to achieving gender equity. Based on these conversations and experiences, whilst I still believe we all have a role to play, I feel the biggest change needs to come from men.

Here is also an interesting article I found on how gender norms are already embedded in young children: https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/we-need-a-massive-rethink-on-the-way-we-raise-our-boys-20180529-p4zi6s.html

References

ABC News. (2018). Why psychologist Steve Biddulph wants to change the way we raise boys. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-11/toxic-masculinity-and-steve-biddulph-tips-for-raising-boys/9745760?sf189278310=1

The Men’s Project, & Flood, M. (2024). The Man Box 2024: Re-examining what it means to be a man in Australia. Melbourne: Jesuit Social Services. https://cdn.jss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/05144735/The-Man-Box-2024-7.1-LR.pdf

Please see some interesting resources I found!

Article – Women’s Family care Responsibilities, Employment and Health: Women’s Family Care Responsibilities, Employment and Health: A Tale of Two Countries | Journal of Family and Economic Issues (springer.com)

Podcast – Women Career and Family: A Conversation with Claudia Goldin: Claudia Goldin says "greedy" jobs have widened the gender pay gap : The Indicator from Planet Money : NPR

Forbes Article: Women Are Working More Than Ever, But They Still Take On Most Household Responsibilities (forbes.com)

Women more than men adjust their careers for family life | Pew Research Center

Here are some resources I found interesting :)

Mental Illness and LGBTQ+ Communities: LGBTQ+ Australians more likely to have experienced mental illness, new Australian Bureau of Statistics report reveals - ABC News

Questions on sexuality and gender have been cut from the 2026 census. Why are LGBTQIA+ people saying it's an omission? - ABC News

In Australia, the threat of homophobic violence lingers, and the danger is proving to be even more pernicious - ABC News

However, I often feel that television, media, and books do more harm than good by romanticizing or glamorizing abusive and toxic relationships, often labeling them as 'passionate' or 'fiery.' This portrayal can be misleading and dangerous, especially for impressionable young girls and women. It can create a distorted narrative that normalizes unhealthy dynamics and toxic relationships based on coercive control. This lecture also reminded me of the current controversies surrounding Coleen Hoover's book to movie adaptation of 'It Ends with Us'. A story based on the DV relationship between Hoover's mother and father. The media has stated that this movie essentially glorifies DV and that Blake Lively's (actress playing main character) comments about DV have been 'tone deaf'. Personally, I believe that it can be hard to portray DV in shows and movies without it being somewhat romanticized. I think that it can be difficult for the media to find a balance between raising awareness and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Please see resources I found interesting!

It Ends with Us - Blake Lively Backlash: Blake Lively has spoken out in the midst of the 'It Ends With Us' backlash | Marie Claire UK

The Blake Lively It Ends With Us Backlash Explained (marieclaire.com.au)

'Why didn't you just leave?': Domestic violence survivors explain why it's not that simple - ABC News

“Violence is Just an Expression of Love and Spontaneity”: Young Men’s Processes of Resistance to Change After a Dating Violence Prevention Program in Turkey | Journal of Family Violence (springer.com)

Early Warning Signs in abusive relationship | Dvassist

During the lecture, it was also interesting to observe how media and news outlets approached violence. When men commit violent acts, the media neutralizes their gender, opting for terms like "shooter," "psychopath," "kid," or "punk". However, when women commit acts of violence, their gender is always emphasized, becoming a central part of the narrative. As women, I believe we are often socialized to internalize much of our anger, taught to suppress or redirect it in more socially acceptable ways. In contrast, men are frequently permitted, or even expected, to express their anger through aggression or violence.

The video 'Unpacking the Man Box' really highlighted how dominant patriarchal systems, and toxic masculinity perpetuates the belief that men are somehow 'predisposed to violent tendencies' - absolving them of any true responsibility for their violence and destruction. Again, it creates a culture where male aggression is seen as inevitable rather than a product of societal conditioning. The media doesn't seem to address the root cause of these behaviours - instead they oversimplify the issue by focusing on superficial explanations like 'boys will be boys'.

A recent ABC article outlined that advocates in Sydney and Adelaide demand that violence against women should be considered a national emergency. This comes just after three women were killed in one week. Anthony Albanese has stated that male violence in Australia is an "epidemic". This underscores the importance of addressing the systemic issues that surround men and violence - gender norms, lack of emotional education toxic masculinity, and societal expectations that equate male power with dominance and aggression.

Here are some resources I found interesting!

Advocates demand violence against women be declared 'national emergency' - ABC News

A day on the frontline of Australia's domestic violence crisis - ABC News

Unpacking toxic masculinity with Dave Kramer - The Handy Guide

Toxic masculinity: Helping men understand the impact of their behaviour - ABC News

These expectations often create a culture where men feel they must be tough and self-reliant, where vulnerability is discouraged. As a result, they remain inexpressive in the face of pain and stress, neglecting their personal health. This leads to higher levels of stress and worsens both physical and mental health problems.

Therefore, it is as difficult to be a man as it is to be a woman. And who made it this way? We did, our culture and beliefs did that.

After the week two lecture, I realized that society’s norms, values and expectations shape the roles, behaviours and identities of women. But I fell into deep contemplation about why there are such societal gender norms and stereotypes. Where does this expectation come from? And it is found to be created and maintained through religion, cultural, political, and economic processes.

Historically, women’s identities and beauty have been closely tied to their roles as mothers and caregivers, with society often placing them in the confines of motherhood, domesticity, and caregiving. These roles have not only shaped how women are expected to behave but have also determines how they should look. The pressure to meet these ideals can be overwhelming, causing many women to struggle with body dissatisfaction as they attempt to live up to unrealistic standards that prioritize appearance over their health and well-being. This societal expectation often leaves women feeling inadequate, as their worth is unfairly linked to how well they fit these narrow definitions.

These unreasonable obligations and unrealistic definitions of beauty can significantly impact women's mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. The constant pressure to conform to these standards can create a sense of inadequacy and self-doubt, undermining their overall well-being.

The ‘right time’ to have a child feels open-ended to me. Some may think it’s appropriate to have a child at a younger age, while others think differently. Most importantly, it’s about our readiness to be a parent. If you’re not ready to be a parent, then it’s not the right time to have a child. Don’t get pregnant to avoid the need for an abortion and men are equally responsible.

This week, I was surprised to learn that abortion is increasingly viewed as a healthcare issue. It really shook me to the core, and I had a sleepless night after that tutorial. When we talk about gender equity, we’re advocating for justice. We have women seeking justice for females, men seeking justice for males. LGBTIQA+ and non-binary people have taken it upon themselves to raise their voices for justice. But for an unborn child, voiceless and innocent, they have to bear the brunt of their parents’ mistake, at the cost of their life. It’s merely viewed as a healthcare practice. Is this not an injustice to them? Well, it should be viewed from different angle because pregnancies can be dangerous at times like in intra uterine foetal death, hyperemesis gravidarum, eclampsia and pre- eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy and pregnancy with deformity.

Women are often judged more on their physical strength than their intellectual capabilities and are frequently seen primarily as home caretakers. Managing a household is far more complex than it appears. If women can excel in this role, they can certainly thrive in the workplace, provided they are given the same opportunities and support as men. It’s hard to believe that women still earn only about 89 cents for every dollar earned by men. Why is that? The answer isn’t as simple as physical strength, which is often used as an excuse. The reality is that men often strive to maintain their position at the top of the hierarchy. But we shouldn’t place all the blame on men, as this is a deeply ingrained cultural structure that has developed over generations.

The real question is, should we allow this to continue for generations to come? After all, men alone do not make a home. Women deserve to be paid the same as men, or perhaps even more, for managing the household after work, which is actually a shared responsibility. While many might argue otherwise, I personally do not feel good about undervaluing the person who gave birth to me.

Before this week’s lecture, I did not know much about Queer Theory or how it affects human health. At first, Queer Theory, which questions traditional ideas about gender and sexuality, seemed abstract and not very practical. But learning more about it has really opened my eyes to its impact on health practices and outcomes.

