Questioning Health Project
Eloise Davis
Healthy Relationships | Understanding
How would you define an unhealthy relationship?
- This can be within any relationships
- If emotional, verbal, or physical abuse is used, that relationship is unhealthy
- Having an argument does not constitute an unhealthy relationship; that's actually a huge part of having a healthy relationship, as long as it ends in agreement and compromise
- But if this is recurring and constant to the level of abuse, this relationship is unhealthy
Gender Identity | Applying
How might struggles with gender identity and sexuality affect a person's mental health?
- People in the LGBTQ+ community are at a much higher risk of mental illness
- Because of social, environmental, and internal factors that affect self-image
- These stressors can include coming to terms with one's own sexuality and gender and the reactions of those around them if they choose to come out
- These stressors can lead to lifelong or temporary anxiety or depression as well as other mental illnesses
Pregnancy, Labor, and Choices | Evaluating
If you got pregnant, what are some options you might have?
In the United States:
- 60% of abortions are obtained by women in their 20s
- 59% are obtained by women with children
- 49% of abortion patients live below the poverty line
This is a good option for those who cannot afford (financially, emotionally, or physically) to keep a child or carry one to term.
Adoption
In the United States:
- about 120,000 children are adopted each year
This is a good option for those who don't want or are physically unable to have an abortion.
Keeping the baby
- Lots of people of all ages do this.
This is a good option for those who want a baby and (more importantly) can take care of one.
Sexually Transmitted Infections | Analyzing
What are the 3 most common STIs in the US?
- more than 40 types
- most of them have no effect, and your body deals with them naturally
- some of them can cause things from genital warts to cancer
- which is why most people get vaccinated for it
Chlamydia
- only about 25% of women and 50% of men have symptoms
- treated with an antibiotic
Gonorrhea
- similar to chlamydia
- also bacterial
Personal Safety and Contraceptives | Analyzing
What are the safest/most common contraceptives in the United States?
Vasectomy/Tubal Implants
- having your "tubes tied"
- or having an implant in the Fallopian tubes
- expensive, sometimes irreversible
- 99% effective
The Pill
- AKA Birth control, taken orally
- The pill is the most commonly used contraceptive in the US for women under 30.
- About 8% of users get pregnant (including those who miss doses)
- Have some side effects, and do not protect against STIs
Male Condoms
- Widely used
- Not always effective
- Cheap
- Of couples who rely solely on male condoms, 15% get pregnant each year
Puberty & Adolescent Development | Knowledge
How does the brain change during puberty?
- Decisions rely on the limbic system (emotions) more than the prefrontal cortex (rational thinking)
- The prefrontal cortex develops later
- So decisions are usually spurred by the 'accelerator' more than the 'brakes'
- Because of these changes, peer pressure is more influential
- More oxytocin receptors are made in the brain
- Which leads to self-centered thinking