After reading a couple of posts by Alexis I became interested in learning more about women's health and accessibility. I'm thinking about narrowing down my focus on sexual health and sexuality. However, I don't really know where to go from here. Maybe I can focus on how socio-economic status and race has an effect on accessibility. Anyways, here are some ideas:
-I'm not quite sure about which age group I could focus on: teenagers (13-18) or young women (28-25).
-Maybe observing at Planned Parenthood locations and/or talking to doctors who work there.
-Positivie/Negative stigmas of Planned Parenthood facilities.
-I also want to look into court cases and current legislation concerning women's health and accessibility of information and services. For example, taking a look at Roe v. Wade and Texas laws (vs other states, maybe?).
-The effects of legislation: pregnancy rates, school attendance, socio-economic factors, sex as a taboo.
-Maybe I can talk to different people about their own experiences and their accessibility to sex education.
-Any suggestions?
That is all for now. I'm interested on what you all have to say!
Melissa
Savage Minds is dead! Long live anthro{dendum}!
7 years ago
I just reread my post. I meant to say young women between the ages of 18 and 25, not 28 and 25. Whoops!
ReplyDeleteAfter our talk yesterday at the garden, I was definitely excited to do some research. Unfortunately, I am quickly beginning to realize that trying to work together on a site in Austin would be hard for me because of my busy schedule. My current potential site just seems more doable. I know they deal with some OB/GYN cases and I think you can find some local community clinics that deal with sexual health and basic women's healthcare. Also, there is the Crisis Pregnancy Center here in Georgetown. Actually, I believe they have their office right near the square. One of their leaders made a Rotary presentation this summer, and they seemed to have at least some data concerning women's reproductive health in Williamson County. It also might be interesting to get their viewpoint?
ReplyDeleteOh and it also might be interesting to talk to the health clinic here on campus. In the past, birth control pills could be sold on campuses for extraordinarily low prices. New regulations or some sort of policy change (either by the drug companies or from the government..I unfortunately cannot recall which) has caused birth control pill prices to rise on college campuses. You might be able to look at availability and knowledge of sexual health at Southwestern.
Here are some comments on your ideas:
-Working with teenagers might be hard because they are minors, no? Younger women may also be easier to talk to concerning reproductive health issues.
-I have heard that Planned Parenthood is a bit strict with who they allow volunteer and shadow. You might have to jump through a lot of bureaucratic hoops in order to do so. Also, you will likely be talking mostly to non-doctors who are more intimately involved in the workings- medical or otherwise- of Planned Parenthood. I would suggest starting to email them right away? Perhaps I am just misinformed! (I have not tried myself.)
Whatever you choose, I am super interested to see what you find!
Just a few words:
ReplyDelete- even just researching accessibility of reproductive health services for SU students would be interesting, esp. trying to gauge their perception of what the "institutional expectations" are for them---and later you can put this into local and regional context;
- the background info research sounds fascinating, but for the purposes of this project, would probably be more appropriate to focus on the lived experience of your research participants.