I realized that traditional health practices often stick to strict rules, assuming everyone fits into the same category which overlooks the unique needs of people who do not fit these norms. Because of this, individuals who identify outside traditional gender and sexual norms can end up with poor care and face more health issues. It’s now clear to me that these gaps in the health system can lead to significant problems in support and treatment.

Learning about Queer Theory’s impact on health care has been a real eye-opener for me. It’s clear that by including this perspective, we can make health care more inclusive and sensitive. When we recognize and address the unique needs of everyone, regardless of their gender or sexuality, we can build a fairer and more effective health care system for all.

I was quite surprised by the statistics on women killed by men that were presented during the lecture. The number is staggering, but what really caught my attention in the lecture was the suicide among men.

What might have gone wrong to cause more men to suicide? Are men mentally weaker compared to women? Well, in some cases this might be true, but I think it’s more of a social problem. In my week three diary, I mentioned that “Men are judged by how well they provide, succeed at work, or show strength.” These expectations can trap men into a narrow role. Even when men experience may be through domestic abuse, physical assault, or sexual violence, they often don’t come forward because of the associated stigma.

Trying to meet societal expectations while keeping their true feelings hidden can weigh heavily on men over time. This pressure can lead to feelings of worthlessness and even suicidal thoughts. Yet, because of the stigma (weakness), many don’t reach out for help, making their emotional and mental wellbeing even worse resulting in suicide.

This week, I really missed my work back in my country. I used to be a member of a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on child safety and domestic violence. During that time, I happen interacted with a woman in her late 30s who had two children. She had many questions to ask, and due to privacy concerns, I referred her to a policewoman to share her concerns. However, she insisted on sharing them with me. That’s when I knew she was the victim of domestic violence. She narrated a short story of her concern regarding the issue.

In her story, she said that she had placed all her trust in him before marriage. To her, he seemed perfect, charming, loving, and promised a life full of happiness. So, she decided to marry him, surrendering her heart and soul, believing that love would carry them through anything. However, that was only from her perspective, because soon after, the mask slipped because the love that once filled their home turned into harsh words and violence.

Midway through our conversation, I asked how long it had been. She replied that her eldest son is 8 years old, and the first incident occurred during the second trimester of her pregnancy with him. I was speechless. I asked, ‘Why didn’t you seek help?’ She said she feared being judged, seen as weak, or worse, that her image would be tarnished. Fortunately, with the help of RENEW (NGO), she was able to reclaim her life and is now an independent woman.

A recent ACB article about Alessa Dumbrill really shines a light on the lack of disability access in the streets of Adelaide. Alessa has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair - for her 21st birthday she wanted to plan a fun night out however 60% of the bars and night clubs she googled are not wheelchair accessible. Lack of wheelchair access in social venues isolates people - leading to a much broader issue as it impacts their mental health, social inclusion and overall wellbeing.

Reading these articles below I found that some of the most inspiring, resilient and compassionate people are those who have disabilities. Having a disability doesn't define them - instead it reveals their strength and adaptability to overcome hardships.

Please see more resources I found for further reading :)

ABC Article - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-19/night-out-adelaide-takes-weeks-of-research-disability-access-sa/104360768

NDIS ISSUES - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-04/ndis-access-amendment-legislation-wheelchair-disability/104034122

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-30/how-my-life-has-changed-since-i-became-an-amputee/104090002

PARALYMPICS: The Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020 can be the catalyst for change in how we view life with disability - ABC News

Research finds condom use for both men and women is influenced by the concurrent use of other forms of birth control (e.g. the pill and longer-acting contraceptives) (Ott et al., 2003; Watson et al., 2021). This is concerning as condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against sexually transmissible infections (STI) and pregnancy (Watson et al., 2021). Furthermore, Flanagan et al. (2021) found adolescent males can engage in ‘strategic silence’ in sexual encounters to prioritise their pleasure and force women to take responsibility for STI and pregnancy prevention. Therefore, what can we do to stop the sexual division of power (Flanagan et al., 2021) to ensure gender equity?

We must increase sexual health education in schools, as youth experiences and relationships can influence the dynamic of intimate relationships in adulthood (Flanagan et al., 2021). Furthermore, I hope medical advancements introduce more contraceptive options for men, such as their own pill. This way both men and women can have greater shared responsibility and choice over their own bodies without needing to solely rely on one another for pregnancy prevention; increasing gender equity.

The ‘Right Time’ to Have a Baby – thoughts and comments

I believe the ‘right time’ to have a baby differs for everyone. I am pregnant and studying full time, and for me this is the ‘right time’. Despite this being my ‘right time’, one person’s comment stuck with me, “I don’t know why you went to university if you’re just going to be a Mum”. Whilst yes, this is what I will be, I am also more than that; just like us who go to university are more than ‘a student’. We all have multifaceted identities that make us who we are. This experience demonstrates to me the societal expectations placed on women to 'choose' between motherhood, an education, or career, and encourages me to reflect on my biases to ensure I do not impose my beliefs onto others both in my personal life and professional practice.

Reddit Posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/dating/comments/191p8w7/why_do_some_men_not_want_to_use_a_condom/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/1daw5uc/why_dont_most_guys_like_to_wear_condoms/

References

Flanagan, E. A., Erickson, H. C., Parchem, S. J., Smith, C. V., Poland, N., Nelson, S. C., & Redman, S. D. (2021). Gender differences in attitudes and behaviors toward condoms and birth control among Chicago adolescents. World Medical and Health Policy, 13(4), 675-694. https://doi.org/10.1002/wmh3.422

Ott, M. A., Adler, N. E., Millstein, S. G., Tschann, J. M., & Ellen, J. M. (2003). The trade-off between hormonal contraceptives and condoms among adolescents. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 34(1), 6-14. https://doi.org/10.2307/3030227

Watson, C. J., McGeechan, K., McNamee, K., Black, K. I., Lucke, J., Taft, A., Haas, M., Peipert, J. F., & Mazza, D. (2021). Influences on condom use: A secondary analysis of women’s perceptions from the Australian Contraceptive ChOice pRoject (ACCORd) trial. Australian Journal of General Practice, 50(8), 581-587. https://doi.org/10.31128/AJGP-06-20-5489

I do not believe this promotes gender equity, as I feel it still places the primary responsibility onto birth mothers and even if fathers are employed, they can only access PPL if the birth mother can. How is this equitable? Would we accept this requirement if mothers could only access the payment if fathers were eligible? I understand it is different as mothers bear the responsibility of pregnancy and childbirth however, I cannot help feeling the current scheme limits ineligible fathers’ ability to bond with their child, transition into fatherhood, and provide practical support to mothers. Furthermore, I feel stay-at-home mothers with working partners may also experience additional challenges as they would not have the same level of support from their partners, compared to those eligible for Government PPL. This could also be compounded if their partner’s employer does not offer PPL. Perhaps to ensure gender equity in Australia we should take inspiration from Sweden’s PPL scheme, that allows either parent to take up to 480 days of paid leave (Nordic Co-operation, n.d.).

I acknowledge my opinions are biased as they are based on my own experience, and I recognise the importance of Australia’s PPL scheme in supporting women’s workforce participation; and as I am not working, I am not a target for the scheme. Furthermore, an important progression in Australia’s PPL scheme is that from 1 July 2025, parents receiving Government PPL will now also receive superannuation payments (Services Australia, 2024a; Dhanji, 2024). This should increase gender equity by reducing the superannuation gap between men and women.

