Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Older women more likely to be depressed--wonder why?

According to Yale researchers, older women are more likely than older men to suffer from depression.

Perhaps towards the end of the line, large portions of women are realizing that seeking fulfillment through the culturally sanctioned nuclear family, and under heteronormative compliance, betting one's happiness on the husband and kids--is ultimately a failed mission. Maybe if women were culturally nurtured to please themselves instead of others, this would not be a general trend.

I can't help but think of the image of the ever-giving, ever-sacrificing mother. Yes, drain your spirit and life for every one other than yourself. Continue to put yourself last, because that is when you are of worth. We socialize you to over-emote, hold it in, and then neglect yourself. On top of that, we think that everything is your fault. Then we study these statistics and think "hmm?"

Can't help but wonder how these finding will changes as gender roles continue to slowly change over time?

I will write a follow-up blog in half of a century. We will see where lifestyle-rebellion lands me.

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