Heavy Drinking Among College Women Leading To Better Condom Use

People always get panicky when it comes to young women and sex, but throw alcohol and drugs into the mix and you've got some serious, widespread hysteria going on.
But recent statistics show us there's little to fear, and actually, quite a bit to be hopeful for. A year-long study found that young women are much better about using condoms after they've been drinking or smoking marijuana- both better than what was previously thought and their male sexual partners [Certain].
Around 70% of sexual acts taken after drinking involved a condom, whereas only 59% of those sober were [Walsh]. Even in instances where four or more alcoholic beverages were consumed, college girls were still adamant about protection. Let's face it: no one wants to take Plan B while hung-over, right?

Has there been a revolution in the way college kids view and use condoms? Does it have something to do with how easy it is to access condoms on college campuses these days?

Previous studies have found that students are either reluctant or ignorant about safe sex.

But that doesn't seem to be the case anymore- now, it's almost expected, whether intoxicated or not, that a condom be involved in the act. The study even found was that for some young women, particularly those who were Asian and Asian-American, drinking may have even made them bolder in requesting that their partners use a condom [Walsh].

Young women who smoked marijuana before or during a sexual act were also more likely to use a condom than during smoke-free acts- 67% of women having sex while high used condoms, as opposed to the 61% who did while not smoking [Walsh]. This is not significant enough to make a huge difference, although women who engaged in sex with a steady relationship partner while high were much less-likely to use a condom than almost every other group.

In fact, whether or not the relationship was steady or casual was the biggest indicator of whether or not proper protection was used, far more than any substance use. Those who engaged in relationships with a steady partner were more relaxed about condom usage.

Many were using other forms of contraception, and no doubt figured they could forgo the latex with a partner they trusted. But those sexual encounters that took place with a new person or a casual relationship weren't as trusting. Wisely so. We've mentioned previously that nearly 1 in 4 college students have contracted an STD or STI at some point.

While it does make us hopeful that young people are moving in a safe direction, more studies should be done before any hypothesis about drinking and condom usage are considered proven. Since this particular one only examined young women at a northeastern university with an already high rate of condom use, a survey of different schools around the country that have different types of safe sex programs may yield far different results, as could examining a group of young men, or women who are not in college. But we are looking forward to a brighter future with young people who know when to wrap it.
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[Walsh, Jennifer L.; Fielder, Robyn; Carey, Kate B.; Carey, Michael P. Journal of Sex Research (2013): Do Alcohol and Marijuana Use Decrease the Probability of Condom Use for College Women?]

Have Your Children Involved In Crafting By Using A Self Healing Cutting Mat

The arts and craft past time is a superb hobby to be in. It's not only relaxing it also can help you get those brain cells working. In addition, it provides you with that feeling of fulfillment by constructing something from nothing. Because of these and several other reasons, this interest is something that anyone especially boys and girls can benefit from.

It's certainly lovely to have you and your little ones develop something simply by working together. It can actually enable you to get much closer and develop your connection. By doing this you could also help get your little ones away from their devices occasionally.

To help you achieve a good and safe crafting session, below are some tips that could come in handy.

Use a self healing cutting mat

That is correct, you read it right. I recommend that you obtain a self healing cutting mat and not those ordinary hard kinds. The reason behind this is that self healing cutting mats is able to offer your household furniture ideal protection and it also last longer. Additionally, it is really friendly to cutting blades. This means that the dulling of your cutters can be reduced considerably reducing the actual need to buy and swap it.

Another reason why I propose you a self healing mat is because of its self healing capabilities. My kids really like to slice and see the mat seal itself.

Be presently there for your kids

In the event you're gonna be performing some arts and crafts then be sure that you're both mentally and physically there for your youngster. If you're too tied up then it might not be the correct idea to start with the crafting session yet. Your young ones may need your support and help throughout the project. Please remember that the reason why you're doing this is to connect and create a good relationship with them.
It's the quest not really the end point

Seeing that you're working with youngsters the end result of the project are probably not really how you envisioned it to be. If you notice your kids working on something not to your preference don't grab the project and do it on their behalf. Provide assistance and instruct them how. Keep in mind the important factor is the time you spent together with each other and not the result of the activity.

Enjoy it

Do not forget that the whole objective of the activity is to have a great time. Regardless how the project turns out or if you or your little one made a number of errors it's about having fun.

Make the actual experience special and precious, this way your kids will continue to like carrying this pastime along with you.

I hope that you find these guidelines beneficial when you are crafting with your youngsters.
Be sure to really have fun and take pleasure in the time with your children. Also, always remember to utilize a top quality cutting mat when you are crafting.

