Thank you, Nan! I’m glad (and sad) this resonates. We can’t really tell women to ‘take control of your health’ without also naming the less visible burdens they carry. I do have so many examples of inspiring people, places, and reasons to be hopeful — but first, we need to be honest about the drivers of distress so we can begin to lighten this load.
Wonderful! I happen to be reading: Invisible Woman, Data Bias in a World Designed by Men. It’s very instructive as to why we know so little, still, about women’s bodies. Your argument about the effect of culture on our health reminds me of the opening to Malcolm Gladwell’s Outlier where he describes a small community in the US who lived longer, and had almost no cancer. They were our little blue zone for longevity. Turns out, the difference was all cultural attitudes. No diet, exercise or medical care. There were no displays of wealth, even though some had more and some were poor. People were allowed dignity and inclusion and were protected from shame. I think we don’t understand two things: 1. How big a part culture plays in health
Thanks Susan, I really need to read this book, I hadn't even heard of it. Is that evidence of how "invisible" issue is? (ha ha) Or that I have yet to come across all the illuminating books! I'm looking forward to reading it. I feel like many of us have been aware of this state of affairs for some time, and giving another nod to the marvellous Malcolm Gladwell, the "Tipping point" has come!
Love that! I can't recommend Invisible Women enough. Even though I knew... I guarantee she'll enter a topic you never thought of, like public transit, for example. All the ways that having the average male as the default human has led to harm for everyone.
I love the concept of Cultural Self-Worth! American culture fears aging - especially in regard to women. Thankfully, I reject that culture. Aging is simply different - with its own gifts and challenges. Of course I am going to fight looking, acting, feeling "old" (whatever that means) until my last breath, but my self-worth is not tied up in a number. And for that, I am grateful.
I knew you would stand beside this pillar Cathy! Like you, I sure know aging has some challenges, alongside the gifts, and seeing the "both, and" of it all is what I'd like to breathe into! And Yes! to *not tying self-worth to numbers*! Ages... marriages.. investment account balances... :)
OH MY GODDESS! This is phenomenal.
Does she have access to education? Maybe.
Does she have equal rights to men? Absolutely not, except in the micro-culture you've educated me about today
Does she retain value post-childbearing years? NOPE, barely. Even in a wealthy country such as the US. NOPE.
Does she have agency over her body, her finances, her choices? Are these rhetorical questions with the same answer to make a point?
Is she shielded from violence—or exposed to it daily? Oh, yes, I guess they are.
Brilliant, Dr. Heidi. Thank you.
Thank you, Nan! I’m glad (and sad) this resonates. We can’t really tell women to ‘take control of your health’ without also naming the less visible burdens they carry. I do have so many examples of inspiring people, places, and reasons to be hopeful — but first, we need to be honest about the drivers of distress so we can begin to lighten this load.
Yes! xo
Wonderful! I happen to be reading: Invisible Woman, Data Bias in a World Designed by Men. It’s very instructive as to why we know so little, still, about women’s bodies. Your argument about the effect of culture on our health reminds me of the opening to Malcolm Gladwell’s Outlier where he describes a small community in the US who lived longer, and had almost no cancer. They were our little blue zone for longevity. Turns out, the difference was all cultural attitudes. No diet, exercise or medical care. There were no displays of wealth, even though some had more and some were poor. People were allowed dignity and inclusion and were protected from shame. I think we don’t understand two things: 1. How big a part culture plays in health
2 How sick our culture is.
Thanks Susan, I really need to read this book, I hadn't even heard of it. Is that evidence of how "invisible" issue is? (ha ha) Or that I have yet to come across all the illuminating books! I'm looking forward to reading it. I feel like many of us have been aware of this state of affairs for some time, and giving another nod to the marvellous Malcolm Gladwell, the "Tipping point" has come!
Love that! I can't recommend Invisible Women enough. Even though I knew... I guarantee she'll enter a topic you never thought of, like public transit, for example. All the ways that having the average male as the default human has led to harm for everyone.
I love the concept of Cultural Self-Worth! American culture fears aging - especially in regard to women. Thankfully, I reject that culture. Aging is simply different - with its own gifts and challenges. Of course I am going to fight looking, acting, feeling "old" (whatever that means) until my last breath, but my self-worth is not tied up in a number. And for that, I am grateful.
Thank you for all the excellent information!!
I knew you would stand beside this pillar Cathy! Like you, I sure know aging has some challenges, alongside the gifts, and seeing the "both, and" of it all is what I'd like to breathe into! And Yes! to *not tying self-worth to numbers*! Ages... marriages.. investment account balances... :)
Great examples to add to the list...!