Illustration of a girl standing at a window. Image sourced from Pixabay
In the past several years, it seems as though autism, or ASD, is being discussed more and more frequently, allowing for a decrease in the stigma surrounding it. It’s because of this more open discussion and education that we’re also seeing more people being diagnosed with autism or beginning to wonder about a diagnosis for themselves. Unfortunately, there’s still quite a lot that isn’t widely understood or is even completely misunderstood about this neurodivergence, even by medical professionals. This can and often does result in the frequent underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of autism, particularly in women. In fact, for every one girl that is diagnosed with autism, four boys are diagnosed, according to the Duke Integrated Pediatric Mental Health.
There are a handful of reasons why autistic girls and women are overlooked; the first is that many of them don’t fit the traditional stereotypes placed on people with ASD, which are overwhelmingly male centered. It’s these stereotypes that often prevent individuals and even doctors from recognizing the symptoms and characteristics of ASD in girls. According to pediatric neuropsychologist Susan Epstein, in an article by Child Mind Institute, “The model that we have for a classic autism diagnosis has really turned out to be a male model. That’s not to say that girls don’t ever fit, but girls tend to have a quieter presentation, with not necessarily as much of the repetitive and restricted behavior, or it shows up in a different way.”
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in a Sociology workshop. This three-day workshop explored workplace inequality in the modern COVID-19 era, primarily focusing on women’s employment. The workshop was taught by Shekinah Hoffman, who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Sociology at WSU. Hoffman’s research areas are gender, work, workplace discrimination, and sexual harassment. This workshop pushed me in many ways, with learning about and exploring the issue of intersectionality in the workplace. I got to use my knowledge as a Sociology student and applied those skills this past weekend.
The first day of the workshop was focused on learning about the professor’s life and role as a sociologist. She told us about her field of study, focusing on women’s employment in the casino gaming industry. Hoffman studies the role of workplace discrimination and sexual harassment in women’s employment decisions, job changes, and career shifts in the gaming industry. We were divided into the organizational climate of service industries in today’s hyper-sexualized world. Sexual harassment is not just a gendered experience in casino and service industries, but a racialized and classed one, too. Hoffman explained the research process of conducting interviews, acknowledging personal bias, and understanding positionality. Her research is one of the first studies on women in the casino gaming industry, and it was interesting to learn how different generational view harassment differently. We got to know one another and explored the concept of intersectionality as a class. We collectively collaborated on social problems and focused on self-reflection to understand each other’s ideologies and build a welcoming environment.
With the release of Disney’s new movie, Turning Red, the animated film industry is starting to talk about words so scary and inappropriate that kids shouldn’t be hearing… periods and menstruation. During the movie, they don’t say the words period or menstruating, it’s all presented in the form of a big fluffy red panda! While the writers handled the topic wonderfully, being discreet enough to give the opportunity for parents who hadn’t discussed the concept of periods to have that talk with them, these aren’t words we should be afraid of. They are a function that roughly half of the population will experience. Let’s call it what it is: period care, menstruation, or any other combination.
This need to mask the word ‘period’ has been something notable throughout my life. It was a badge of embarrassment in elementary school, along with the idea that girls had cooties. We grew to see the idea of periods and menstruating as ‘weird’ and ‘gross.’ It didn’t help that the term ‘feminine hygiene’ is plastered everywhere. It gives the notion that this normal body function is unhygienic and nasty and, well, shouldn’t be talked about. Josie Parmee discusses this exact issue in this opinion post: When it comes to periods, hygiene is a dirty word. We can change that.
