March 8 is an international day celebrating women across the globe. It recognizes what we have done, where we have succeeded, as well as what steps we still have to take. This is a day that honors all that women have accomplished and the steps that we have taken towards complete gender parity. The theme […]
Gender, Mental Health, and Religion/Spirituality by Anna Beard and Catherine Cain
Mental Health When it comes to mental health, research indicates that more women seek out services than men (Mackenzie, Gekoski, & Knox, 2006). Why? That’s an important question. Gender role expectations heavily contribute to this issue. There is a societal expectation for men to be more independent and be more in control of their emotions […]
Women and Politics: Why Our Voices Matter
With the upcoming 2020 election, there is much political tension and uncertainty in our country. In this next season, women’s voices and attendance at the polls will be vital. Currently, women make up 50.8 percent of the population, yet 53 percent of non-voters are female. With these significant numbers, we have to ask, why is […]
Holiday Blues by Joyelle Gaines
FOR THOSE COMING FROM THE DEAN’s ENEWS, HERE IS THE CORRECT LINK TO DR. ELLOR’s ARTICLE: Gerontology expert share tips during coronavirus pandemic (Sorry for the confusion!) _________________________________________ It’s that time of the year again, where we sing about what a wonderful time of the year it is. Hot cocoa, warm fireplaces, Friendsgiving’s and family gatherings […]
Empowerment through a Question
“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” –Voltaire This wise saying challenges us to develop the skill of crafting good questions. As human beings, it is in our natural curiosity to want answers, but how do we arrive at these answers without good questions? Within a study to find best practice […]
Lessons Learned From Corrie ten Boom
“And yet, old friend, books do not age as you and I do. They will speak still when we are gone, to generations we will never see. Yes, the books must survive.” (Rabbi, The Hiding Place) As I learn about the life of Corrie Ten Boom and her family, I am more certain than ever […]
Gender Differences and Spirituality
We live in a world where research is at the tip of our fingers always. One new area of research that is becoming more popular is the study of how spirituality and our social work practice intertwine and how they impact each other. Our practice experiences can influence how we see the world around us, […]
Stigma, Gender Differences, and Mental Health
Every year 1 in 5 American adults will experience a mental health condition (Mental Health Conditions, n.d). Additionally, approximately 30-50% of individuals experience a mental disorder diagnosis in their lifetime (Mackenzie, Gekoski, & Knox, 2006). A mental health diagnosis can permeate every aspect of a person’s life. It can impact their daily living skills along […]
Empowered Women Empower Women
Over the past few years, I have heard the quote, “empowered women empower women.” Without much thought, this quote made sense to me. I thought, “oh, yes, women should mutually encourage one another.” I realize now that it might not be this simple. How can we feel empowered so that we can empower others? The first […]
How Practitioners can Address and Empower Women/Girls who have Experienced Spiritual Injury as a Result of Sexual Abuse
1 in 3 women in the United States experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime (NSVRC.org, 2018). To top it off, 8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone the victim knows, dispelling the common myth about the stranger jumping out of the bushes to grab an unsuspecting woman (RAINN.org, 2019). I […]