Why Women Still Can't Have It All

In 2012, Princeton University professor Anne-Marie Slaughter wrote an article that attracted attention from all around the world. Why did her article attract so much attention? Instead of spreading the falsehood that women can have it all, Slaughter boldly told the truth. She said women can't have it all.

As women, we tell ourselves that we can have both a family and a career if we are committed enough, dedicated enough, hardworking enough, have a partner who helps out at home, or if we delay having children. Slaughter says while these aren't lies, they are partial truths at best. They are partial truths because barriers and flaws exist in our world that continue to hold women back making it impossible for women to have it all.
Slaughter believes we must clear stories like these out of the way in order to make room for more honest and productive discussions. Instead of spreading myths that keep barriers and flaws intact, we need to talk about real solutions to the problems faced by women who work today.

As women, we are blessed to have been born when we were. Our mothers and grandmothers were expected to get married, stay home and raise their kids. Those who wanted a career outside the home faced many challenges including overt sexism. These women knew the only way to succeed in their career was to act like a man and to never talk about their children while at work.

While we've seen many improvements since these early days of feminism, we still have many challenges ahead. While women today are paid more than in previous generations, graduate from university in record numbers, hold more leadership positions and enjoy more prestige than ever before, men continue to dominate the highest paying jobs and most top-level leadership positions. Many women today are single mothers and others struggle to find jobs. Some support husbands who cannot find work and others struggle to find quality daycare they can afford. The very few women who make it to the top of their organizations have to be superwomen to get there. They make enormous personal sacrifices and work extremely hard in order to overcome the barriers and ceilings that stand in their way.

Companies are beginning to realize that when they make changes to enhance work life for women, these changes actually improve work life for all employees. Studies show that when companies have good family-friendly policies like flexible work hours, job sharing, on-site daycares and the ability to occasionally work from home, they are able to attract better talent and this raises productivity. Creativity experts say that connecting play and imagination in the workplace is important too, in order to unleash creativity in employees. Companies like Google have embraced this idea. They encourage play with Ping-Pong tables, light sabers, and policies that allow employees to work on whatever they wish one day a week.

Economists Justin Wolfers and Betsey Stevenson report that women are less happy today than they were in 1972. They call this the paradox of declining female happiness. They say this "unhappiness difference" creates a new gender gap that isn't measured by salary but is measured by well-being and happiness instead. They believe the best way to improve the lot of all women is to close the leadership gap. They say that only when women hold power in ample numbers will we create a society that authentically works for all women. And a society that authentically works for all women, they insist, will authentically work for everyone.

We are all out of work-life balance. We are busy and stressed beyond belief. There are never enough hours in the day and we find it impossible to do all the things we know we should. We don't sleep enough or exercise enough, we have significant demands from our jobs, we feel the pressure that comes with raising children, and our children themselves lead increasingly busy lives. We know there are huge emotional and health costs to this lifestyle, yet we keep running hard because we don't know how to stop.

In an article called The Great Burnout, author Maryam Sanati writes that the 12-hour workday used to be the exception, but now it's the norm. Sylvia Ann Hewlett and Carolyn Buck Luce, both of Columbia University, say we have become "extreme workers." Jeff Muzzerall, former director of the MBA Corporate Connections Center at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, says that a devotion to endless workdays has become culturally ingrained.

Because we are out of balance, our world is out of balance too. Gaps continue to grow between the rich and the poor, and food and water crises are rising. More than a billion people are starving, yet a billion and a half adults are overweight and half the food produced in the United States is thrown away. Our current methods of mass food production through factory farming, along with an overuse of antibiotics and pesticides, are making people and the environment sick. We are in a time of worldwide economic meltdown. We are increasingly dependent on oil, have experienced a massive erosion in public trust, and our planet is ecologically imperiled. Our weather patterns are intensifying as we experience hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts, snow, ice storms, and floods of unbelievable severity. Violence, war and terrorism are "normal" ways of life.

Slaughter tells us that seeking a more balanced life is not a women's issue, it's an issue for all of us. Change is possible but we need to rethink how we live, work and even play. We need to create new structures and systems that are balanced, practical and grounded, empowered and empowering. For example, Deborah Epstein Henry, a former litigator for a large law firm says that the billable hour, the way the legal system charges for its services, has "perverted" the legal industry, leading to excessive work hours, massive inefficiency and highly inflated costs. The answer, she contends, is a combination of alternative fee structures, virtual firms, female-owned firms and the outsourcing of certain legal jobs to other areas. Women and younger lawyers are beginning to push for these changes.

 Clients who are tired of inflated legal fees are demanding change as well.

If women are going to achieve real equality and help to create a better world for everyone, we must stop accepting traditional male behaviour and traditional male choices as the ideal. Slaughter reminds us that our behaviour and our choices as women matter too.

