The Narrow Lens of Masculinity

I photographed men who are confined to narrow definitions of what it looks like to be masculine by their generation, culture, or family. The idea of masculinity is something I have found many men feel oppressed by. Emotions in particular are something heavily regulated among men who carry the pressure to remain strong and provide for those around them. I chose to photograph men and boys with the two emotions they are "allowed" to feel. Happiness and anger are comfortable for society to witness men expressing, so much so, some are pushed into boxes that encourage suppression and aggression. 

The gentleman featured above is currently struggling to remain strong in the face of his wife of 60 years falling ill from dementia. For him, expressing sadness over losing his best friend has been an extremely vulnerable process in which he feels as though he is failing his spouse as her protector, a heavy role he has carried with him since they met. 

The second young boy featured has been influenced my many different men who share a machismo ideology. This "macho" influence is something he fights against as he becomes a young man who is learning to feel and express himself and his emotion in a vulnerable way; something that would have been frowned upon by others in his past. 

Saez, Pedro A., et al. "Factors influencing masculinity ideology among Latino men." The Journal of Men's

Studies, vol. 17, no. 2, spring 2009, pp. 116+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A204073659/AONE?u=calstate&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=630e123e. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.

Pérez-Martínez, Vanesa, et al. "Evaluation of the lights4violence program: reduction in machismo and acceptance of violence among adolescents in Europe." BMC Public Health, vol. 22, no. 1, 3 Mar. 2022, p. NA. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A699497341/AONE?u=calstate&sid=bookmark-AONE&xid=f50d88ea. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.

Michael Ngo - Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse has been a huge factor in my life ever since I was a kid. Throughout my childhood, my father has been an alcoholic. Despite this issue being resolved over the years, it has led to many incidents of unnecessary arguments, drunk driving, and health issues. My experience throughout high school has shown many instances of others, including myself drinking, whether this is at parties or just a simple night out. Furthermore, from these experiences, I have seen many of my peers drunk driving or revealing aggressive behavior towards others around. This social issue has expressed its value of importance for not only teenagers but also adults. Alcohol doesn’t just affect those who consume it, but those around them as well. Many may ask, “How can one person hurting themself also hurt those around them?” Well, despite the consumption of alcohol affecting those close to them, it could also result in terrible instances for those who are simply going on with their own life. This can be seen when drunk driving as one may uphold the potential of causing an accident or even hurting someone beyond repair. In addition, from extensive research, I have discovered that alcohol abuse does not simply end at drunk driving as there are many other effects that can be caused by alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption or abuse is the root of many problems that can range from a variety of abuses (verbal, sexual, physical, or even emotional), homelessness, impact on family, or even trouble at work.

According to an article I found by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the alcohol use of people aged 18 or older in the United States alone was reported to be 85.6 percent. In addition to that, it was reported that 69.5 percent of people drank just over the span of last year and 54.9 percent reported they drank over the span of last month. 

This holds great importance because it contributes to the fact that many people are experiencing difficulties one way or another. Furthermore, this generation is known to do what they deem to be trendy or cool and as many statistics are shown to be rising, many youngsters will follow through in the use of alcohol.

Furthermore, the statistics in 2019 from NSDUH showed that 825,000 people aged 12 to 20 established that they have consumed a hefty amount of alcohol in the past month. This is important because this represents approximately 2.2 percent of their age group. 

Overall, the consumption of alcohol has been an urgent social issue for the longest time and it has shifted its course closer to the current generation. The rate of alcohol-related deaths has been increasing and is shown to have increased by 47 percent from 2006 to 2014. There have been approximately 210,000 ED visits related to alcohol and 95,000 deaths related to alcohol consumption in the United States every year. The purpose of this is to address the potential risks of consuming alcohol.

References:

“Alcohol Facts and Statistics.” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics. 

“Alcohol Abuse: A Social Problem.” Find Rehab Centers Based On Your Needs, 4 June 2021, https://www.rehabcenter.net/alcohol/social-problem/. 

Homelessness

I’ve been living in Pasadena for as long as I can remember. Something that I’ve noticed that is increasing as the years pass by is homelessness. Before it was rare that you see a homeless person on the sidewalk but now wherever you turn there’s a homeless person. Some homeless people are nice and don't want any problems but there's some that do drugs and want nothing but problems. This has become an issue because no one in the Pasadena area feels safe walking on the sidewalk, going to stores or just being alone.

