Body Talk
Your body, your choice? A place to debate and discuss the complexities and controversies surrounding women's' health issues, reproductive rights, and bodily autonomy.
I Was Told That I Would Not Be Taken Seriously Because of My Weight
I had always loved the art of dance. From the graceful movements, to the impossible looking jumps and turns. So much hard work, yet it all looked so easy. It was an art form that really touched me from a young age, until I saw the darker side behind its beauty. I worked tirelessly to become the best dancer that I could possibly be. Little did I know that my hard work meant little to nothing in this industry, for a girl like myself.
By Victoria Gracie7 years ago in Viva
Information on PCOS
What is PCOS and what does it stand for? PCOS aka PCOD stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic Ovarian Disorder a treatable but not curable disease which causes a woman's period to come less than it should or causes it to last longer than normal due to the amount of androgen, a male hormone, because of this small cyst form on the ovaries creating other unwanted problems such as: being overweight, infertility, acne, facial hair, depression, anxiety, loss of hair, and male features. If PCOS isn't treated it can cause endometrial cancer because you're not shedding the uterine lining every month as well as diabetes, and autoimmune thyroid disease.
By Viola Shadowheart7 years ago in Viva
Something's Got to Give
British freelance journalist Stephanie Yeboah recently made social media news this month when she published a story on Refinery29, titled “I Found Out The Guy I Was Dating Did It For A Dare. Here's What Happened Next,” writing about being embarrassed by potential partner all because she is a plus-size woman.
By Mpho Rantao7 years ago in Viva
Struggling with Sexual Expression
As women, we are raised with the understanding that our bodies are viewed differently to men's bodies. The media, society, the boys at our schools, the adults who push problematic school uniform rules onto us. Girls must wear skirts, but not too short because then it's inappropriate. Remember to keep those shoulders covered, otherwise your skin will distract the boys and the teachers! We're taught that our bodies are something men will feel the entitlement to shove their dick against in a club before we're even aware of their existence. We know if we confront them with our frustration and disgust, we're the ones causing shit. We know it's easier to simply move out of the dick's way, and give our friends that watch out for the creep look.
By Katie Gaster7 years ago in Viva
"Fat"
I have been obsessed with my body for as long as I can remember. As a little kid, my mom went to a dietitian because I was heavier than the average kid my age. I ate the same things as my mother and little brother; still, I was the heavier one. Everyone always told me to watch what I eat. As years went by, my self-esteem worsened to a point where I barely ate at all.
By Unknown Love7 years ago in Viva
The Female Dilemma: Just Eat It
I remember the first time I sat on a Sex Ed. course in high school. It was both painful and hilarious as my science teacher, Ms. Springer* explained what the birds and the bees were to 15-year-old girls in a Catholic institution. She flailed her limbs to explain how a penis worked when it became “excited” and proceeded to show us a video on the joys of childbirth. In the end I realized that there wasn’t anything valuable I really learned from the session, that I couldn’t read up on myself if I was curious enough. Let me tell you, I was one heck of a curious kid. One thing I wish I had learned from that day on was how to love my body after puberty had packed up its luggage and left to embark onto the adventures of womanhood. And as we draw into the New Year and I become more reflective, I simply ask, “Why have I not been loving my body enough?”
By Gabrielle Maryse7 years ago in Viva
