For the Love of Humans
The blog on all things human.
What is this all about?
In search of an outlet for my interest in the field of anthropology I have decided to compose a record of the research I do on the subject, and also my feelings on these subjects. It is my intention to include in this blog subjects that are also not traditionally associated with the field of anthropology (hence my description of the blog as "all things human", not "a blog on anthropology"). Humans have and continue to make amazing discoveries, do incredible things, show unparalleled compassion, and evolve into a species that I am proud to be a part of. I plan to document and discuss these discoveries, achievements, examples of compassion, and instances of evolution (both biologically and socially). Millions of factors influence human life daily, and I also plan to document those factors and their effects on the human race. I hope you enjoy what I have to say, and that anyone viewing this blog feels welcome to join in on the conversation.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
India's Untouchables
With the introduction of these village health workers much of the infant mortality and leprosy that was common in the village has been done away with. One worker stated that she has delivered 551 babies and has yet to lose a single mother or child. Now almost all the village children receive vaccinations. These women who have received little to no education, hold no medical degree of any kind, and were as of a few years ago considered untouchable are slowly transforming rural India into a place of acceptance and health. These small steps have and continue to allow rural Indian culture to evolve into one that prides itself on it's preservation of the human rights that it used to deny to the poor, destitute, female, young, and/ or uneducated members of it's society.
Information obtained from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/12/community-doctors/rosenberg-text/1 and http://www.jamkhed.org/impact.shtml.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Brazilian Fertility Rates
Brazil is a country that takes its religion seriously. That religion is Catholicism. So how might you ask, is a country where abortion is illegal, Catholicism reigns supreme, and no federal birth control polices have ever been enforced dropping its fertility rate faster than flies? The short answer is, they have embraced the concept of "girl power". Brazil's rapid industrialization has led to a serious attitude change by Brazilian women. By providing them with access to education, contraceptive methods, and new female stereotypes of strong career women Brazilian society has changed the face of it's women forever. The women that used to have have six to eight children are now educating early, reproducing late, and ultimately stopping altogether after the first or second child. They are pursuing careers and becoming equals with their male counterparts. What took other countries a century and a handful of federal birth control policies Brazil has done in twenty five years with rapid industrialization, strong soap opera women, and an unregulated pharmaceutical market.
Information obtained from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/09/girl-power/gorney-text and http://pulitzercenter.org/projects/brazil-family-planning-birth-rate-women-health.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Get in, and drive
As cars became more popular it became easier for mothers to work, children to go off to college, and whole families to uproot themselves and start fresh. In modern families it is rare to see the concept of a "family home" embraced anymore. Recently I met a woman who told me that she lived in the same home she and her mother were born in. I was in awe. It is hard to find someone who lives in their childhood home anymore, and the car is the culprit behind this.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Thirst
Aside from the cultural issues that arise from these treks for water many biological issues continue to weaken water starved communities as well. As human population soars and pollution spreads less and less water is available to these women and their families. This growing epidemic forces more families to obtain their water from dangerously polluted and bacteria ridden sources. It is because of this that a Konso, Ethiopia clinic treats 70% of their patients for water born diseases. An approximate 3.3 million die from these same diseases every year. Outreach programs have slowly started to change the face of these statistics though. The Pur company has recently made a powder that kills bacteria and clumps dirt, metals, and parasites so that they can be easily filtered. Aid groups are currently working to distribute this powder to areas in need. A Swiss water disinfection system called SODIS is being taught to communities worldwide. The process involves removing the label from a plastic PET bottle, filling it with water that inst overly murky, and placing it in direct sunlight for six hours. This process has led to a drop in absences at the Ndolela Primary School in Tanzania. Because of this the number of students passing their 6th grade exams has risen 80%.
Aid groups all over are working to bring water closer to families, and help them clean it. When societies have easy access to clean water social and cultural evolution is jump started. Societies previously infamous for oppression can suddenly become famous for their cultural leaps that took developed countries centuries to make. What are your thoughts on the ability of water to cause social and cultural evolution? Please feel free to comment, question, and criticize.
Information obtained from April 2010 issue of National Geographic and water.org
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Revolution Called Agriculture
There are mixed emotions about the agricultural revolution. Some believe it is one of the best things that happened to humans. Some believe that it, in short, was not. I am one of those people. Do not get me wrong, I am a big fan of the advances that have come as a result of the agricultural revolution. I am however not a huge fan of some of the social changes that it brought about, especially regarding attitudes towards women.