After doing some research I found a website that is called the Pasadena Partnership where they ask the public to sign up and volunteer for the Homeless Count planning to end homelessness in Pasadena. I like how this website even provides statistics of people that are currently homeless throughout the years from 2010-2020. The website states that in 2020 there was a homeless count of 527 people experiencing homelessness. I personally thought that back then there was less but there was actually more. In 2010 there was a homeless count of 1,137 homeless adults and children which gave a 13% increase in homeless people in Pasadena from 2009.

This is important to me because as I see that the numbers are decreasing rather than increasing is a good sign as residents won't have that feeling of fear anymore only from the homeless people that are rude and are drugs which have a big impact with the way they react to people who are just passing by. But I’m glad Pasadena is taking action and checking the amount of homeslessnes per year.

Sources: 

1. https://pasadenapartnership.org/homeless-count-reports/#1558372267584-39c1d320-1ff7

2. https://pasadenapartnership.org

Mental Health/Illness - Priscilla Castillo

                 Mental Health/Illness 

What is mental health? 🤔🤔🤔

        Mental health comes in many different ways, just as it is defined. According to the article called Toward a new definition of mental health by Silvana Galderisi, Andreas Heinz, Marianne Kastrup, and Julian Beezhold state, "World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can make a contribution to his or her community”  (Par. 1).  In my opinion, mental health is not only being able to deal with the stress of life that cause you to decline your abilities and productivity, but there is also the physical impact of the brain itself that you can clearly notice in individuals, those who got brain injuries, and became mentally ill must not be forgotten as well. Cognitive can be seen as an emotional stance and physical strain in the brain that partakes in an individual's life. This is why I am saying mental health is defined in many ways that can mean many things. You can get mental health from war, being born with it, drugs, life stresses, accidents, etc. 

Why is Mental Health important to me?💕💕💕

    Mental health hits home for me. This subject is dear to my heart because I have witnessed some people I know personally have someone who deals with mental health and illness. First, I want to say I deal with mental health issues physically and emotionally. I deal with a mild brain traumatic injury, anxiety, and depression that I received from a car accident, leading me to have even more health issues. The symptoms I have gained from my injuries are unbearable, which led me to get anxiety and depression. Secondly, I have a sibling diagnosed with schizophrenia that my sibling received due to drugs, and what I witnessed of treatment and hard to come by resources with those who seek help for their illness was absurd. I want to make it loud and clear that those individuals with mental deficits do not get treated well and the support they need. It takes years for someone to even get housing for those in my bother situation. It is tough to get an individual with mental health issues to a psyche ward because the individual himself needed to sign himself off because he was an adult. Which was hard on our family and took many years for us to show that he was not fit to make choices independently. This is a major social issue. Overall the system needs to change because the pain and suffering our family had to deal with were beyond ridiculous. Lynwood California community and surrounding cities do not have the resources, the law, the help, the time, and the care for those who deal with mental health/illnesses. I heard many stories from other residents of my community who have a child or someone they know with mental health and disease who do not get the help they need, and if they do, it takes too many years to get anything. The cost of getting help is one of the main issues in my area for those who do suffer from mental health issues. This is something that needs to be fixed for my community.

🥀🥀🥀

The lady featured here is named Judy; she is an individual who lives around my area. She has a son who suffers from schizophrenia. She had schizophrenia for over 10 years, and she said the most help she got was " Getting medicine from a doctor he says 0nce every 6 months and that's all in this community get."  She states, " I have been trying for so many years to get him into a mental institution, but there are so many laws that favor those who have the illness that it's hard to help. The help in this area is so little and so hard to get." 

    

The gentleman here named Tristan is an individual who lives around my community as well; he has a little sister who had a mental illness that passed away a few years before. He stated, " because of the lack of help offered and the cost of trying to get at least some help, I lost my sister.  Self-harm, suicide is no joke; if only there was a way easier to get help and fast, this story would be different."

Lynwood, California mental health patients

❤According to Data Census Place for Lynwood, CA, "mental health providers see 276 patients per year. 