When I was first introduced to Dungeons and Dragons, I thought it was a game that wasn’t for me. It grew in the ‘80s, played by young white cisgender boys, and acquired a reputation for violence, gore, and battle tactics. It felt inaccessible… I liked the idea of fantasy and dragons, it was a cool thing I knew about, but I just didn’t know how to approach it… until I fell into the world of podcasts and actual play. Actual play is media that uses tabletop roleplaying games like Dungeons and Dragons to tell a story. My introduction to actual play was through the McElroy family and their podcast, The Adventure Zone: Balance, where three comedian brothers and their radio-host father played Dungeons and Dragons. Through this, I was able to see the power of Dungeons and Dragons as a tool for storytelling and as a device for exploring one’s identity.
Having just turned 23, I continue to ponder what it means to be at this stage of my life. What has my transition from girl to young woman been like? What is still in store and how can I continue to cultivate and remember this journey into womanhood? I realize that this transition isn’t something I’ve formally been prepared for. There are times when I feel mature beyond my years and naïvely adult. I’ve watched my rooms change over the years, my clothing preferences, and my taste in literature expand into more intimate and serious topics. Trying to define where my girlhood ends, and womanhood begins fills me with conflicting feelings. Is this growth private or something that can be evaluated? Perhaps there is no real preparation past puberty – you just grow up, learn to take change in stride.
From pexels.com
As with all great periods of change, there is a feeling of loss that comes over me when I think of the years I left behind. While there is reason to be proud of getting older, I draw my focus towards objects, memories, people, and places that have defined this transition. Some of these aspects are universal, but stories of women and girls as individuals are diverse and complex because there are many ways to be a woman, despite what society narrates. For some, growing up means facing reality. This could be moving out of one’s childhood home, a relationship, the loss of a loved one, starting birth control, or even just starting menstruation. Personally, I’ve grounded my transitions in my identity and sense of self. I felt like a woman when I started to understand the complicated emotions shown by my parents and how they reflected within me. I realized that as I was getting older, I had new thoughts and opinions emerge. Asking myself questions about whether I’d want to be a wife and mother someday, what sort of career I wanted and how to navigate those expectations through the lenses of society and my parents.
My father often told me that being a woman of color in Journalism would not be easy. So, I had another facet to consider about womanhood – the color of my skin. If being Black has made me less of a person, does having my skin make me less of a woman by default? Growing up, women are told they can do and be anything, but always within the confines of sexist restraints and double standards. I want to believe that womanhood is an ongoing and beautiful adventure. The characteristics that describe a woman can be stereotyped when it comes to personality. Traits like sensitivity, tenderness, helpful, and nurturing have been linked to what defines the “typical” woman. But this definition of femininity is sometimes linked with sexual objectification and how forward or passive a woman is or “should be.” Down to the clothes we wear, whether “tomboy” or “girly,” there are endless ways to define being a woman. The lists can be biased towards traditional ideals that sadly have not yet been done away with. I do not believe that the traits listed define a woman poorly, but rather, society has curated a particular image of how to exhibit each trait. As part of my growth into womanhood, I find that my empathy gives me resilience, my sensitivity fosters deep understanding, and intuition, which in turn give way to patience and creativity in my words and actions. The clothes I wear showcase my version of my own beauty and allow me to express the nuances that make me who I am.
young woman of color from pexels.com
I do agree that most women I have met tend to be more in-tuned with their emotions, myself included. However, gender socialization also plays a major role in the stereotypes embedded in modern culture. What is expected of women and men has been instilled since childhood for many people. It involves teaching children to behave under an umbrella of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors associated with their gender. As time goes on, girls learn to behave in a docile or modest way and are often expected to be more emotional due to their hormone fluctuations. Boys, on the other hand, can often be taught to suppress their emotional sides in effort to look strong, capable, and masculine. That said, many of the personality traits we see among young men and women are often apart the gender conditioning that occurs well into adolescence.
