Gender Equality

ISP 200

Christopher Duncan

3/1/11

I found the first reading in regards to health to rather dry. The piece by Don Sabo called “Masculinities and Men’s health” felt like I was reading a medical journal. It was not as moving or inspiring as the other readings. The only part of the reading I thought stood out to me was the piece he had about adolescent males and what is deemed as masculine behavior. I found it unfortunate that the traits he had mentioned, suspension from school, drinking, sexual promiscuity, and drugs is considered masculine behaviors. As a rebellious teenager, I can attest that indeed these behaviors are viewed as masculine in a public Chicago high school.

The next reading “ Why the Precautionary Principle?” by Connie Chan, I found to be more inspiring and moving. I agree with Chan, that it is sad that most immigrant, non speaking people to not have access to a doctor that can fully understand their needs. I believe because of that, they may not be comfortable or through miscommunication not be able to fully express what their needs are. My heart goes out to the Cantonese woman mentioned in the novel and the story involving her, Kai Ling. When reading the story, it reminds me of the service my girlfriend provides. She is a translator for Iraqi refugees in the Philadelphia-New Jersey area. She spends plenty of time a day coordinating appointments, prescription issues, or just translating to the doctor’s for the families, Just as if it wasn’t for the author, Kai would be at a huge loss; If it wasn’t for my girlfriend, a lot of the refugee families wouldn’t be able to have access to health care. I believe that this is a overbearing issue in our country. Many non English speaking people are not able to fully utilize the health system. I believe we must do a better job for immigrants, and for people in similar situations as Kai Ling. It was unfair that an abortion was a full month’s wages for her. We are all human regardless of what nation we...