Reddit Posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink/comments/14wmwp8/very_confused_about_paid_parental_leave/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink/comments/187e6t0/can_i_claim_parental_leave_pay_if_wife_not_working/

References

Department of Social Services. (2023). Enhanced paid parental leave for families. Regulation impact statement. Australian Government. https://oia.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/posts/2022/03/Publish%20Version%20-%20PPL%20Enhanced%20Paid%20Parental%20Leave%20for%20Families_RIS%20FINAL_0.pdf

Dhanji, K. (2024, September 19). Parents receiving government paid parental leave to get superannuation from July next year. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-19/parents-to-receive-superannuation-on-paid-parental-leave/104366230

Nordic Co-operation. (n.d.). Parental benefit in Sweden. https://www.norden.org/en/info-norden/parental-benefit-sweden

Services Australia. (2024a). Work requirements. Australian Government. Retrieved August 28, 2024, from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/work-requirements-for-parental-leave-pay-for-child-born-or-adopted-from-1-july-2023?context=64479

Services Australia. (2024b). Budget 2024-25. Commonwealth Government-funded paid parental leave – Enhancement. Australian Government. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-05/budget-2024-25-raising-kids-1.pdf

This week’s lecture also reminded me of an article I read comparing the Government’s proactive response to the 2014 ‘One Punch Can Kill’ campaign to end senseless violence, to their limited immediate action to end violence against women (Madigan, 2023). The article includes a powerful quote from MP Zali Steggall, “When two young men died, the New South Wales government introduced mandatory sentences for one-punch attacks…But when the Australian men kill Australian women, the government's National Plan is to take ten years." So, what will it take for a campaign against DV to prompt immediate and effective Government action like ‘One Punch Can Kill’?

This week’s discussion also encouraged me to reflect on my placement with child safety, where almost all mothers in contact with the Department had experienced or were experiencing DV. On multiple occasions I listened to women’s experiences and what they would do to protect themselves and their children. However, Douglas and Walsh (2010) found child protection officers can blame women for the DV perpetrated by their partner and place the responsibility of ending the violence onto them. I did not witness this first-hand although, I did observe blaming language written in case notes. As I would like to work in child protection in the future, it is crucial I recognise the gendered nature of DV and how this is underpinned by structural and societal inequalities (Kuskoff & Parsell, 2020) to ensure I do not perpetuate gender inequity or victim-blame.

‘One Punch Can Kill’ Articles:

Madigan, N. (2023, November 14). The question MP Zali Steggall posed in Parliament that every woman is asking themselves. Mamamia. https://www.mamamia.com.au/men-stop-domestic-violence/

I also found another article about a Queensland Coroner who was advocating for a similar ‘One Punch Can Kill’ style campaign for choking and strangulation in DV:

Caldwell, F. (2018, April 3). Coroner calls for ‘One Punch Can Kill’-style campaign for choking in domestic violence. Brisbane Times. https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/coroner-calls-for-one-punch-can-kill-style-campaign-for-choking-in-domestic-violence-20180403-p4z7lu.html

References:

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). Intimate partner violence. Australian Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/types-of-violence/intimate-partner-violence

Department of Social Services. (2022). National plan to end violence against women and children 2022-2032. Australian Government. https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/10_2023/national-plan-end-violence-against-women-and-children-2022-2032.pdf

Douglas, H., & Walsh, T. (2010). Mothers, domestic violence, and child protection. Violence Against Women, 16(1), 487-613. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801210365887

Kuskoff, E., & Parsell, C. (2020). Striving for gender equality: Representations of gender in “progressive” domestic violence policy. Violence Against Women, 27(3-4), 279-614. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077801220909892

Pease, B. (2014). Theorising men’s violence prevention policies. In N. Henry, & A. Powell (Eds.) Preventing Sexual Violence (pp. 22-40). Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137356192_2

I was impressed by the girl’s courage; however, I feel she will remember her mum silencing her. I believe her mum’s proclamation of heteronormative ideas are likely to instil gender stereotypes and binary thinking in her daughter, which may persist throughout her life. This is concerning as Ryan (2016) found primary-aged children often view heteronormative perspectives as ‘common sense’ which can silence queer-inclusive sexualities. Like the incident I described, I believe heteronormative teachings start at home which ripples out into communities, developing a heteronormative society that perpetuates gender stereotypes. This inadvertently affects the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ peoples and communities, and also impacts children, who are still discovering their own identities and way of being in the world.

Therefore, what can we do to disrupt heteronormativity and challenge gender stereotypes to ensure gender equity and make spaces LGBTQIA+ inclusive? Adopting a queer theory lens, we must recognise the social construction of gender, sexuality, and identity. I also believe parents need to demonstrate acceptance, actively listen to their children, and not enforce their own gender stereotypical beliefs. Furthermore, schools must promote awareness and acceptance of diversity to students, and develop educational policies and procedures that challenge the dominant discourses of heteronormativity and gender (Steck & Berry, 2018). Our children are the future of society, and I am hopeful that creating inclusive and non-heteronormative environments for them would encourage societal change and support gender equity.

References

Ryan, C. L. (2016). Kissing brides and loving hot vampires: Children’s construction and perpetuation of heteronormativity in elementary school classrooms. Sex Education, 16(1), 77-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681811.2015.1052874

Steck, A. K., & Berry, D. (2018). Challenging heteronormativity: Creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQ students. Journal of School Violence, 17(2), 227-243. https://doi.org/10.1080/15388220.2017.1308255

Mooney’s narrative around substance use emphasizes how systemic neglect and marginalization of these communities can force them into harmful coping strategies. Bret spoke about how the community mainly used marijuana and alcohol however once that would essentially 'stop working' - people would turn to methamphetamines. The lecture made me question broader systems (laws, police, justice system) in perpetuating these cycles of intergenerational trauma and addiction. What services are failing, and how are they contributing to the poverty and addiction in Indigenous communities? I couldn't help but think about how addiction is often viewed through a criminal justice lens, particularly when associated with Indigenous people, rather than one rooted in public health and healing.

Brett discussing the intersections of being Black, Indigenous, and Queer in a city like Brisbane made me realize how difficult it must be to navigate these conflicting identities. Being part of multiple minority groups can lead to a profound sense of displacement, especially when you add the cultural nuances of being LGBTQIA+ in Indigenous communities. The traditional cultural views of gender and sexuality often always clash with contemporary views - this makes it even more difficult for Indigenous gay youth to receive acceptance and support from their families.

Here are some resources I found interesting :)

Black Queerness: A Mutually-Assured Construction – Indigenous

Blak pride celebrations in northern WA mark 'historic' festival for Indigenous LGBTIQA+ community - ABC News

Black Divaz documentary illuminates what it means to be Indigenous and queer in Australia - ABC News

The Mental Health and Well-Being of Indigenous LGBTQ Young People | The Trevor Project

Queer, transgender, black, and/or indigenous people of color experiences in substance use disorder counseling: Enhancing qtbipoc counseling care. (apa.org)

To understand the extent of the media's impact on women's health, we must first ask ourselves how women are portrayed in the media. When I think of women in the media, I think of weather girls, reality TV show hosts, Instagram models, and influencers. I consider the physical and mental qualities I associate with the profession. My first thoughts are their bubbly, non-cholent, always laughing at jokes, airheads, thin, conventionally attractive, perfect teeth, manicured, polite, fake eyelashes, and fake tan. While I acknowledge that this is a surface-level assumption, I ask myself why I have this idea: why do I associate these job types with such? The conclusion I came to was that the sexualisation of women is so normalised, as well as stereotypical ideas founded in discourse. At first, I thought it wasn't that bad, so I looked up some advertisements; here are a few I found.  

Fragrance of Femininity: Hyper-sexualization of Young Girls in Advertisements · Fall 2022, Section B (pubpub.org)

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpilerats.com%2Fwritten%2Flight-easy%2Flynx-says-no-to-girls-as-sex-objects-in-their-ads-along-with-400-other-brands%2F&psig=AOvVaw3lsr80jqxOt2wFfCVU5Nn1&ust=1727880324078000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIjAq_i17YgDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fkendallsmithtv%2Fp%2FCNQeK3OA7Y3%2F&psig=AOvVaw0kY0UMRrPv2BS9m70FVf7F&ust=1727880376646000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMj_sJK27YgDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fstudent%2Fnews%2Fklara-cosmetics-petition-petition-against-australian-cosmetics-company-who-indirectly-supports-sexual-assault-towards-women-gathers-pace-10304682.html&psig=AOvVaw0YHINLOtt2lZwr9rO6GHBb&ust=1727880409465000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCKCwhqG27YgDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE

I was shocked at the subliminal and conscious messages sent to viewers and the plethora of advertisements I could have selected. Girls and women of various ages are subjected to these ideas, making me wonder how they impact health.  