The journey to womanhood is rooted in the sum of my experiences and how they form a sense of self. Self-concept is the perception of behaviour, abilities, traits, and overall personality. As I grew up, my interests and thought patterns began to shape the girl I was growing into. As I age, I continue to learn what’s important to me, what virtues and characteristics I want to embody within the framework of a woman that has been provided by society, my spiritual beliefs, and female figures in my life. This collection of internal conditions lays the foundation for the experiences that will follow. There is no single way to be a woman, but I do believe that all women are unique in the way that we process emotions and make use of our intellect. One is not better than the other and that is the beauty of being human; of growing in my own way from girl to woman. I do not want to despise my bifurcated self; I will not choose whether I am strong or kind. There are no parts of me that are useless, no matter how society views them. The stereotypical traits of women do not represent the fullness of womanhood, and with this in mind, as I get older, I can learn to be content with the version of me that is both strong and tender, or sensitive and assertive.
There isn’t a time of preparation for the changes from girl, to adolescent, to young woman. Cultivating my own journey of growing up and defining who I am as a woman is what will go towards the breaking down of social expectations for girls and women. No one can tell us who we ought to be, a sense of self is formed inside of us long after we have left our parents and living communities behind. I want to remember my transitions as they were. To join all the woman who have come before me in the frightening, yet fulfilling, path to growth. Nurturing the freedom to be the strongest woman I can be by the standards of my own personal beliefs.
The vastness of the internet gives us all access to more information than we’ll ever know what to do with. Those of us that experienced the introduction of technology during our childhoods can’t imagine living in a time before Google was readily available at our fingertips. Having constant access to anything and everything you can think of might sound like a negative thing, and at times it can be a bit much. But it also allows us to learn about things we might not otherwise. In the case of social media, we can learn things about ourselves and other people. The popular video-sharing platform, TikTok, has recently become a popular place for all kinds of advice, though the most noticeable is the increase in relationship advice and how to identify toxic traits in partners.
Most social media platforms focus on presenting perfectly manicured versions of our lives. We post our best days on Instagram and Facebook, often not sharing the reality of those moments. But TikTok has proven itself different as a social media platform with its large number of creators dedicated to exposing the real parts of life and relationships. One thing that I learned about fairly recently on TikTok is the idea of weaponized incompetence. Though the term first showed up in 2007, it’s not really a new thing.
The language of poetry is deeply evocative. Poetry is cathartic. When minds are racing, and hearts are beating poetry gives form to experiences that can’t be spoken aloud. Women have long been emphatic about expressing feelings of oppression, discrimination, gender roles, race, and mental health. Women have also created poetry about daily life, motherhood, and romantic love and frustrations. While there are many great male writers, Ernest Hemingway being a personal favorite, women’s writing deserves to be known just as widely. In high school, the poetry and literature we read tended to focus on male writers. For the curriculum, only ¼ of books were written by a female author. I don’t believe it’s done intentionally, however, there is a quiet but collective belief that women are secondary to men. Though, times continue to evolve and with that, more women of all ages have stepped up to represent other women, to advocate for and inspire them.
Just to name a few, poets that have greatly influenced female writing include Emily Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou, Anne Saxton, and Mary Wollstonecraft. Mary was a women’s rights activist as well as a writer, -most known for writing A Vindication of the Rights of Women. This work was famous for the criticism placed on the lack of women’s education in the 18th-century. She wanted women to be seen as relevant to society and not valued only for their domestic duties of raising children and maintaining a household.
Journal from pexels.com
Each woman used her own style and technique to communicate through poetry. Emily Dickinson often wrote about her frustrations surrounding religion, law, and nature. She was very inspired by other writers in the Romantic Era. Today, Dickinson is considered one of America’s greatest original poets. In her writing, she showed incredibly sharp-sighted observations a noteworthy ability to explore social and literary concepts. Despite not having any formal education, she wrote because “it is liberating but also knocks our feet off the ground”, as she once described. I think anything women do is backed by passion that is unique to us. These poets continue to inspire from the 17th century into the modern day.