❤ Total population of Lynwood, CA is 68,693

These individuals can afford and, with time, get help for their mental condition.

Mental Health/illness neglection😡😡😡

According to the Los Angeles Times article, neglection in Los Angeles is clearly being able to see with an epidemic of mental illness on the streets, counties struggle to spend huge cash reserves. By Thomas Curwen stated, "When California voters passed a tax on high-income residents in 2004, backers said it would make good on the state’s “failed promise” to help counties pay for the treatment of the mentally ill. After nearly 15 years, Proposition 63 — the Mental Health Services Act — has steered billions of dollars to the counties across the state. But huge sums remain unspent at a time when mental illness has become an epidemic among the homeless population. As of June 2017, $1.6 billion was being held in reserve in nearly three-quarters of the counties in the state. In Los Angeles County, the Department of Mental Health had accumulated nearly $900 million. The unspent funds are believed to have increased in the fiscal year that ended June 30, but figures were not yet available. Advocates say much of this money could have put crisis teams on the streets, started construction on supportive housing projects, and funded psychiatric urgent care centers. It shows us that mental health is being neglected and has this money to build more psyche wards and those who need help in LA county with their mental issues. Not only house homed individuals have these issues but also homeless people. "According to some estimates, more than a quarter of California’s homeless have a mental illness; in Los Angeles County, the percentage is slightly higher." We have the money, but those in power in our communities are not putting our tax-paying funds to have more resources for individuals in need of mental help. It is clear that mental health/illness is an issue, and there are not many resources or means to sustain the problem or the service needed. 

Statistics Of Mental Health/Illness 👀👀👀

It shows how many people are not getting treated for mental health illnesses showing us that there is not much help, and it is definitely needed. 

https://www.kff.org/statedata/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/california/

IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES

https://namila.org/resources/mental-health-by-the-numbers/

• Mental illness and substance use disorders are involved in 1 out of every 8 emergency department visits by a U.S. adult (estimated 12 million visits)
• Mood disorders are the most common cause of hospitalization for all people in the U.S. under age 45 (after excluding hospitalization relating to pregnancy and birth)
• Across the U.S. economy, mental severe illness causes $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year
• 20.1% of people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. have a severe mental health condition
• 37% of adults incarcerated in the state and federal prison system have a diagnosed mental illness
• 70.4% of youth in the juvenile justice system have a diagnosed mental illness
• 41% of Veteran’s Health Administration patients have a diagnosed mental illness or substance use disorder

            LOS ANGELES HARDSHIP STATISTIC 

These stats are examples of how money created hardship for those trying to get help for individuals with mental health issues but who can't afford it. Also brings an insight into how economic hardship causes mental health issues. 

Suicide due to Mental Health

 2015

https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4978

2020

                         Conclusion  ✌✌✌                          

    Mental health is a serious topic and should be a priority to many communities and the general public. It is clear that the county of Los Angeles and the current cities we reside due have the funds to help those suffering from mental health, but it seems to be ignored. Many people die and suffer daily because no resources and help are needed for mental health. The law favors more than those who are mentally ill and can't get help unless they want to help themselves is an issue. This topic can not be neglected. Suicide is constantly in the back of the minds of those with mental health, and they need help now. Every life is precious, no matter. The severity of mental health is very damaging to people in our community because people want to help, but there are not many places, resources, funds, help from the government/law, etc. This subject is close to my heart because we all deserve support and because I know people with it, and many people do. I suffer from mental health issues as well. This is why it is essential to share, and the struggle is hard to get when it comes to mental health/illness. 

  

           Work Cited

• Curwen, T. (2018, August 23). With an epidemic of mental illness on the streets, counties struggle to spend huge cash reserves. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 19, 2022, fromhttps://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-mhsa-unspent-balance-20180819-story.html
•   Galderisi, Silvana et al. “Toward a New Definition of Mental Health.” World psychiatry 14.2 (2015): 231–233. Web.