A study by Women's Health Victoria 2018 states, “Girls and women who are regularly exposed to sexually objectifying media content are more likely to internalise unrealistic appearance-related ideals. This contributes to disordered eating, reduced satisfaction in sexual relationships and reduced participation in physical activity and exercise” The study also states, “When men are exposed to images that objectify women, they are more tolerant of sexual harassment and interpersonal violence. Men are depicted as intelligent, smart and powerful (McKenzie M, Bugden M, Webster A, Barr M, 2018).

The study's conclusions are clear: the construction of female identity in media is harmful. There is a disconnect in how both genders are represented. Some of this stems from traditional roles where women are submissive, caretakers and well-maintained. It shows young women and older that value is derived from appearance, further perpetuating a cycle of bullying and alienating other women who do not fit inside the stereotypical beauty standards and that successful women in media fit inside this box.

It is eye-opening, and I am sure that every time I see an ad or media piece, I will think back to this unit and what the media promotes for women. Practitioners must be aware of the impacts and use a feminist lens to understand how this may affect social roles and the construction of individuals' behaviours.

McKenzie M, Bugden M, Webster A, Barr M (2018) Advertising (in)equality: the impacts of sexist advertising on women’s health and wellbeing. Women's Health Victoria. Melbourne. - (Women's Health Issues Paper; 14)

This comment from Week 8’s lecture encouraged me to consider whether the glorification of violence in men’s sport contributes to societal beliefs that men ‘want’ to grow up and be aggressive. I believe the glorification of men’s violence in sport inadvertently perpetuates toxic masculinity, as men may feel more pressure to conform to societal norms of ‘being a man’ and suppress their emotions, negatively impacting their mental health. I feel this may also impact women’s health and wellbeing, as men may feel more pressure to be violent, in control, and superior to women, aligning with the ‘Man Box’ rules.

I do not watch sport however, I have friends who adamantly watch the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) which I believe strongly glorifies men’s violence as most spectators want to see blood, pain, and knockouts. I found a reddit post that speculated UFC was the modern day form of barbarian combat, to which someone replied was precisely why people loved watching the sport. I also came across a TikTok captioned ‘The Beauty of Violence’ which showed a compilation of slow motion UFC action shots. I find this glorification of men’s violence deeply concerning and wonder how this impacts men being victims and perpetrators of violence.

Men’s Mental Health

I also accessed the ‘Man Up’ (2016) website from the lecture and was shocked to learn more than 75% of suicides in 2015 were accounted for by men. This statistic is still relevant today as Life in Mind (2024) declares that of the 3,000 lives lost to suicide per year, 75% are men, and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2023) reported that in 2022 a total of 2,455 men died by suicide, compared to 794 women. I feel male mental health and suicide prevention is often ignored and is instead glossed over with phrases like ‘Yes, this is bad and needs to be addressed, but…’. To address this, I believe it is paramount we work collectively to advocate for men’s suicide prevention and challenge dominant social ideologies (including the patriarchy, toxic masculinity, and the glorification of violence) to improve men’s mental health; aiming to enhance gender equity.

Social Media Posts:

https://www.reddit.com/r/unpopularopinion/comments/124445c/fighting_sports_like_ufc_are_barbaric_and_should/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sportedits1409/video/7232389018502171931?_r=1&_t=8q7jlHQv6KW

References:

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023). Causes of Death, Australia: Statistics on the number of deaths, by sex, selected age groups, and cause of death classified to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/causes-death/causes-death-australia/latest-release#key-statistics

Life in Mind. (2024). Suicide prevention: Populations disproportionately impacted by suicide: Men. Everymind. https://lifeinmind.org.au/suicide-prevention/priority-populations/men

Man Up. (2016). The Stats. The University of Melbourne. https://manup.org.au/the-facts/thestats/

Hearing that caesarean sections were the ‘norm’ for WWPD in Vietnam due to doctor’s orders, encouraged me to reflect on my own experience as an able-bodied pregnant woman in Australia. At an antenatal appointment I learnt that I could elect to have a caesarean section. This is in stark contrast to the pregnant WWPD in Vietnam, who were stripped of their agency and not provided the opportunity to make decisions regarding their own healthcare. This makes me recognise my privilege, as I am not only provided the opportunity to engage in collaborative decision-making regarding my healthcare however, I also have access to information and resources if I feel the need to question my doctor’s recommendations.

This lecture encouraged me to reflect on intersectionality and how dominant discourses and socio-cultural beliefs can perpetuate stigma, contributing to discriminatory healthcare practices for WWPD. I believe advocating for the rights of WWPD is paramount to disrupt harmful societal beliefs, and it is important policy makers increase access to education and provide opportunities that allow for active and equal participation for WWPD. Moreover, in my future practice I aim to collaboratively work alongside women with a disability to ensure I foster their agency and do not exert my own power.

References:

Nguyen, A., Warren, N., Whittaker, A., & Gardner, J. (2024). The pathways to reproductive health education for women with physical disabilities in Vietnam. Sexual & Reproductive Health, 41, 101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2024.101009

Moreover, I also came across a reel on Instagram that that said “How is it not Headline news EVERYWHERE, That every single Gold medal for Australia so far has been won by women”. And why is it? And then when they do headline our women, it’s criticising news like the Matilda’s getting knocked out of the Paris Olympics and the Women’s Rugby sevens team getting defeated by Canada in the Semi-Finals. AND that’s not just it. The comments sections are filled with misogynist men who’ve resorted to posting homophobic comments regarding the loss of both teams in the Olympics. When does it stop?   

This week on men’s health added critical perspective onto women’s health and shows the correlation as to how this binary system affects on another. I’ve learnt that there is this apparent gendering that happens during utero and the cultural expectation that is placed upon newborns and during their upbringing. These gender roles and stereotypes are ingrained into our society, but I’ve discovered that this looks very different in other cultures. In Australia, we attempt to achieve equality and equity but are challenged with the historically entrenched rooted systems that enforces the idea of what men and women are and should be. We also had a look at toxic masculinity and the topic of violence and anger, and how this harmful to not only towards women but men as well.

This week’s topic is aligned to our podcast topic on toxic masculinity which enables me to share onto what I have researched and discovered. I’ve recently started briefly reading ‘Toxic Masculinity in the Ancient World’ by Melanie Racette-Campbell and Aven McMaster, and how the authors explain the concept of masculinity in ancient Greek and Roman culture and how it has shaped and continues to influence modern ideas of gender and masculinity. This book looks at events in an intersectional lens and one thing that made me interested was the term toxicity is linked to ‘hegemonic masculinity’ is taken by men who lack other forms of hegemonic power due to their class, race, ethnicity, religion and some life experiences such as addiction, imprisonment or homelessness. This relates to how it’s important to not only to have equality and equity among men and women, but looks at other forms of determinants of health such as social class, financial health and ethnicity etc.

https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/qut/detail.action?docID=31174643

In this week, we discussed issues and hardship in regard to motherhood, access to healthcare, and social stigma that many women experience. This week covered a lot of areas to which I confess I have not much knowledge in considering that I’m a male and have no personal experiences when it comes to this topic. Learning more about what women go through made me realise that there needs to be more compassion, empathy and support towards these brave women on their choices. I’m very appalled that reproductive rights are still an ongoing issue that we must fight for. I strongly believe that no government and no one can tell us what to do to our bodies. I’m very fortunate that living in Australia, women have the rights to access the necessary health care they need whereas many women do not have those privileges or rights in other countries.

