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Cultural constructs can negatively impact both men and women and their access to health. One of the clearest aspects of this is the concept of masculinity that can often become toxic and dangerous to men’s health. Here in Appalachia there exists a form of this dangerous cultural concept. This unique culture has developed a block against the government and government provided health care. 200 years of being lied to by the government and forced from their own land by coal companies has created a sense of individuality and the desire to fix themselves. Many of the health issues faced by the former coal miners of Appalachia arose from the greed and negligence of the Big Coal companies. So obviously, they would be against anyone approaching them with kind words and open clinics. As a result, many men are struggling with the continuing side effects of their time in the mines, like black lung or mine collapse injuries, but are entirely against turning themselves into hospitals for help. These men received help once and they were cheated. These men are entirely unwilling to go through that again. Therefore, the Appalachian culture is a prime example of how cultural constructs of both gender and government can block the access of individuals to proper healthcare.

Is sex sexist? In both modern, recent past, and ancient history, cultural views of sex have been highly dependent on gender and social class. It is not clear exactly when this so-called “sex divide” came to being, but one thing is clearly evident: it hasn’t gone away yet. This sex divide is unique in one very unifying way. While there are some cultural traits unique to the East, or unique to Africa, or unique to the West, sexist sex is one of the common traits across the globe and in most cultures internationally.

Worldwide, men are allowed to have as much sex as they want. While the West pretends to believe in the power of women, vaginas are still considered to be a land to conquer in the male culture. The desire to conquer and the respect that is tied with conquest has existed for men for as long as men have been trying to take each other’s land. This just conveniently translates into the bedroom as well. The more women a man conquests, the more respect he gets. One could argue that modern day male views on sex is just colonialism with a different face. Now, while men are considered conquering heroes if they have sex frequently, the other side of the sex divide does not have that luxury.

Women have become the subjects of men’s conquests. But like most things in history, nobody likes to examine the perspective of the conquered. So often, women are considered to be sluts if they have sex with more than one man. To enjoy the pleasure of more than one man leads to the whispers behind woman’s back and the public shaming that has become known as “slut-shaming.” The conquered aren’t supposed to conquer back! Feminists have been trying to change this perspective, teaching women that they can love their bodies and love having sex WITHOUT being a slut. However, feminists have to fight against thousands of years of male superiority before they can reach a place of sex equality.

Contraceptives/STIs – Survey 2017                                       

Answer the following questions:

The initial survey was given to a fellow cadet

• Where do you get most of your information about birth control?

 

_____family doctor      ____gynecologist     X___parent(s)       _____friends   _____ internet

 

____school clinic     ______other clinic (public health, family planning, etc.)

 

____stuff  I remembered from middle school or high school

 

____magazines (Maxim, Cosmopolitan, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, other)

 

• What contraceptive methods have you heard of? Check all that apply.

 

X male condom            __X__pill                     _X__emergency contraception (plan B)

 

____ patch                               ____ Depo-Provera (the shot)    ___X_ female condom

 

__X__Implanon (implant)                     __X__ IUD                              ___ foam/jelly/cream

 

__X__fertility awareness                      ___ withdrawal

 

• Compare the following birth control methods – condoms and oral contraceptives. Which is more effective?

 

__X___ male condoms          _____oral contraceptives                             _____ they are the same

 

• Which of the following would have the highest ‘effectiveness’ index?

 

__X___IUD                 _____ oral contraceptive                       _____ diaphragm

 

• Rank the following according to effectiveness (1,2,3 with #1 being most effective):

 

___2__oral contraceptive                      __3__vaginal ring                     __1__implant

 

• Rank the following according to effectiveness (1,2,3 with #1 being most effective):

 

__2___oral contraceptive                      __1__IUD                    __3__vaginal ring

 

• Which of the following could be used as a lubricant along with a male condom?

 

_ALL____vaseline (petroleum jelly)     ______mineral oil          _____water-based lube

 

• Which of the following are considered the most effective long-active and reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods? Choose all that apply?

 

__X___ IUD                            ____Implant                             ____ Shot

 

 

For the following, answer true or false (T or F):

 

1. Withdrawal is an effective method for birth control. True

 

1. Spermicides (eg, nonoxynol-9) are effective against HIV. False

 

1. Of all birth control methods, only latex, polyurethane (non-latex) male condoms, ‘natural (lambskin)’ male condoms, or female condoms are effective in lowering risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. True

 

1. Douches, when used immediately after vaginal intercourse, are effective in lowering the risk of pregnancy and STDs. False

 

1. Having sex while standing lowers the risk of pregnancy. False

 

1. Standing up immediately after sex lowers pregnancy risk. False

 

1. For men, circumcision has been shown to be effective in lowering the risk of getting HIV. False

 

1. For a woman, a circumcised penis is a ‘safe’ penis. False

 

1. For men, having sex with a virgin can cure AIDS. False

 

1. Only abstinence is 100% effective for preventing pregnancy as well as STDs. TRUE

 

