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Taken from : https://realwomenofcanada.ca/the-decline-in-womens-health-and-well-being/
The Decline in Women’s Health and Well-being Canada has, in so many ways, dramatically changed since the 1970s.
Many of these changes have, in many instances, been detrimental to the health and well-being of women compared to men.
This is evidenced by Statistics Canada’s most recent comprehensive publication entitled, “The Health of Girls and Women in Canada” (March 8, 2016). It explores a variety of mental disorders experienced by women including schizophrenia, psychotic, mood, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders, all of which are increasing at a concerning rate.
There are several changes to society which have significantly contributed this problem. 1. Changed Patterns of Sexual Behaviour A change in sexual behaviour called “hooking-up” seems to be one of the causes of these mental disorders. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “hook-ups” are defined as “brief, uncommitted sexual encounters between people who are not romantic partners or dating each other”.
The culture of casual sexual encounters has replaced the traditional practice of dating, friendship, courting and ultimately stable marriage. Problems for women caused by hook-ups include anxiety and depression.
The substitution of hook-ups for the traditional cultural practices of dating and courtship has also led to pessimism among young women about their future, fearing they will not find a lasting, stable, trustworthy romantic relationship. Simply put, many young women (and men) engaging in hook-ups are jaded and skeptical about the prospects of a long-term commitment, marriage and parenthood.
According to recent studies, between 69% to 75% of university students engage in hook-up encounters. This indicates the gravity of the problem. There appears to be a gender difference in reaction to hook-up experiences. Women frequently experience embarrassment, loss of self-respect, and shame at being used. Males, however, are more likely to regret the choice of the sexual partner. According to the Journal of Sex Research (October 7, 2015), engaging in hook-ups and the number of hook-ups is related to symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A New Zeeland study published on February 12, 2013, by PubMed, entitled “The Relationship Between Multiple Sex Partners and Anxiety, Depression, and Substance Dependence Disorders: A Cohort Study” reported that multiple hook-up experiences were associated with increasing risk of substance dependence disorder. Despite these findings, feminists have encouraged women to participate in the hook-up culture, on the basis that men and women are equal in every way including sexuality.
Feminists ignore the fact that males have a more casual approach to their sexuality, in that emotion and commitment to their partner is not necessarily an important aspect of their sexual encounters.
On the other hand, women engaging in sex tend to be more emotionally involved with the encounter, and usually prefer commitment from the sexual partner. Feminists consistently support the male approach to sexuality, because it “empowers” women—providing them with sexual freedom without emotional attachments which may interfere with their priority of pursuing a successful career.
2. Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) in Women According to a report prepared by the Centre for Communicable Diseases and Infection Control by the Public Health Agency of Canada, released on November 18, 2020, although there was a sustained decline of syphilis in Canada in the 1990s, it began to increase in the early 2000s. The syphilis rate has reached its highest point in this decade. Between 2008 and 2017, the rate of infectious syphilis increased nationally by 167%. Female syphilis cases tend to occur in younger women, during their fertile years.
Unfortunately, syphilis during pregnancy can lead to adverse outcomes for the unborn child, including miscarriage, still-births and infant deaths. In addition to problems during pregnancy, a woman with syphilis experiences not only physical health problems, but also psycho-social repercussions. 3. Work Stress on Women In a U.S. poll conducted by Morning Consult between February 20 to 23, 2024, and entitled “Women in the Workforce”, one in two employed women had experienced burn-out during the previous month. This burn-out was more common among women with children at home.
These findings would likely be duplicated in Canada. Men also experienced burn-out, but less frequently than women. The hoped for “work-home balance” for most women is difficult if not impossible to achieve. Women who combine employment in the workplace with family responsibilities at home, experience increased problems both physically and mentally. The fact is that there are more choices for women today, but this has created a downside of exhaustion for many women. Their efforts to achieve success in the workplace while raising families can lead to disappointment because the reality of their lives is that they cannot reach the expectations of paid employment declared by feminists who promote it as fulfilling and enriching.
“Having it all” for women has become a tyrannical insistence on impossible perfection that few women can attain.[1] a. Feminists’ Failure to Provide Assistance Feminists have dominated the policies affecting women for decades but have failed to insist on changes to reduce the pressures on women who try to combine workplace with family responsibilities. The feminist way is not to discuss and persuade, but to impose their policies for the “good” of women, whether women want or need them. Consequently, flexible work hours and other structural changes required to accommodate women in the workplace, especially those with children, have been ignored.
One such helpful policy for women has been developed in the Netherlands. This policy provides an option for women to work only two or three days a week instead of the usual five-day work week. Most businesses in the Netherlands offer this flexible working schedule, which is especially helpful for mothers with young children. Women reduce the rhythm of their professional careers for some years, and gradually resume full-time paid work when their children are older.
As a result of this policy, 70% of Dutch women do not work full-time. Most believe that this policy is useful in securing a stable base for infants especially, enabling a secure bond with a parent’. b. Every Woman is Unique Individual women, just like individual men, are unique because of their differing cultural, educational, religious, and social backgrounds. As a result, women make different choices in their lives. Some prefer to be employed in the workplace, while others prefer to remain at home full-time to focus on their children and volunteer in their communities. These latter women provide a stable, less hurried household for their families.
Many women, however, are unable to remain full-time in the home because of financial concerns. There are numerous reasons for this financial pressure, but one of the reasons is the high rate of taxation.
In Canada, a 2024 study from the Vancouver-based Fraser Institute found that the average Canadian family in 2023 spent more of its income on taxes (41.0%) than it did on basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing combined (35.6%). By comparison, in 1961, 33.5% of the average family’s income went to pay taxes, while 56.5% went to necessities. Obviously, the family has changed since the baseline year of 1961 when most families were single-income families. By 2023, two income families have become the order of the day in Canada. Since taxes are not based on the family as a unit, but on individuals, the latter must carry the significantly increased tax burden.
Canada on the Cusp of Change Canada is on the cusp of change. Respect for the dignity of Canadian women should be included in these future changes. Women must be free to decide their own individual pathway through life. They should not be forced into specific role models dictated by feminists who regard success for women based solely on their economic worth in the marketplace. Success can have other definitions which must include “remaining at home” raising stable responsible future citizens (and taxpayers!) who are vital for the future of society.
Women must have cultural, community, and social support for their choices. Such support must be part of the restructuring of society, which of necessity is rapidly approaching. [1] Ann Hui, Millennial Women Are Not Okay, Globe & Mail, March 29, 2024 November 25th, 2024|Categories: Current Newsletter Articles, News & Views|Tags: Decline in Women's Health and Well-being, Feminists' Failure, Hook-ups, Sexual Behaviour, Sexually Transmitted Disease, STDs, Work Stress on Women