Looking at the current political view on abortion in U.S. healthcare, it’s an ongoing issue that highlights pro-life and pro-choice morality and logic. Historically, religion such as Christianity opposed the option to abort fetus in utero claiming it as murder but with the change of time, exceptions were made to the special consideration of the health of the pregnant individual, the health of the fetus or criminal cases. These ‘exceptions’ are complex to the subjected individuals with no many agreeing as to what is right or wrong. In a critical take, the issue of abortion ban and restriction to contraceptives and healthcare is fundamentally control and power over those who cannot have a say with what they can do with their bodies, which in this term would be men in power controlling women’s rights. Many of the main arguments made by pro-life are based on religious standpoint and only benefits men and detrimental to women’s health, and thus reinforcing this view that women are weak and submissive to their counterpart.

https://youtu.be/WV29R1M25n8?si=5iveAI4XkYlzAkuL

https://youtu.be/68aej2qmCtw?si=9zw96lHwwWCokmp1

After reviewing this week’s topic and discussion, I reflected on my upbringing coming from a low-income immigrant household and how money has been a factor that shaped my life. Growing up, both my parents worked low-income jobs but that has paid for a roof over our heads for me and my older siblings. Both my father and mother worked considerable number of hours, but I never understood the extra mile my mother worked in taking care of me and my siblings. My siblings and I were taught to be hyper-independent and fiscally responsible, pressured to apply for jobs while we were young. Not long, my parents divorced, and we were raised by our mother who was working as a single parent and had another baby along the way.  Whereas my father struggled to live on his own and having no one (wife) to take care of him and his health, and barely kept our emotional familial connection.

Discussing about inequity in pay and representation in the workforce didn’t really align to where I work. Though I had to consider I work in mainly hospitality over the years, most of my managers and peers were women. I even find women to be more competent, respectful and more successful than my male peers coming from an unbiased perspective. I’m fortunate to work alongside both women, men and non-gender conforming people who share the same values and goals even though we come from different backgrounds. In writing this reflection, I want to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and effort my mom raised me and to all women working everywhere and for bettering the future for all.

The Week 9 lecture discussed how women, especially those with disabilities, face many challenges due to poverty and societal roles. Neille and Penn’s (2017) article fits well with this topic, showing how these women are trapped in a cycle of difficulties. The lecture also highlights that gender roles and societal expectations make life hard for women, and having a disability makes it even tougher.

Neille and Penn’s (2017) in their article highlights how women with disabilities are more affected by poverty because society often sees them as less productive economically. This idea ties into the lecture’s discussion about women’s “triple role” working, taking care of the family, and community duties which makes it hard for them to escape poverty. Women with disabilities are often left out of jobs and education, making them more dependent on their families and more vulnerable to violence. The lack of accessible resources in developing countries makes this situation even worse.

Therefore, policies should be more focused on breaking these structural inequalities by ensuring that women with disabilities have equal access to education, employment opportunities, and social support systems. In fact, policies should prioritize women with disabilities.

Neille, J., & Penn, C. (2017). The Interface Between Violence, Disability, and Poverty: Stories From a Developing Country. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(18), 2837-2861. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260515596332

References

Clean Clothes Campaign. (2019). Rana Plaza. Clean Clothes Campaign. https://cleanclothes.org/campaigns/past/rana-plaza

Dugan, E. (2022, December 18). Workers tell of sweatshop conditions at Thai factory used by Tesco. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/18/workers-tell-of-sweatshop-conditions-at-thai-factory-used-by-tesco

Lang, H. (2021, September 16). How Fast Fashion Factories Trap Women and Girls in Poverty (And How We Can Help). Good on You. https://goodonyou.eco/fast-fashion-factories-trap-women/

We started off this week with some emotionally deep and traumatic content to many victims of domestic violence. I just want to begin that this is not a territory that I’m familiar with or have experienced. It’s almost in a way that it’s so strictly taboo for me think or discuss about, even though there are plenty of statistics out there and it’s a very ongoing issue. So, I bought this topic onto my social circle of women to gather their thoughts and feelings.

In our discussion, we all acknowledged that none of us had any experiences of encountering domestic violence considering each of us came from either non-traditional families or are fortunate to have socially progressive parents and healthy upbringing. Fear was a very heavy topic we swallowed as fear tactics and manipulation are methods that perpetuators use especially men against women. My peers discussed this universal collection of having to be in constant fear being out in about in public spaces and not specifically being in a relationship. I didn’t realise that my friends and many more women were consciously thinking about harm a man can do them, and it saddened me to hear that they also had the thought of what harm I can do. Reflecting from this, I think it’s important to discuss content of DV with women as you can never know the oppressors better than the oppressed themselves and that this feeling of being in constant fear not only resides in personal relationships.

I’ve been longing to for this week’s topic on queer theory as it is a very personal and of value to my identity and my life. I want to share my experiences and story as a reflection to this week’s topic. I grew up in an east Asian immigrant household and was raised in a traditional and religious upbringing, and it was not too long ago that I discovered my sexual identity and caused a struggle and disfunction between me and my family. It has been a traumatic and long healing journey for me and have given me enlightenment and

ability to self-actualise in who I am and my place in the world.

My experience has inspired me to take on public health as a life purpose to help other people in improving health and wellbeing for many young queer people. In an intersectional take, many queer people experience different barriers to gain access to healthcare or even recognition and respect as a human being. Even now, I’m still learning more about myself and continue to self-educate in human right issues in relation to queerness and advocate for equal rights for all.

Please find the media I have shared that I have found to be emotionally impactful.

Prayers for Bobby is a very emotional movie based on a true story and it combats religious views and stigma for gay men having to suffer spiritual abuse and physical violence.

https://youtu.be/HXyGQxxIwvw?si=OU6mMzNyofs3-KKU

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Week 8 – Men and Violence: Victims and Perpetrators

In addition to the topic of domestic violence against women, we looked at violence revolving men against men, women and themselves. I would refer to previous discussion on fear and anger in men which the book ‘Masculinity in the Ancient World’ best explains theories on the glorification of violence, anger and masculinity. This historical nuance is perpetuated through the means of social norms in dominant western culture which places men to fit into the ideal perception of what it means to be a man and to be masculine.

However, it is much more complex when taking subjective individual experiences into consideration. Having to hear stories, news, podcasts and discussions online on the topic of violence committed by men can be quite upsetting and appalling as often it’s quite easy to place men in this category that they are angry and needing to gain something. I believe that it’s not easy for men, for everyone in this world, to find themselves and to seek help and support and compassion. Suppression of emotions is one of the biggest things I was taught as a young boy, but I realised it was not healthy and in fact detrimental to my wellbeing. We still have a long way to go to deconstruct this view of what it means to be a man and I believe we need to support each other as society.

Week two’s lecture discussed the portrayal of women in the media, and how the media portrays women as subservient, hypersexualised and weak. This made me question how and why men unapologetically diminish women’s experiences and simultaneously privilege the experiences of other men. How does this influence how we view our mothers, sisters and friends? This made me reflect on how my view of women has changed from voluntary and unvoluntary media consumption. To which I think it has unfortunately changed for the worse – I found myself ignoring content about a woman sharing her happiness about overcoming her disordered eating but liking a man’s content about his hyper-fixation of his calorie intake and ‘discipline’ to eat ‘healthy’. I now consciously consume content, trying to avoid this negative content, but I still see content about real women being constantly depicted as villainous and men the victim when posts centre around domestic violence. I think this discourse was heavily influenced by the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial. I recently listened to the investigative journalistic podcast ‘Who Trolled Amber?’ which questioned why Amber Head faced so much vicious online hate because she committed domestic abuse, yet she also experienced domestic abuse in the same relationship. The podcast reveals how bot accounts are used to spread an agenda through platforms like X and TikTok. Alexi Mostrous, the podcast host said, “The complex constellation of disinformation networks might be impossible to map, yet their impact is obvious, right down to our own water-cooler conversations.” This scares me. The number of reported abuse in Australia has spiked in recent years. In 2021-22, 1 in 6 women had experienced physical and/or sexual violence by a partner (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). This implores the question as to how does media representation contribute to the treatment and ideas of women in society? If we continue to let the media torture the ideas of women, our society will continue to experience serious health inequalities and mistreatment of women. I hope we can disabuse the notion that the media has about women.