Poetry can be a struggle to read and understand when the diction is something resembling Shakespeare’s style. However, many poets today handle the language of poetry with grace and authenticity. Rupi Kaur, is one of today’s most renowned poets. She reached millions of people with her 2014 publication “milk and honey”, and continues to do so today through her new works, “the sun and her flowers”, and “home body”. She creates a space where all women can relate to each other’s ache, and the need to feel heard and seen. Women in poetry utilize writing as a tool of agency and expression. Just as Dickinson felt, writing is liberating.
Whether you are a writer or not, I believe all women should read literature and/or poetry. It can give names to experiences and feelings that are difficult to understand. Poetry benefits the reader and the writer. It gives rhythm to silence and brings creativity and imagination to the forefront. Reading helps improve ideas, skills, and self-development Being mindful of the present world and daily life and routines is also something that poetry captures well. Mundanity becomes meaningful in just a few lines.
writing in a cafe from pexels.com
One thing I noticed is that writing quickly connects us to other people. Many of the most famous writers were friends! Many participated in the same workshops, visited each other’s homes, and wrote letters to each other from afar. Likewise, today, with the use of social media, local and university courses, and events- writers can continue fostering a community. Virginia Woolf and Katherine Mansfield are widely remembered as bitter foes but in truth, the two had an affectionate albeit turbulent friendship. Both women were ambitious and had a mutual understanding of their literary talent. They challenged each other with insight and critique. Woolf was even hurt by one of Mansfield’s critiques, and yet it was one that ultimately improved her next three works.
Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton both attended Boston University and took the same poetry classes. They discussed writing and enjoyed discussing and pushing back against the expectations for women of that time. It will always be incredible to me the power behind women standing together. When we share works with each other we become inspired. Proofreading and receiving constructive criticism strengthens everyone. Others bring a different perspective, new ideas, and a nuanced imagination. Women in the poetry world are brutally honest and this level of depth has a profound influence over the culture of writing.
Reading/Writing from pexels.com
Still to this day, many writers have captured the struggles of isolation and loneliness because of COVID-19. This is how we stay connected. For eons, the written word has always been a way to preserve history, to have the self-remembered. Every woman should read or write poetry (even if its “bad”). The goal is to have fun expressing and play with language and create your own. As a place to start, here are 11 Beautiful Poetry Collections written by female poets.
The school semester is almost over and for me, that means it’s almost time to dust off my pile of half-finished or unread books. This time of year is a perfect opportunity to pick up a new book. Maybe you’re looking for something to kill time on a long flight or maybe you just want to read something that isn’t a textbook or scholarly article. This is also a great chance to check out some awesome books written by women. In January of this year, Audible.com shared some of their favorite books—both classic and contemporary— written by women, and many other blogs have done the same. Now I’m here to give you my picks! Whether you’re looking for something magical, something historical, or just something light and fun, there will definitely be something here for you.
November is Native American Heritage Month and in honor of this month of observance, the University of Idaho hosted a week-long speaker series about Indigenous history and culture. The United States was built on the contributions and history of the Indigenous people. The university campus itself is located on one of many tribal lands in the state of Idaho. Specifically, UI Moscow campus is located on the homelands of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce). Gratitude and recognition is extended to the Indigenous people that have called and still call this place home: “UI recognizes that it is our academic responsibility to build relationships with the indigenous people to ensure integrity of tribal voices”.
The University has a Native American Student Center that supports and empowers Native American students with their academic and cultural needs on campus. Its services include: tribal networking, tutoring, advising, mentoring and much more. This encourages other Native American students, staff, and faculty to get to know each other and form a community.
Native American Statue from pexels.com
The Office of Tribal Relations sponsored this week’s Native American Heritage speaker series. The office strives to cultivate respect and knowledgeable research of Indigenous culture, as well as provide outreach and programming for its Indigenous student body. UI seeks to provide for Native American communities an environment that understands the interconnectedness of the earth, history, and our present day.