In order to create a better world, men will need to begin to ask how they can manage a better work-life balance just as women have always done. They too will need to figure out how to balance active parenthood with their professional careers.

If we have these conversations and if we encourage women to take on more active leadership positions, together we'll create a world that will properly focus on how to help everyone lead happy, healthy and productive lives.

Then and only then will we be able to rebalance ourselves and the world.

Then and only then will women (and men) truly be able to have it all.

Debbie L. Kasman is author of the book Lotus of the Heart: Reshaping the Human and Collective Soul and she blogs weekly about topics that pertain to spirituality, education and female leadership.

Ancient Goddess Stories Are Important Today

Many people have heard or read Greek and Roman goddess myths in literature classes or as part of modern fiction. Yet many of us are completely unaware of the thousands of goddess stories that have been told in cultures around the world from a few millennia ago to current day. These stories have persisted because they have important lessons about basic human needs and conditions. They also open our hearts to recognizing the importance of the divine feminine spirit in a world often dominated by masculine energy.
When I first began leading groups of women and girls to explore ancient feminine myths (so many moons ago!), I was amazed at the depth of meaning and value we found in these remarkable stories. Layer upon layer of understanding led to personal reflection and growth.
Each girl and every woman connected with a different part of the story. Sometimes it was a particular character and other times the location where a story took place; and in a few instances, it was an animal or another non-human aspect to the story.

Hearing a myth told by a "carrier" of the stories who has known and loved that story and pondered its meaning over time is especially delicious! We have an innate connection to these myths, bound by loving threads in a nurturing sisterhood that transcends space and time. We can "pick up our thread" and tap into the vast wisdom it connects to whenever we decide it is time... Through goddess myths:

#1 We can learn about the values of lands we may never visit and people we may never know - yet they hold Universal Truths that can be applied to our own individual lives. When Kuan Yin's father wants her to marry for social status, Kuan Yin chooses instead to follow her heart into a destined path of service. Kuan Yin stories from the Chinese Buddhist tradition have produced a divine feminine presence revered throughout many countries as "she who hears the cries of the world."

#2 We can see that even the most proficient amongst us encounters challenges (for goddesses often possess super-powers, yet they still face challenges) and it is through those challenges that they (and we) are shaped into the very best yet-to-be. Rhiannon, the Celtic goddess of birds and horses, experienced a remarkable challenge which, in the end, gave her strength to not ever discount her belief in herself.

#3 We learn that human emotions are the same no matter what the culture or where or when they are felt. Sometimes we must continue, knowing that "this too shall pass." Imanja, Brazilian goddess of the ocean is known as "she who endures," because she was brought from Africa with the slave trade and continued to guide her people as they struggled through hundreds of years of mistreatment.

#4 Goddess stories offer us great examples of a moral feminine code to live by. When Amaterasu is repeatedly disrespected by her brother Susanowo, instead of lashing out she retreats into a cave to get others to take action. In the end, Amaterasu, the Shinto Sun Goddess gets a lot of attention because the withdrawal of her beautiful light is sorely missed!

I have shared these stories with special needs girls, mothers and daughters, and women felons in the county jail. The meaning of the stories continues to stir long after the story has been told... So settle in... make yourself comfortable. And let me tell you a story!

alimdthfr@yahoo.com

Tips On Exciting And Different Valentine Gifts For Her

If you're in the market for the perfect valentine gifts for her, you must look into giving completely unique gifts that make for life long memories. Don't even think about the usual presents like gourmet chocolates or roses. You should be a good deal more resourceful by looking at other resources apart from the more common choices like earrings, watches, dinner out and a bouquet of flowers. Experience gifts end up being more treasured and enjoyable.

Experience gifts help make dreams be realized and you can now see your partner's wishes become real life through a valentine's present. For instance, if your special lady or wife has wanted to go on a ride on a boat, you can have it setup and also make the experience more significant. Get a chef create her favorite meal and delight in dinner with your sweetheart while the vessel cruises across the bay.

Gals like eating out and you can now make this kind of night out special by choosing a special upscale location like a hotel. Be sure that the hotel you decide on is recognized to serve fine food and actually serves the dishes your lady would want to eat. You might at the same time arrange a nice room for the night to head up to right after dinner. Get yourself a baby sitter for the evening so that the both of you can cherish valentine's day.

If you have an athletic girlfriend, she may be attracted to extreme sports like drag racing or kite-surfing. Give your partner free lessons for a the activity of her choice. This is something the majority of active ladies are rarely getting to experience very often possibly due to career or family limits. A day doing sporting activities is exhilarating and will be an amazing experience for your love.