References:

Who Trolled Amber Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/13B88jdwemPtA09NmKHddP?si=646f581302664a3c

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, July 15). FDSV Summary. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/resources/fdsv-summary

Wk3: The Social Construction of Masculinity and Men’s Health

An Aussie bloke. Who is he? Is he a beer sculling, meat pie eating, Southern Cross tattooed tradie? Is this an Australian man?

In week three, what stood out to me was the socially constructed idea of an ‘Aussie bloke’ and how this is a determinant of violent culture, binge drinking and unhealthy eating. Looking at these unhealthy trends made me question why this culture is tolerated. Why is it the norm? What stood out to me was the Four’N Twenty meat pie ad. The ad depicts two working class men eating an unhealthy item whilst criticising two white-collar men for eating in a restaurant. For me, this ad aims to promote social class conflict and represent how eating unhealthy food is not only tasty, but also make you less of a ‘snob’. Unfortunately, in Australia, more children (63.9%) meet the fruit recommendation than men (41.6%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022). I remember when I was at school, my friend and I were going to a party and his mother encouraged him to take more alcohol to the party than he wanted so he would be more fun. Why is binge drinking still heavily encouraged?

I think change can be enacted by pursuing suitable educational means for different people. I think it is important to challenge the idea of an ‘Aussie bloke’, to raise the norm.

References:

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Dietary behaviour, 2020-21. Www.abs.gov.au. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/dietary-behaviour/latest-release

Four’N Twenty Ad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xosVGsrjFk

What stood out to me in this week’s lecture was the quote ‘you will not have a labour force or adequate human resources’ in reference to how total fertility rate potentially poses a problem for some countries.  

How does political and economic ideals influence the responsibility and healthcare options for women?

This point made think about how it mainly positions women to envision childbirth, not as a choice or opportunity, but as a necessity. This shows how for women in developing countries have to have children to take care of them when they’re old because their country cannot provide the resources to aid them (Nargund, 2009). Third world and developing countries also have high maternal and paternal mortality, and therefore reduction in birth rates (Nargund, 2009).

To me, this makes me question if, for women in developing countries have a ‘right’ time to have a child. What if their child is born with a permanent disability? I think in Australia, there is no ‘right’ time to have a child, but there is a thought to be a socially accepted/’appropriate’ time to have a child. Having a child in Australia is never usually thought of as a necessity or an alternative to healthcare when you’re older. I think this has shown me the disparities between countries; how Australia is quite developed regarding birthing healthcare, yet we have the opportunity to develop in so many way; compared to developing countries where childbirth is, in many cases, a necessity.

References:

Nargund, G. (2009). Declining Birth Rate in Developed Countries: a Radical Policy re-think Is Required. Facts, Views & Vision in ObGyn, 1(3), 191–193. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255510/

Wk5: Gender, Work, and Equality: Who gets paid, and who bears the cost of public and domestic work?

What interested me about this lecture was the statement and questions on slide 23 about the notion of ‘chivalry’ and the idea women as a goal or objective. I think I disagree with the whole quote, as it almost talks about men and women like the man is everything – he’s a lover, capable of expressing love like no one else can, and he’s strong because he will stop at nothing for this woman (even if she doesn’t want him?), and the women are just there – waiting for a man to come and collect them.

This quote reminded me of a couple that has been heavily referenced to in popular culture since 1985. Mario and Princess Peach – the heroic and ‘chivalrous’ man and the helpless damsel in distress. This view of Princess Peach was since changed in the recent Mario movie, where she is depicted as the fierce Mushroom Kingdom leader, which received criticism for changing this aspect of her character. I think the statement shared in the lecture, is still held today by people like Andrew Tate and contributes to an untrue and pompous idea that men are superior. Commonly, this view goes hand-in-hand with anti-feminist views. Has feminism killed romance? No, because it isn’t romantic for a woman to be compliant for a man because he “expressed [love] in more delicate and sincere language”. I think if people hold onto deeply misogynistic views about love and relationships, then it promotes superior and unhealthy views about women which translates to the poor treatment of women in day-to-day lives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rj-FDusNjA (23:00 – 31 :20 minutes)

In this week’s lecture, what stood out to me the most was the historical ideas and trends concerning sexual abuse. What shocked me the most was the 1920’s and 30’s Psychoanalysis development of the myth that women derive sexual gratification from the violence they experience (J Carrol, 2024). Also, how sexual violence is a “normalisation” in Australian Indigenous Communities (J Carrol, 2024).

“Old Man” is a song by an Australian artist, Stella Donnelly. This song depicts an unfortunately common story about how an older, married man with kids, sexually assaulted a younger woman, and when confronted about his crime he physically assaults her. In 2022, In Australia, 44% of sexual abuse was reported by females under the age of 18 (Australian Government, 2024). I think “Old Man” is quite a powerful and confronting song. The lyrics “so have a chat with your friends ‘cause it’s our words that will keep our daughters safe” really resonated with me. It is not uncommon to hear domestic and sexual violence jokes in pubs that are met with laughter. I think these lyrics are extremely important for all men to hear because this is an issue that all men must help to change, and it must start in conversation with your friends, with your family, with your coworkers. I think if you change your language, you can change the culture and you can change the statistics.

References:

Australian Government. (2024, February 15). Child sexual abuse. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. https://www.aihw.gov.au/family-domestic-and-sexual-violence/types-of-violence/child-sexual-abuse#police

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5rug_Z5BWA – Stella Donnelly “Old Man”

Wk7: Queer Theory and Practice

In the lecture about queer theory and practice I found Halperin’s idea that “queer theory has now become normalised, institutionalised ‘absorbed into our (largely heterosexual) institutions’ of knowledge” to be really thought provoking (QUT, 2024). Although he wrote this in 2003, his statement and reasoning provided are now more than ever, true. I think it is true because the idea of being queer has become a marketing strategy often used in entertainment to draw in a larger viewership. This strategy is labelled ‘queerbaiting,’ and it’s where creators of a show or movie hint at, but do not depict a character to be LGBTIQ+ (Elias, 2022).  

I think queer baiting is so close to being a good thing, but it fails to be anything good because it hijacks the ‘strange’ and ‘unusual’ qualities of being queer and disrespects queer people to financially benefit themselves.

I think being queer is a mainly accepted idea in contemporary times, so I ask myself is it queer to believe in queer theory? Isn’t there more to destabilise, deconstruct and question?

References:

Elias, M. (2022, November 4). What is “queerbaiting” and how did the internet turn it into a weapon? SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/article/what-is-queerbaiting-and-how-did-the-internet-turn-it-into-a-weapon/hs4olvn62

The St Kevin’s Scandal video really made me feel annoyed about the unchanging sexist and violent cultures of private boy’s schools. I went to an all-boys private school, and the behaviour in ‘The St Kevin’s Scandal’ was not dissimilar to any other private school. These sexist ideas are born from violence. Violence on the field or basketball court at lunchtime. Violence against other schools at sporting events. This embedded violent culture is not something that is forgotten about as soon as they leave school, it follows and impacts many relationships and opportunities. In 2018 a report examined Australian university and college hazing rituals, which presents shocking rituals that are sexist, sadistic and violent (Knowles, 2018). The most shocking part of the report is how a young man committed suicide, and the parents believed he did so because of the extreme hazing rituals (Knowles, 2018).

Another violent ‘trend’ in Australia is the coward’s punch and although it is a decreasing trend, it still shocks me how it is still committed. What are we teaching boys about violence?