1. Use of oral contraceptives for a period of years can lead to cancer. True

 

1. Women who smoke can safely use oral contraceptives. True

 

1. Oral contraceptives become less effective the longer one uses them. True

 

1. Menstruation (getting a period) is important because it cleanses the body and eliminates toxins. True

 

1. Spermicides can irritate vaginal tissue leading to increased risk of STDs including HIV. True

 

1. Having syphilis, HPV, or herpes lesions (sores) can make an individual more vulnerable to HIV True

 

1. Hormonal implants are not as effective as oral contraceptives. False

 

1. Women should take a break from oral contraceptives every once in awhile (eg, every few years) so that they don’t have problems conceiving when they want to.  True

 

1. IUDs cause infections at a high rate in women. True

 

1. Women who have not had a baby can’t get an IUD; this is especially true for young women (including teens). False

 

 

1. Hormonal contraceptives cause weight gain and/or mood swings. True

 

1. One can eliminate a period by taking oral contraceptives without placebos. False

 

1. The period one gets while on 21 day hormone/7 day placebo type oral contraceptives is a real period. True

 

1. Women don’t have to be concerned about pregnancy while on oral contraceptives. False

 

1. Oral contraceptives are effective in lowering risk of STDs. False

 

1. In case of emergency, plastic wrap or a balloon can be a substitute for male or female condoms. True

 

1. Oral sex (either direction) does not spread sexually transmitted infections because it’s not really sex. False

 

1. Pharmaceutical companies have used minority women as test subjects for contraceptives without their knowledge. True

 

1. Birth control pills are effective even if a woman misses taking pills 2 or 3 days in a row. You can just ‘double up’ once you remember. False

 

1. When using male condoms, the deflated penis with condom can remain inside the vagina (or anus) for up to 2 hours without any problem. False

 

1. Middle-aged women (>35 years) tend to be infertile and don’t really need birth control methods. False

 

1. As long as a woman is physically fit and eats right, she will be able to conceive easily in her 40’s. True

 

1. After a woman stops taking birth control pills, she is unable to get pregnant for several months to sometimes a year or more. True

 

1. The more vaginal intercourse a couple has, the more likely they can conceive a child. True

 

1. When putting on a condom, it is not necessary to leave a space at the tip. The tighter at the tip the better. False

 

1. It is okay to use petroleum jelly as a lubricant when using a diaphragm or condom. The ‘jelly’ also softens the cell layers preventing abrasion and potentially, infection. True

 

1. Two condoms are better than one: that is, male + female condom or two male condoms. False

 

1. Female condoms have been used for anal sex. True

 

1. Male condoms or latex gloves can be cut up and used as dental dams for oral sex to lower the risk of infection. False

 

1. Emergency contraception (plan B) is the same as abortion because an implanted embryo can become dislodged. False

 

1. Herbs and supplements can enhance the male erection. False

 

1. Healthy diet and regular exercise can prolong years of female fertility. True

 

1. Vaseline is an effective contraceptive if you don’t have anything else around. True

 

1. Because there’s no ovulation when hormonal contraceptives are used, a woman’s eggs are basically ‘frozen’ within the ovaries thus prolonging a woman’s fertility. False

 

1. Male and female sterilization (eg, vasectomy or tubal ligation) are pretty much reversible. False

 

1. Pregnancy can be prevented by breast feeding. False

 

1. Female orgasm is required for fertilization so if there’s no orgasm, there’s no chance of pregnancy. False

 

1. If a woman is on top, she can still get pregnant. True

 

1. You don’t need contraception if you only have sex during the “safe” time. You’re only fertile one day a month. False

 

1. You can get pregnant if it’s your first time having intercourse. True

 

1. Virginity is mythology. False

 

1. You won’t get pregnant if you take a shower or bath right after sex, or if you urinate right after intercourse. False

 

1. If you are using a long-acting, reversible contraceptive (eg, implant, IUD), you don’t have to use a condom. False

 

1. The pill is always effective immediately after you begin taking it the first time. False

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research these if you don’t know the answers: This section was filled out by me

 

1. Explain the difference between use effectiveness and theoretical effectiveness of a contraceptive.

Use effectiveness describes “how well a birth control method works in ‘typical use,’ taking into consideration human error and other non-ideal factors”, while theoretical effectiveness describes “how well a birth control method works when it is used correctly and when all other conditions are ideal ‘perfect use.’”

https://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/birth-control-pregnancy/birth-control-options/effectiveness

 

 

 

1. What is meant by a ‘barrier’ method? What are the different types? What is their effectiveness?

Barrier methods works by blocking sperm from entering the uterus. Examples include condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, and sponges. As far as effectiveness goes, this device fails 16 out of 100 users per year.

 

https://www.uhs.umich.edu/contraception-other

 

 

 

1. Rank the following as to use effectiveness of contraception where #1 is the most effective and #6 is the least effective. Give reasons for your ranking.