If intense sports are not on your loved one's bucket list, she may like to try something a bit less physically demanding like playing golf. Get her a few lessons at the local golf course and then see if she gets an understanding for the game of golf. Your gal or better half might want to keep on trying to learn and actively playing the sport and this would be a good time to purchase her a nice set of clubs.

For ladies with a bit more daring pursuits, look into gifting her with flying lessons. Flying is a popular wish for lots of people, both men and women. By giving her the chance to experience flying on her own, you will have accomplished a life time dream. Flying instruction should always be given by pro instructors.

 Find out about instructional classes that will get her flying as quickly as possible.

Who knows, your gal might want to have a shot at driving around an actual race track. See whether you can get a professional race car driver to teach her how to handle an authentic race car. After a couple of laps, she may be driving around a race track like a pro driver. This type of gift isn't just for men and your significant other may possibly love to do this for even just one day.

These are a handful of Valentine's gifts for her that can generate unforgettable memories. Valentine's day this February could very well be completely different from the others, by simply creating a truly distinctive experience for your loved one. Not all fellas can make this kind of impact on Valentine's day with standard presents like a bouquet of flowers and chocolates.

Valentine Gift Ideas: Timeless Jewelry Pieces

In a few days, Valentine's Day is the date to remember. Lovers around the world are busy with ideas on how to celebrate this lovely day. Everyone is busy making reservations with hotels and restaurants. For others, it is a good reason to buy a special Valentine day's gift.

So what do you have in mind?

This is a proper time to buy jewelry for your wife. She would absolutely love you more when you present her with a jeweled watch. Never mind if it costs you a great deal of amount charged to your credit card. You know it would make her happy, and you very well know she does not have too many pieces in her collection. Likewise, your husband would appreciate new gold plated cufflinks. A gold tie pin or even a silver bracelet is also a wonderful gift idea to make your husband happy.

Your girlfriend would surely appreciate a gold necklace with a heart shaped pendant, or a charm bracelet with both your names imbedded inside. Match it with her favorite flowers and a loving note to make her thrilled throughout the day. Your boyfriend would happy to receive 
a matching charm bracelet or a beaded necklace to enhance his stylish appeal.

Giving timeless jewelry to your loved ones and on special occasions could drain your finances. Hence, it takes a bit of planning on your part when to give these valuable pieces.

Other than heart's day, you can give jewelry for your wedding anniversary, as a graduation gift to your child, as a wedding gift and as a hand-me-down gift to members of your family.

You can go to jewelry boutiques and choose the piece, which you think you can purchase within your means, and also, importantly, one that would make the receiver happy. You just have to allot enough time to come up with the amount of money to buy your preferred piece before the special event. At any rate, you have no regrets about doing this.

Suffice to say, jewelry that can be handed down to future generations is great investment.
These pieces of jewelry go beyond fashion and generation. You can dress up your look any time, and add a special touch to your dress down days. Jewelry comes in the form of precious stones, gemstones, birth stones, carat diamonds, gold and silver pieces,

Why Women Love To Wear Jewelry

A general conclusion says that women are often picky with what they wear. You can look at a woman and find her wearing stylish clothes with matching fashionable jewelry in any given situation. From head to toe, you would be amazed how a lady can dish out her style, and

come out as a complete look that simply gets your attention.

As a career woman, you would likely be at your best appearance always. Your want your persona to create a professional authority. Consequently, there are certain jewelries that reflect such purpose. You can go to the office for a meeting and wear a pair of pearl earrings complemented with a necklace and bracelet. Truly, this jewelry set creates a glam look.

Women love to wear jewelry no matter what activity they want to do. You could wear them when shopping, going to your laundry shop, and to whatever errands you have to finish on your day. Likewise, no one can prevent you when you want to wear fashion accessories when you go jogging around. So you want to look dolled up during your aerobics class, wearing glitter on your shoes and head gear, as long as you are comfortable, why not? Incidentally, a famous professional tennis player never forgets to wear her gold drop earrings for each tournament. She looks fantastic on the court, and most of the time she wins. Her sports attire includes her jewelry, and who knows, brings good luck to her.

So why wear jewelry? As a woman, you are always wary of your total look. Without jewelry on you, you feel something lacking in your appearance. You believe something beautiful like an ornament adds sparkle to your personality. You believe that wearing jewelry brings out the feminine stance in you. Regardless if you are a teenager, middle aged or in your senior years, you love jewelry because it makes you stand out on your own style and brings out the confident look in you.

With regards to trendy styles, women often look to jewelry to update their appearance. Fashion jewelry includes different sizes of necklaces, earrings, rings, anklets, bracelets, tiaras as well as decorative lapel pins, headbands, hair clips and pins.