I think this culture is not being as addressed as it should be. From 2024-2028, private schools will be overfunded by $2.1 billion compared to public schools being underfunded by $31.7 billion from the government (SBS News, 2024).  

Is this violent culture what we want our government to fund?

References:

Knowles, L. (2018, February 25). Grieving parents back calls to criminalise “sadistic” university hazing. Www.abc.net.au. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-26/report-into-university-colleges-reveals-bizarre-rituals/9478036

SBS News. (2024). As high as $7k per student: The funding gaps between private and public schools revealed. SBS News. https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-funding-gap-between-private-and-public-school-students-revealed/losih77r0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAymH90DE6U – St Kevins College sexist chant

Wk9: Women and Poverty – Global Perspectives on Gender and Health

I think this lecture about poverty was really eye opening to me because it showed me the drastic levels of poverty and how it impacts women. Before, I thought poverty mainly concerned the lack of financial resources to afford housing, food and clothes. What I learnt from this lecture was the idea of period poverty and social poverty. These were two things I never thought to consider when thinking about poverty. Specifically, as a man, I don’t think I’ve ever thought about the importance of hygienic menstrual products. Even at my workplace, there is a donation box for period care items, yet it’s something I haven’t thought about before. UN Women discuss gender-blind policies and tax laws on feminine products (UN Women, 2024). I think it’s a bit jarring that I didn’t know what period poverty was until this lecture even though I see a donation box three times a week.

I also learnt what social poverty is. Social poverty comes from the lack of trustworthy, quality and dependable relationships (Halpern-Meekin, 2020). This state of social isolation deprives someone of the resources to address their issues. Unfortunately, in poorer countries those who experience poverty commonly experience social poverty, to which both contribute to suicides and suicide attempts (Halpern-Meekin, 2020). I think I have been blind to these issues that are in my communities, but this lecture has introduced and explained period and social poverty to me.

References:

Halpern-Meekin, S. (2020). Social Poverty and Relational Resources. Contexts, 19(2), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536504220920195

UN Women. (2024, May 24). Period poverty – why millions of girls and women cannot afford their periods. UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/explainer/2024/05/period-poverty-why-millions-of-girls-and-women-cannot-afford-their-periods

After the discussions we had in the tutorial this week, I looked a little more into media representation of male mental health which led me to this article that discusses the rise of "Sad Boy TikTok,”. Sad Boy TikTok is a genre on social media where men of all ages share content expressing emotional struggles, as well as their struggles with loneliness and depression. While traditionally men have been reluctant to express vulnerability like this, this content is resonating with millions of men and creating a form of alternative therapy for men. While Mental health advocates argue it helps break down the stigma around male mental health, some have concerns about the impact these online negative feedback loops can create. Some Experts stress the need for healthier discussions around these topics and increased support. I’m seeing more and more of this type of media content online and think it is something to keep my eye on.

This week's topic of abortion care got me thinking about how the topic of abortion is a big deal right now with the Queensland state election coming up soon. this year abortion rights have become a major issue for this year’s election. This is because the Liberal National Party (LNP), led by David Crisafulli, faces criticism from unions and activists, fearing that a potential LNP government could potentially roll back abortion rights. While Crisafulli has claimed to rule out reviewing abortion laws during the first term, the concerns remain due to the conservative stance of many LNP members. Activists are pushing for a clear commitment from the LNP to maintaining current abortion laws and access to reproductive healthcare services in Queensland. While The Guardian isn’t necessarily a news source I trust as a consumer it lays out the concerns surrounding LNP and the potential changes to Abortion care which we all know is a necessary and often time critical facet of the healthcare system.

This week's lecture about gender equality and work got me thinking about the gender pay gap and how I had heard that it was at an all-time low. it led me to this article takes an in-depth look into Australia's gender pay gap, which has reached a record low of 11.5% in 2024. This improvement has been attributed to growth in women’s earnings and reforms implemented by the government. However, despite the progress that has been made, there are still disparities that persist across industries and sectors. This indicates that there is still much more work to be done to achieve full and genuine gender pay equality. While it is reassuring to see the changes being made are making a difference in closing the wage gap this article shows that while there are drops in lots of industries, there are some industries that have demonstrated increases in the wage gap between men and women. Additionally, there are also some industries where there have been no changes in the pay gap. The industries where there have been no changes or increases are the fields where it is much harder for women to break into.

One thing that really hit me was the connection between these portrayals and women’s mental health. It’s no wonder that so many women struggle with body image issues or feel pressure to meet impossible standards. The media’s obsession with youth and beauty, along with the glamorization of violence against women, reinforces unhealthy dynamics. I hadn’t considered before how advertising and media can desensitize people to these harmful portrayals. This made me question my own media consumption and how often I’ve passively accepted these messages.

Going forward, I feel more aware of the need to challenge these representations. I think there’s a lot of potential for change if more people become critical of the media they consume. It’s important for us to demand more realistic and diverse portrayals of women that go beyond stereotypes. I also found TED Talks like Tracey Spicer’s The Lady Stripped Bare and documentaries like Miss Representation helpful for understanding how media affects women’s roles in society.

https://www.socialeurope.eu/social-media-the-harms-to-women-and-girls

One aspect that really stood out to me was the concept of toxic masculinity, which describes how societal pressures to appear tough, emotionless, and aggressive harm men’s physical and mental health. Before this lecture, I hadn’t fully realized how deeply ingrained these pressures are and how they start from a young age. It made me reflect on media portrayals of men as “tough” or dominant and how these images reinforce unrealistic and harmful ideals. For example, movies and advertisements often glorify aggression as a sign of strength, which can prevent men from seeking help when they need it most.

What I learned from this lecture was that reshaping masculinity to focus on emotional openness and community support could significantly improve men’s well-being. The Men’s Sheds example, where men gather to build relationships and support one another, showed me that positive masculinity does exist, and it can be powerful in improving health outcomes. In my opinion, promoting gender equality benefits men just as much as women, as seen in countries like Iceland, where men’s health improves alongside gender equity. Moving forward, I’m interested in how we can challenge and change these harmful gender norms to promote healthier, more balanced lives for all genders.

https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/679/1/Health%20and%20the%20social%20construction%20of%20masculinity%20in%20Men%E2%80%99s%20Health%20magazine.pdf

The lecture’s discussion on abortion was equally eye-opening. It’s troubling how abortion is still framed as a moral rather than a health issue, with ongoing debates in places like the U.S. and Australia illustrating the continued struggle for women’s reproductive rights. This made me reflect on the societal pressures that dictate when women should have children, often to their detriment, especially for those who choose to have children later in life.

I was particularly interested in the conversation around teenage pregnancy. While society often views it negatively, the reality is that socioeconomic factors, lack of education, and limited opportunities can significantly shape these outcomes. It challenged my assumptions and made me consider how public policies could better support young mothers, rather than stigmatize them.

The lecture reinforced for me the importance of gender equity in family planning decisions. I feel strongly that we need to advocate for policies that support women’s choices, regardless of their timing. The intersection of societal expectations and personal choice is complex, and addressing gender inequality is essential for improving women’s health and rights globally. I believe that embracing feminist principles can create positive changes in reproductive health, ensuring that women have the autonomy to make informed choices about their bodies and lives.

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/overview-and-demographics/state-and-territoryhttps://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/mothers-babies/australias-mothers-babies/contents/overview-and-demographics/state-and-territory

this week's lecture about DV got me thinking about the Psychological effects of DV. which led me to this article that discusses new data from Victoria, which reveals a strong link between family violence and suicide. This shows that a significant proportion of individuals who died due to suicide between 2009 and 2016 had experienced or perpetrated domestic/family violence. The study emphasizes how common it is for men who died by suicide to have previously been involved in family violence, either as perpetrators or victims. A significant number of these cases involved intimate partner violence. The research highlights the need for better interventions and support for individuals dealing with family violence, as it is often a contributing factor to suicide. The data can be used to guide future policy decisions to address not only family violence but also mental health when it comes to suicide prevention efforts. I found this study to be a surprising insight into the impact that DFV has on people outside of the obvious dangers.