On Monday, I had the privilege of attending Dr. Elizabeth Huaman’s speakeing event. Dr Huaman is an educational researcher of Indigenous ecology, cultural practices, and knowledge systems. She is of the Huanca/Wanka Quechua people in the Junín Region of central Peru.
In this webinar, Huaman presented powerful insights from the experiences and history of Indigenous peoples. One of the things that stood out to me was how she used weaving as a metaphor for gathering in the event itself. As part of the audience, I and many others become an integral part in the telling and celebration of Indigenous experiences. Just as weaving is a cultural art form and expression, travel is another core aspect of Native identity.
Dr. Elizabeth Huaman gives a timely speech about the planetary beauty surrounding Indigenous culture. Every river, mountain, and terrain ties together the existence of indigenous peoples. The respect for the ground our food and resources come from to the lakes and rivers that sustain both us and the earth. She definitely has me reframing my view of this holiday season- where gathering, gifts, and bountiful meals are prepared in celebration of community and familial ties.
Huaman went on to explain the dedication Native Americans show to the land. From travel, the dedication and respect to the planet and all natural elements grow into the heritage. Huaman understands how important it is for everyone to remember the country we see today and the true history that formed it. “The global systems of land and body must be acknowledged”, she said. With Indigenous research comes an awakening, which she describes as “shunning ignorance and denial- fully understanding and defending the Native peoples and the lives they lived and the history they shaped even today”. This is not only for other people and nations but also for indigenous peoples themselves to continue learning about their ancestral ties with the integrity it deserves. The world is always changing and Huaman’s talk urged us to move away from the notion of a fixed identity.
Holiday harvest from pexels.com
With Thanksgiving underway, people all over the country prepare to sit down and express gratitude. Indigenous culture can provide a renewed perspective on Thanksgiving. An Honorable Harvest is a framework about the reciprocation of humans and the land. Oftentimes, in the heat of festivities, sometimes we don’t stop and really express gratitude for the Earth itself and its provision. In Native American culture, Thanksgiving is a result of stewarding the land faithfully- taking only what is needed and appreciating the gifts of the land. Today, mass production and resource exploitation are far too common and are extremely damaging to the Earth future.
In an article from YesMagazine, writer Robin Kimmerer says this, “In this season of harvest, our baskets are full… so too are the steel shopping carts that clatter across the parking lot, plastic bags whipping in the wind. How do we even name such abundance? Are these commodities? Natural resources? Ecosystem services? In the Indigenous worldview, we call them gifts”.
An Indigenous perspective provides us with the balance of give and take; provision and sustainability. An honorable harvest can teach the world how to ethically receive and produce what sustains us and express gratitude in unity with our loved ones. This is the honorable harvest.
Giving thanks is a longstanding tradition in Native Indian culture and can continue to teach humans to be mindful of what the planet does for us this holiday season. While the origin of Thanksgiving doesn’t have a beautiful origin story, the Indigenous legacy it has left behind continues to bring honor to the life taken from the ground and animals and the honor given to those who receive it.
So next week, as gatherings and meals take place,- take an extra moment to think of how much the Earth does to fill our tables and kitchens. Take another moment to remember the Indigenous people and the culture of stewardship that shapes this holiday.
According to the Anxiety and Depression and Association of America, body dysmorphia occurs in about 2.5% in males, and in 2.2 % of females. It is no secret that while both men and women struggle with body image, women have a higher rate and predisposition for developing body dysphoric issues. By the time young women get to college, many have already or are still experiencing some degree of body image issues or dysmorphia.
Adolescents and teens are naturally sensitive as they are developing into their own sense of self. The truth is, it’s human nature to overthink what we absorb and compare ourselves to others. If it continues, however, it may very likely develop into depression, anxiety, eating disorders and other beauty obsessions. Girls may decide wear more makeup, change their style of clothing, or exercise excessively to achieve an ideal. These are only a few of the harmful beginnings of body dysmorphia.
uiwomenscenter.wordpress.com 