Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Of abstinence, Alzheimers and aloneness
Here’s a selection of items from the latest issue of Family Edge:
Abstinence-only textbooks for Texas schools: Sex education dealing with contraception has taken a knock-back in Texas where the State Board of Education has voted that school textbooks should teach only abstinence. The books should also be explicit about marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in line with Texas laws which preclude gay "marriage" or civil unions.
Elderly man with Alzheimer's abandoned by wife: An 82-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's disease was abandoned by his wife in the accident and emergency waiting room of a hospital in Essex, England, while she returned to Spain where the couple had lived for two years. The case has highlighted a growing problem of elderly British expatriates living in Spain who fall ill, die or are widowed. However, they can get help by signing their names on to the register of local residents at their nearest town hall.
Men in the city - no home to go to: Social trends - particularly big city living - are causing men to miss out on home life - to the detriment of their mental and physical health, according to reports from Britain and Japan. Researchers at Edinburgh University found there were twice as many men as women living on their own in the 25-44 age group. Fear of the commitment of marriage, and demanding careers are among the possible reasons. Also, men are more able to afford single living, but women tend to prefer flatting. Family breakdown also leaves men alone since women are most likely to keep the children. And a first-ever nationwide survey in Japan found 25,296 homeless people, 6000 of them in Tokyo. Most are middle-aged or older men, many of whom are former day labourers in the construction industry, which has been badly hit by recession. Activists representing the homeless say there is a more basic problem of "ageism" in Japan. Those over 35 have trouble finding a job in Japan - especially if they are unmarried.
Women seek thrills instead of marriage: New research from Wales says that women are shunning marriage and families in favour of adventure. The new breed of women, dubbed "contrasexuals", will only be fulfilled when they have achieved something "incredible through their own efforts". Apparently, as many as a quarter of all working women in Wales could be called contrasexuals. This fits with other Welsh research indicating that half of working women who do not already have children are not interested in having them. Andrew Boddie, head of marketing at Standard Life Bank, said financial freedom was behind the rise of the new breed - women "who own houses in which they have built up equity. They understand the financial power that it gives them to change the way they live."
Female depression: Nearly a third of young women are depressed, according to data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. A sample of 9333 Australian women aged 22-27 indicated they were experiencing depressive symptoms. These correlated with low income, low educational qualifications, a history of unemployment, not being in a relationship, and living arrangements other than living with a partner. Illicit drug use, more smoking and drinking, and less exercise were also more common among these young women.
Abortion linked to later anxiety: Women who abort unintended pregnancies are more likely to develop anxiety, a United States study has found. Researchers examined a representative sample of 10,874 women aged 15-34 who had experienced an unintended first pregnancy and had no prior history of anxiety. Researchers found that compared to women who carried the unintended pregnancy to term, women who aborted were 30 per cent more likely to subsequently report all the symptoms associated with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Brits compromise on smacking: British MPs have voted overwhelmingly for compromise legislation on smacking. The defence of "reasonable chastisement" has been removed from the law but parents may still administer a "mild" smack.
Thickburgers: American fast-food chain Hardee's has defied the anti-obesity drive with a Monster Thickburger which it shamelessly describes as a "monument to decadence". The burger consists of two slabs of Angus beef (664 calories) and four rashers of bacon (150 calories) with three slices of processed cheese (186 calories), plus mayo (160 calories), sandwiched between a sesame seed bun (230 calories) spread with butter for a final 30. It is a "heart attack in a bun" say nutritionists.
Here’s a selection of items from the latest issue of Family Edge:
Abstinence-only textbooks for Texas schools: Sex education dealing with contraception has taken a knock-back in Texas where the State Board of Education has voted that school textbooks should teach only abstinence. The books should also be explicit about marriage as a union between a man and a woman, in line with Texas laws which preclude gay "marriage" or civil unions.
Elderly man with Alzheimer's abandoned by wife: An 82-year-old man suffering from Alzheimer's disease was abandoned by his wife in the accident and emergency waiting room of a hospital in Essex, England, while she returned to Spain where the couple had lived for two years. The case has highlighted a growing problem of elderly British expatriates living in Spain who fall ill, die or are widowed. However, they can get help by signing their names on to the register of local residents at their nearest town hall.
Men in the city - no home to go to: Social trends - particularly big city living - are causing men to miss out on home life - to the detriment of their mental and physical health, according to reports from Britain and Japan. Researchers at Edinburgh University found there were twice as many men as women living on their own in the 25-44 age group. Fear of the commitment of marriage, and demanding careers are among the possible reasons. Also, men are more able to afford single living, but women tend to prefer flatting. Family breakdown also leaves men alone since women are most likely to keep the children. And a first-ever nationwide survey in Japan found 25,296 homeless people, 6000 of them in Tokyo. Most are middle-aged or older men, many of whom are former day labourers in the construction industry, which has been badly hit by recession. Activists representing the homeless say there is a more basic problem of "ageism" in Japan. Those over 35 have trouble finding a job in Japan - especially if they are unmarried.
Women seek thrills instead of marriage: New research from Wales says that women are shunning marriage and families in favour of adventure. The new breed of women, dubbed "contrasexuals", will only be fulfilled when they have achieved something "incredible through their own efforts". Apparently, as many as a quarter of all working women in Wales could be called contrasexuals. This fits with other Welsh research indicating that half of working women who do not already have children are not interested in having them. Andrew Boddie, head of marketing at Standard Life Bank, said financial freedom was behind the rise of the new breed - women "who own houses in which they have built up equity. They understand the financial power that it gives them to change the way they live."
Female depression: Nearly a third of young women are depressed, according to data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. A sample of 9333 Australian women aged 22-27 indicated they were experiencing depressive symptoms. These correlated with low income, low educational qualifications, a history of unemployment, not being in a relationship, and living arrangements other than living with a partner. Illicit drug use, more smoking and drinking, and less exercise were also more common among these young women.
Abortion linked to later anxiety: Women who abort unintended pregnancies are more likely to develop anxiety, a United States study has found. Researchers examined a representative sample of 10,874 women aged 15-34 who had experienced an unintended first pregnancy and had no prior history of anxiety. Researchers found that compared to women who carried the unintended pregnancy to term, women who aborted were 30 per cent more likely to subsequently report all the symptoms associated with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).
Brits compromise on smacking: British MPs have voted overwhelmingly for compromise legislation on smacking. The defence of "reasonable chastisement" has been removed from the law but parents may still administer a "mild" smack.
Thickburgers: American fast-food chain Hardee's has defied the anti-obesity drive with a Monster Thickburger which it shamelessly describes as a "monument to decadence". The burger consists of two slabs of Angus beef (664 calories) and four rashers of bacon (150 calories) with three slices of processed cheese (186 calories), plus mayo (160 calories), sandwiched between a sesame seed bun (230 calories) spread with butter for a final 30. It is a "heart attack in a bun" say nutritionists.
