Fat is a Feminist Issue Essay Example for Free

Fat is a Feminist Issue Essay Susie Orbach writes about the reality that many women face with problems of obesity, overweight, social roles, and sex-stereotypes in the US. In â€Å"Fat is a Feminist Issue† the author writes in extend to the main problem that women face with overweight in America, how it has become a serious issue in the topic of obesity, and the typical â€Å"sex-role stereotypes† differences that exist today (449). Manipulated by media ads and the pressure on women to pursue the ideal physical and beauty appearance, Orbach claims that women have been the target of a â€Å"ten billion dollar industry waits to remold bodies to the latest fashion† year after year (451-52). In addition to this, Orbach gives us some background history on fashion and how media ads affected the thinking of those young ladies who lived in the 60’s and 70’s, where television started to be a mainstream along with magazines and radio. Orbach writes that in the 60’s, there were only three ways to â€Å"feel acceptable† within one’s society: to be skinny, flat chested and straight hair (451). By the 70’s the fashion was the opposite. Clearly, this statement clarifies the historical example of the classic American culture, slammed by media ads in which women are bombarded with new fashion styles and new trends every year. The fact of the matter is that Orbach claims that being fat is a â€Å"culturally defined experience of womanhood† (449), however, she calls society to make a change in this issue in which women are constantly fighting a never ending war of overweight and obesity. Response After reading this essay I’ve found there are reasons as to why women in our society today overeat. In terms of overeating, and the pressures society places on women, I agree that sometimes society place too much pressure on them to look or be a certain way. There are indeed some overweight woman who are perfectly healthy, and others who are not. Although, the issue comes when we try to impose what our idea of healthy is, or what it is supposed to look like from our on perspective onto them. This can drive people to depression, and all types of other bad habits like overeating. I also believe that Orbach, was correct when she stated that self –image, and self- consciousness, play a big role in this subject as well. She states that by not living up to the standards placed by society, would essentially be deeming oneself as an outcast, which in today’s society is very true. Those who cannot/ do not keep up with the latest trend, look, and style are no longer considered to be â€Å"in† which is ridiculous. Women especially, should be able to be them despite what new trend comes about, how many more people become skinnier, or whatever the case may be. We should teach that being comfortable in one’s own skin is what is key, staying healthy, and then working one becoming a better you is what comes next. This essay showed me that if one really took the time to think about it, being â€Å"fat† really could be looked at as a social disease that we ideally created and placed on them. I agree, that society, gender roles and the expectations that we place on women can be directly correlated with overeating and obesity. For me, obesity and overeating is something I never quite understood, nor took the time to really critically think about until now. I was skinny as a young girl; my weight was under one hundred pounds and therefore never having to think about being â€Å"fat†. As I got older, I started to gain weight, reaching one hundred and thirty pounds, and then I started thinking â€Å"Wow! I’m fat†. Then I became pregnant and gained more weight, I was â€Å"HUGE† in my eyes. After giving birth I became obsessed with my weight and body image. I started to exercise and eat healthy to lose the weight; I felt pressure from society, family, and friends to lose the weight because I had always been so thin. I even went to the extreme of having lipo after I couldn’t lose the weight by eating right and exercise. That period of my life was a dark and sad time for me; my family didn’t know about my depression, I was under so much pressure to look perfect! Orbach, also touches a subject that I kind of disagree with as she explains: â€Å"the relegation of women to the social roles of wife and mother has several significant consequences that contribute to the problem of fat† (450). The social roles have played an important role in the American culture, especially in women where it’s always the classic stay home mom, taking care of kids and the husband being the only provider. Under these circumstances, perhaps, women don’t feel the necessity to present an ideal physical image once they are married, or to what she claims it’s a â€Å"response to the inequality of sexes† where women feel less valuable and they express some type of rebellion towards the stereotypes that society has created of â€Å"being fat† or impulsive eating disorder (448-49). Reason I don’t agree completely with this subject is because, I know many stay at home mom’s that do want to stay looking good, and feeling good, not only for them, but for their husband and children. Overall, Susie Orbach’s article â€Å"Fat is a Feminist Issue† was a very good one. It teaches us that we should not imply our own beliefs of what the ideal woman should, or should not look like. While at the same time understanding that obesity and overeating are driven by something, some struggle, expectation, or pressure. This implies that would should not be so quick to say being â€Å"fat† is simply a choice that some individuals make and that, that is all there is to it, because there can be other factors. Works Cited

Comparing Boys and Girls by Alice Munro and A Clean Well-Lighted Place by Hemingway :: comparison compare contrast essays