• He, A. S., Search for more papers by this author, Traube, D. E., Brimhall, K. C., Lim, C., Lecklitner, G., Olson, A., Dr. He is with the Graduate School of Social Work, Send correspondence to Dr. He (e-mail: [email protected])., GA, A., Al., E., LK, L., JB, K., T, R., BJ, B., S, M. C. H., MS, H., TE, K., Y, B., … Fettes, D. L. (2017, April 17). Service receipt and Mental Disorders in child welfare and Mental Health Systems in Los Angeles County. Psychiatric Services. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ps.201600266

• Lynwood, CA. Data USA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/lynwood-ca

• Keep an eye on your mental health for a healthier life. PlanStreet. (2021, November 24). Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.planstreetinc.com/keep-an-eye-on-your-mental-health-for-a-healthier-life/

• Lynwood, California population 2022. Lynwood, California Population 2022 (Demographics, Maps, Graphs). (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/lynwood-ca-population

• Bolton, J. M., Gunnell, D., & Turecki, G. (2015, November 9). Suicide risk assessment and intervention in people with mental illness. The BMJ. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.bmj.com/content/351/bmj.h4978

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019, November 7). A geospatial analysis of Health, mental health, and stressful community contexts in Los Angeles County. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2019/19_0138.htm

• Mental health by the numbers. NAMI Westside Los Angeles. (2020, December 16). Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://namila.org/resources/mental-health-by-the-numbers/

• Published: Dec 13, 2021. (2021, December 13). Mental health and substance use state fact sheets. KFF. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.kff.org/statedata/mental-health-and-substance-use-state-fact-sheets/california/

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, December 29). Mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic - the United States, June 24–30, 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 19, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm

Abortions: Restricting them is restricting human rights

• introduction  

Over the past few years, states like Kentucky, Alabama and Florida have been taking extreme measures in making sure abortions are as restricted as possible, which has sparked outrage across the country, sparking protest and demand to abolish these bills hindering a person’s right to do whatever they want with their body. This situation has been going on since the very conception of the pro life vs pro choice debate, as many people who are pro life and conservatives have been battling to make sure abortions are to be as lenient and as unavailable as legally possible, these bills are these said example. 

• The bill
• 
  

     Texas is home to one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the u.s, restricting abortions by putting a timer/due time by six weeks, the bill also state that no exceptions, that being rape and other examples of such, will be made, all abortions must follow these laws, if not, the person in question will faced with charges against them including murder over a fetus due to said time limit.

• The consequences

The consequences of these anti abortion bills are unimaginably dire for those who are wishing to get an abortion, as these bills give more linear due dates for the baby, that being the six weeks, which is almost unfair and unreasonable due to the fact that according to research by institutions like the cleveland clinic, they state that a person won’t figure out that their pregnant until three to four weeks and in some cases, they don’t even figure it until the six week limit is up. Unfair time limits for abortions are a very difficult and inhuman problem these people have to go through Especially if the pregnancy is a result of unforeseen events, which these laws don’t make exceptions for in the slightest, they do not make exceptions to those who are a victim of rape, which is a vial and disgusting rule to put in a bill. The physical and psychological trauma a person has to go through will be unimaginable and they will most likely do anything to get the abortion, leading to the likely rise of unsafe abortion, a very dangerous procedure that can put a persons life at risk, almost 25 million unsafe abortions occurs each year, and almost 23,000 deaths occurr each time, not only in American but across the world, however cases of unsafe abortion will potentially rise along with stricter and harsher abortion laws being passed, leading to more injuries and death in the u.s. not only does a bull affect a state it’s made in but it will have a domino effect that will lead to most states adopting similar laws as well, leading to said events to occur. A dire situation that most people are in right now, however it’s not truly a hopeless one 

• What we can do

People should have the right to do what they want to their body and they have a right to get an abortion! So, how do we help? Spread the word, protest about these laws, make sure that they don’t continue to spread across the u.s, talk to your governors, your senators about protecting the laws that were already established by the Roe V. Wade ruling, which protects all woman’s rights to an abortion, regardless of time and free of any interference. It’s the time to act for the people, their rights and their free will and not let these laws affect anymore lives!

 Reference

Pregnancy: Am I pregnant. The Cleveland clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9709-pregnancy-am-i-pregnant#:~:text=Despite%20its%20early%20appearance%20in,for%20a%20positive%20pregnancy%20test.

 

Unsafe abortions . Wikipedia . (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2022, from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsafe_abortion#:~:text=Unsafe%20abortions%20result%20in%20complications,all%20deaths%20during%20this%20period).