The statistics on the gender wage gap were alarming, especially in light of the persistence of these disparities in the workforce. I learned that not only do women earn less for the same work, but they also face a superannuation gap that threatens their financial security in retirement. This systemic issue underlines how crucial it is to advocate for policy changes that support equal pay and better working conditions for everyone, not just women.

Additionally, the lecture pointed out that legislation like the Sex Discrimination Act and Paid Parental Leave policies exist, yet they aren’t always effective in closing the gender gap. This led me to question what more can be done to create a truly family-friendly workforce that accommodates all parents.

Overall, I believe that addressing gender inequality in the workplace requires a multifaceted approach, including not just legal reforms but also cultural shifts in how we perceive work and family responsibilities. By encouraging more equitable sharing of both paid and unpaid labor, we can begin to dismantle the stereotypes that have held back progress for so long.

https://www.wgea.gov.au/the-gender-pay-gaphttps://www.wgea.gov.au/the-gender-pay-gap

One aspect that struck me was the health consequences linked to domestic violence, such as chronic pain, mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and poor reproductive health outcomes. The World Health Organization’s findings connecting domestic violence to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies highlight the urgent need for a public health response. I was particularly moved by the personal stories shared from women in different countries, as they shed light on the emotional and psychological toll DV takes on individuals and families.

It was also eye-opening to learn about the historical acceptance of domestic violence and how cultural norms have perpetuated this issue. The feminist movement has played a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for legal reforms, yet many laws still focus narrowly on heterosexual relationships. I believe that broadening the legal definition of domestic violence to encompass various forms of abuse is essential for providing better support to victims.

Overall, the lecture made me reflect on the importance of education, awareness, and systemic change in addressing domestic violence. It’s clear that this issue is not just a private matter but a public health crisis that requires a collective response. Moving forward, I am interested in how we can advocate for more inclusive policies and support systems that address the root causes of domestic violence and provide resources for those affected.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17189508/

This week's discussion on Queer theories got me thinking bout the lack of representation we have in our census and the on going lack of willingness to fix the issues. This article discusses the frustration and disappointment felt within Australia's LGBTIQ+ community over omissions in the national census. Particularly when it comes to the lack of questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity in the upcoming census. Despite promises that future censuses would better capture the diversity of Australia's population. The LGBTQ+ community continue to feel excluded because critical questions relating to their identities were left out of the 2021 census. This exclusion has wide reached implications, as the absence of detailed data on LGBTIQ+ individuals can affect policymaking and the allocation of resources. Particularly policies and resources aimed at supporting these communities. The article likely emphasizes the community's call for recognition and proper representation. Continuing to urge future censuses to include questions that address their unique experiences and identities.

this week's topic of men's violence led me to look more into the issue and this brought me to the following article.

The article discusses the role of Men’s Behavioural Change Programs (MBCPs) as a key strategy when it comes to reducing domestic violence. This approach focuses on changing the behaviours of men who are perpetrators. These programs aim to hold men accountable, challenge their violent or controlling behaviours, and provide them with tools to develop healthier relationships. The study mentioned in the article identifies areas for improvement in such programs. The suggested improvement includes better engagement with men, addressing gaps in service delivery, and ensuring that the programs are culturally appropriate and effective across diverse groups. The authors emphasize the need for continuous evaluation and improvement of MBCPs to enhance their effectiveness in preventing domestic violence and ensuring the safety of victims. While I don’t personally put too much faith in these types of programs. I do see the usefulness of programs like this, as people often need assistance to make changes like this to major behavioural and belief issues.

One concept that stood out was the idea of heteronormativity, which assumes heterosexuality as the default. This norm creates barriers for queer individuals when accessing services, as many practitioners may unconsciously perpetuate biases or lack the necessary knowledge to meet the specific needs of LGBTQIA+ clients. I was struck by the fact that traditional social work education often lacks LGBTIQ+ specific content, which limits practitioners’ effectiveness in serving queer communities. It made me reflect on my own biases and the importance of being aware of how they could affect my practice.

The challenges faced by queer individuals, such as microaggressions and fear of discrimination, really resonated with me. The idea of implementing microaffirmations—small acts that validate a person’s identity—seems like a powerful way to create a more inclusive environment. I also appreciated the focus on intersectionality and post-queer theory, which emphasizes the importance of considering the multiple identities individuals hold, such as race and class, when discussing sexuality.

In my opinion, integrating queer theory into public health and social work is essential for promoting inclusivity and equity. Practitioners must actively work to disrupt hetero- and cisnormative practices by using inclusive language and being conscious of the diverse meanings of queer identities. This lecture reinforced the need for a paradigm shift in how we approach service delivery, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their sexual or gender identity, feel seen, supported, and understood.

https://haenfler.sites.grinnell.edu/subcultural-theory-and-theorists/queer-theory/

this week's topic of women and poverty got me thinking about the ongoing issue of period poverty and its deep and ongoing impacts. This article discusses a survey that found one in five Australians have had to use improvised period products due to financial barriers. This points to "period poverty," a significant issue where people cannot afford menstrual products like tampons and pads. As a result, many people have to resort to using unsuitable alternatives such as suing toilet paper in place of a pad or using a single pad for longer than it should be. This can impact a person’s health, dignity, and participation in everyday life, such as work or school. The report emphasizes the need for policies or measures to make period products more accessible and affordable. Particularly by calling for government interventions or public campaigns to address period poverty in Australia. The findings additionally highlight how economic inequalities disproportionately affect menstruating individuals, leading to discussions around menstrual equity. We are beginning to see more and more conversations around this topic popping up in space that talk about wealth inequality but there has still been very little change.

It’s hard to reconcile my feelings about men and violence. On one hand, there are men who are perpetrators, whose actions can be brutal, senseless, and deeply harmful. They leave behind scars on society and individuals that can last a lifetime. I feel anger and frustration towards them, not just because of the damage they cause but also because it perpetuates the narrative that violence is inherent in masculinity. That idea bothers me deeply because it diminishes men who are gentle, kind, and compassionate.

On the other hand, I can’t ignore that men are often victims of violence as well—whether it’s physical abuse, emotional neglect, or systemic oppression. Society sometimes demands a hardened, invulnerable version of manhood that erodes their ability to express pain, vulnerability, or even fear. They suffer in silence, trapped in an identity that can be just as harmful to them as it is to others. That breaks my heart, too.

There’s complexity here. I see men both as participants in a violent cycle and as victims trapped within it. We need a different way forward, one that frees men from the chains of toxic masculinity and encourages vulnerability, healing, and accountability. Only then can we start to break the cycle and create a world where violence is no longer accepted as a natural expression of strength or power.

Poverty and women—it’s a cruel, cyclical burden. When I think about it, I see the faces of countless women, resilient yet trapped in systems that seem designed to keep them down. Poverty has a unique cruelty when it comes to women. It’s not just about the lack of money; it’s the layered oppression that comes with it—the expectation to care for children, families, and communities, often while receiving so little support in return.

Women, particularly single mothers, bear the weight of survival on their shoulders, stretching every dollar, sacrificing their own needs, and still, so often, it’s not enough. It feels deeply unfair that a woman can work endlessly, both in and outside of the home, and yet be stuck in the same cycle, unable to break free.

I think of how poverty strips women of choices. Choices about education, career, health, even their own bodies. It’s devastating. And for many women in developing countries, the impact is even harsher, where opportunities for advancement are scarce, and cultural expectations reinforce their poverty.

What breaks my heart most is how many of these women never stop fighting. They are the backbone of families, societies, economies—working tirelessly to give their children a better life, even if it means sacrificing their own dreams. But how long can a system keep taking from them without ever giving back?

It’s time for us to look at poverty as more than just a lack of money. It’s about power, opportunity, and access. And until we address the systemic inequities that keep women in poverty, the cycle will continue, generation after generation. I hope for