Importance of Foils in Boys and Girls and A Clean Well-Lighted Place A Handbook to Literature says that the word "foil" literally means a "leaf" or a sheet "of bright metal placed under a piece of jewelry to increase its brilliance" ("Foil"). Thus when applied to literature, the term refers to "a character who makes a contrast with another, especially a minor character who helps set off a major character" (Barnett et al. 1331). For example, a foolish character may place a wise character's wisdom in a stronger light, or a cowardly character may make the hero's actions appear even more courageous. A foil is frequently an antagonist or confidant, but whoever the foil might be, the purpose is to illuminate one or more significant traits, attitudes or actions of a main character ("Foil" NTCE). In the story, '"A Clean Well-Lighted Place," by Ernest Hemingway, the younger waiter is a foil for both the older waiter and the old man who comes to drink in the café. The older waiter is concerned for the old man who has tried to kill himself. He understands that there are many lonely people who need a safe, well-lighted place to escape loneliness at night. The older waiter makes the comment near the end of the story that "each night I am reluctant to close up because there may be someone who needs the café" (1172). The older waiter is sympathetic to the old man because he himself is lonely. He confesses that " I am of those who like to stay late at the café, with all those who need a light for the night" (1172). On the other hand, the younger waiter has a wife to go home to and is irritated at the old man because he will not leave. He even says to the old man, who is deaf, "You should have killed yourself last week" (1170). This cruel remark contrasts sharply with the older waiter's characteristics of compassion, friendliness, and tolerance. In the story, " Boys and Girls," by Alice Munro, Laird is the foil for his sister, the narrator of the story. When the children are young, Laird's behavior contrasts with the maturity and responsibility shown by the girl. While she is busy watering the foxes, he goes off and swings "himself sick . . . going around in circles" or tries to catch caterpillars (987).

Ethical Issues- Schizophrenia

Many ethical issues can be presented when working in the medical field; a few major issues are presented in the case of Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which people may hear voices in their heads that tell them to do immoral things, which are not there. A Schizophrenic person may also sit for hours without moving or talking, and are not completely sane. This disorder is a result of genetic and environmental factors. One of the issues that are involved with schizophrenia is telling schizophrenics, partial truths or lies.Studies have shown that when a schizophrenic is directly confronted, they usually do not return for treatment. As a result, some psychiatrists tell their patients â€Å"half-truths† or lies such as treating patients but telling them the medication is for anxiety or dysphasia, this way patients receive adequate treatment. Ultimately the psychiatrist is doing what is best for the patient, but is it really okay to lie to a patient? Another issu e is presented during the treatment of a schizophrenic patient, occasionally a patient will ask a psychiatrist for heir opinion on whether or not to pursue a lifelong dream they may have.When this occurs, the psychiatrist is presented with the decision of whether or not to support the patient on their dream. If the psychiatrist believes the patient is not capable of accomplishing their goal because of their mental disorder, they might discourage the patient form pursuing it because if they were to pursue it and fail, it could possibly worsen the disorder. On the other hand, the psychiatrist might support the patient in their dream, because in the situation where the patient accomplishes their goal, the notation may improve and could result in a better quality of life.So what should the psychiatrist do in this situation, when is it okay for the psychiatrist to decide what goes on in a patient's life? A third issue would be the whether or not to ask a patient dealing with this disorde r if they would like to write their advance directives. Advance directives are written consent of what would happen to the patient in the occasion that they lose decisional capabilities, what type of treatment they would receive, etc.Although advance directives maybe taken as a precaution and not because anything is occurring with the patient, upon being asked for these documents a patient may be caused fear which could result in worsening of the illness. So should the psychiatrist ask a patient for the advance directives knowing it may have a negative result on their health? The involvement of family in the life of a schizophrenic could be extremely beneficial, but convincing a schizophrenic to involve their family is yet another issue.The process of persuading a mental disorder patient at some point becomes coercion, which is never morally correct because it could be considered as taking advantage of a mentally challenged person. Although coercion is never technically correct, in the long run the involvement of the family will have enormous benefits on the patient, so the psychiatrist must make a decision on if they should or shouldn't coerce the patient to involve their family. I believe that all the ethical issues presented are difficult, but the psychiatrist should always keep the patients well.

Psychological Progression Through Definition And Perception

Within the curiosity of the human mind lies a variety of occurrences that have plagued philosophers, scientists, and skeptics alike. What is the part, we as a society, play in the study of the material world? Although, many have theorized, experts are only just now scratching the surface of the mental and behavioral processes of the human mind. However, within the minute distance that examiners have travelled through the world of psychology, scientists have discovered and developed a plethora of concepts, approaches, ideas, and principles that have now become relevant to our growth. Within this context, the analysis will center on the progressive history of psychology, including some of psychology’s primary contributors and their concepts. Furthermore, the major psychological approaches, and how they pertain to, and influence, society as we view it today. A Psychological Progression through Definition and Perception. Throughout the earlier years, psychology was known as, â€Å"the science of mental life† Initially, psychology began on a December day in 1879, at a local German university, by Professor Wilhelm Wundt. The experiment, was to determine the time in which it took an individual, whom initially heard a bell, to press a telegraph’s key in response to the sound omitted. Wundt’s attempt was aimed at measuring the â€Å"atoms of the mind†. A fast and simple approach towards the mental process of an individual’s reaction. Thus, solidify Wilhelm, within the birth of psychology, asShow MoreRelatedThe Social Class Of Museum Learners During The 19th Century848 Words   |  4 PagesThus, the definition of the public introduced by 19th-century museums was narrower than that of today. Interest toward the marginalized minority started to rise due to the civil rights movement in the late 1960s, and museums started to provide education to them accordingly. 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