 

The pill	3
Abstinence	1
IUD – copper or progesterone	2
Withdrawal	5
Hormone injection (eg, Depo-Provera)	4
Male (or female) condom	6

 

 

 

4. Other than the IUD, what other method would be classified as long-lasting and reversible (note that this other method is not in the table above). Explain why IUD and the other method are referred to as long-lasting and reversible (LARC). Are these methods protective against sexually transmitted infections?

The implant is the other LARC, and is called that because there is no need work required to maintain it after initial use but it can be undone once you are ready to have a family. Unfortunately these are not able to prevent STIs, only pregnancies.

 

I was initially assigned the Haida and Tlingit of the Canadian Pacific Coast. Because of their location they feed off of the usual foraging foods such as plants, fruits, and nuts, along with the aquatic animals and the land mammals native to the region. Gender roles are pretty clear among the Haida and Tlingit along with most hunter-gatherer communities when discussing which jobs are done by which gender.

Their culture is matrilineal but not matriarchal. This means that while the family name and the family line is traced through the female, it is not the females who generally take the leadership positions in the tribe. While the men take the lead in the house as primarily a social figure, the opinions of the women hold incredible sway. Stories exist of Europeans visiting these tribes and witnessing women clearly take charge of a situation and show just how powerful their opinion is. This differs slightly from the culture of the Chinese Mosuo, the last of China’s matrilineal civilizations. The Mosuo are BOTH matrilineal AND matriarchal, which is the exact opposite of every other Western country, and even some of the hunter-gatherer communities. Here, women have absolute control of their households and their bodies; marriages aren’t forced, or even as binding as they are in Western society. The Mosuo women have an undisputed power over their male counterparts that is more or less the polar contrast to the society we are used to.

The Haida and Tlingit of today are much different from the Western culture of yesterday. Western civilization led both a patrilineal AND patriarchal society where the opinions of the women did not matter at all. This has changed over the years, of course, with the suffrage movement in the early 1900s, followed by the various waves of feminism that have made female voices just as important as the males. In that regards, America, the forerunner of 20th century strength and progress, seems to have “caught up” with this ancient hunter-gatherer society of modern times–a perspective that probably would shock some more conservative thinkers of today.

 

My assigned third gender were the Hijra. Located in India, the second most populated country in the world, the Hijra are another example of the many prevalent South Asian transgender cultures. However, as of recently they have gained rights not seen elsewhere. Part of this phenomenon extends from the high place the Hijra used to hold in the ancient courts of India. Connected to the religious atmosphere of India, Hijra were looked at with respect and honor for thousands of years. Seen almost as emissaries from the gods, it was the common practice to gain permission, request royal advice, or ask for marriage blessings from the Hijra. However, as time progressed and the world became more “modern” the Hijra became disdained and forced to take a backseat in Indian culture. Markedly, this shift occured under British rule in the late 1800s. To call yourself a Hijra in today’s culture would bring dishonor on your entire family. As a result, many who claim this are forced to leave their homes permanently. Many are then unable to find work since nobody wants to hire a Hijra; this forces this estranged group of people to flee to prostitution, often getting kicked out of establishments or sexually assaulted in the streets. This happens most often in the cities of India. However, if a Hijra travels far away from the cities they may find specifically Hijra communities led by a female guru where they can live the way they want as who they want to be. On Tuesday, April 15, 2014, India declared Hijra as an official third gender. Despite the breakthroughs they have made with the law, some still do not fully feel safe. Others choose not to identify as that third gender at all.

 

 

Help Received: Refinery 29 video on Canvas, “Hijra: India’s third gender claims its place in law” by Homa Khaleeli .

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/apr/16/india-third-gender-claims-place-in-law

 

Sex has been defined by scientists (and presented in class) as the anatomic and physiological differences between males and females. It is assigned by the doctor at birth based on the external genitalia, but is actually a combination of bodily characteristics including chromosomes, hormones, internal/external reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics. Gender, however, are the roles and social identities of an individual that are not necessarily tied to biological characteristics. Gender contains three dimensions: psychological, the internal sense of being a boy or girl; social, the beliefs about gender roles and community affilations; and behavioral, the expression of one’s identity through appearance, action, and perception.

Unfortunately, Western society has connected gender to sex. As was jokingly represented by Whitney Darrow, there are certain things that penises do and certain things that vaginas do. As a man, you are the strong hero who provides for the family wearing only pants and not wearing pink (which is a modern development). As a woman, you are the weak heroine who lives to be rescued, cooks, and lives to make her husband happy wearing pink and dresses, taking no leadership positions.

During this phase in history, we the people need to work hard to severe the connections between sex and gender. So many of our society’s issues today stem from our inability to divide the soul from the body. This concept of the soul being separate from the body, by the way, can be argued from a Christian perspective. As soon as we recognize that the personalities and identities of individuals do not necessarily stem from their biological parts; to pretend otherwise is to limit the growth of our country.