Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 04:01
Article here. Maybe some of those pink ribbons should have a little blue added to them in places. Then again, ask for donations to help fight breast cancer in men and you're likely to get a dirty look. Ask for the same for women, and the wallets open up. Can you believe there are still some feminists who can keep a straight face and say that women are not getting enough attention from researchers for their particular ailments? Admittedly, the incidence compared with women is 1/100th, so epidemiologically, it's considered "insignificant". Say that to someone whose dad just died from it and see what they tell you. The denial around male health issues would be funny for its ridiculousness if it were not for the tragic consequences. Excerpt:
'The focus of Breast Cancer Awareness efforts are focused on women -- the ribbons are pink, after all. But men can get breast cancer too.
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 03:53
Article here. Excerpt:
'Cumbria mental health service is supporting a campaign by the Samaritans to try and reduce the number of suicides in young men.
Dr Richard Thwaites, Clinical Lead for the Cumbria mental health service First Step, explains:
“About three quarters of suicides in Cumbria are among men. I think the new campaign from the Samaritans is a great opportunity to raise awareness and encourage men to seek help when they need it.
"Men can be hesitant to seek treatment for psychological problems for various reasons, such as a belief that they ‘should’ be able to cope or that experiencing such problems makes them weak. Clearly this isn’t true - First Step receives referrals for over 6,000 men each year suffering with such problems.
"This is a normal part of life for men, even if it’s not as widely discussed as it may be for women. First Step offers a range of evidence-based treatments that can help men to understand and change the way they have been feeling.'
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 03:51
As most of you might know from previous comments, I am fine with an ever-decreasing birthrate. The planet's population has exploded over the past 200-300 years, largely due to increased hygiene (including the invention of the toothbrush) and better nutrition generally, and that doesn't bode well for the future. But while the low birthrate we see in the western world may trouble some, even more troubling is the very high birthrates in parts of the world that can least afford adding to their populations, resulting in unnecessary suffering and conflict over ever-scarcer resources.
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 03:39
Article here. Excerpt:
'In a major study, researchers said family structures had a much more significant effect on boys’ early education than school type or even the gender of teachers.
It found that boys were much more likely to misbehave, be excluded from school and go on to achieve low grades after rebelling against “emotionally distant” parents.
The pattern is particularly marked in single-parent families where mothers “invest disproportionately less in their sons or feel less warm toward them” than daughters.
The disclosure comes amid continuing concern over the gender gap at the heart of the education system.
Data shows boys fall behind girls after just a year of school and the gulf widens throughout primary and secondary education.'
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 03:36
In a few short days we will face the most important presidential election in our lifetimes.
Will you look back on Nov. 6, 2012 and say that you did everything that you could to affect the outcome?
You still have time to make a difference. Between now and Tuesday, contact your local political party, volunteer to do neighborhood canvassing, make voter calls, and attend local rallies.
Think how proud you'll feel when we are that much closer to reform.
http://www.saveservices.org/campaign-2012
Teri Stoddard, Program Director
Stop Abusive and Violent Environments
www.saveservices.org
Submitted by Matt on Thu, 2012-11-01 03:34
Submitted by Matt on Wed, 2012-10-31 01:00
Article here. Excerpt:
'In Baltimore, the collection of child support has been outsourced to a private, for-profit company, a subsidiary of Maximus Corp., whose website lauds its ability to "improve collections." This incentivizes a zero-tolerance approach to child-support enforcement, despite research indicating that certain well-defined arrearages will never be collected. In addition, the hidden cost of this merciless and relentless collection process on the underclass of Baltimore is rarely discussed. It results in substantial detriment to young men's lives and thwarts their participation in the formal labor force.
Let's start with wage garnishment. If you owe more than 12 weeks' worth of child support, you can have up to 65 percent of your take-home wages garnished. Let's say you manage to get a job making $10 an hour. This could leave you with as little as $3.50 an hour to pay for rent, utilities, transportation, food and clothing, not to mention caring for your kids.
Submitted by Matt on Wed, 2012-10-31 00:34
Article here. Excerpt:
'CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Fathers' rights pioneer and Chicago-based leading Attorney Jeffery M. Leving will receive the National Lifetime Volunteer Call to Service Award for his commitment as a volunteer for The Fathers & Family Coalition of America (FFCA) on November 2, 2012. This award is presented on behalf of the FFCA and the President's Volunteer Service Awards Points of Light Foundation at the University of Southern California.
The National Lifetime Volunteer Call to Service Award, which President Obama is providing through the Points of Light Foundation, is an esteemed honor as only a few have been presented. James C. Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer and President of the FFCA is delighted that this distinctive award is being presented to Leving.'
Submitted by Matt on Wed, 2012-10-31 00:22
Submitted by Matt on Tue, 2012-10-30 23:54
Article here. Excerpt:
'Three women carrying protest signs marched back and forth in front of the Hunterdon County Courthouse in Flemington for several hours on Friday morning, Oct. 26, criticizing the state’s Family Court. In particular, they objected to putting people in jail for not making required alimony payments because they didn’t have the money.
“Free John Waldorf from Debtor’s Prison,” read one sign. The protest was organized by Deb Frank of Washington Crossing, Pa. Waldorf, her boyfriend, is a former Califon resident, in jail since Oct. 17 because he was only paying $5,500 a month, while he was under a court order to pay $8,000.
...
“But it’s not just this judge, this is throughout the state” that in her view people are being treated unfairly by the courts, said a good friend of Frank’s, Shelia Taylor of Ocean Grove, Monmouth County, who joined her in the protest. Also taking part was another close friend, Janice Klug of Newtown, Pa.
...
Submitted by Mastodon on Sun, 2012-10-28 19:19
Article here. Excerpt:
'Hide what you are about to read from every man who has ever tried to blame his girlfriend's temper on her cycle. There is new evidence that suggests women will snap at their heterosexual partners more often while they are ovulating. Specifically, a recent study suggests that ladies who took, well, everyone's advice and settled down with brainy, stable guys instead of hunky irresponsible playboys are likely to find fault with their mates when they are most fertile.
Submitted by Mastodon on Sun, 2012-10-28 18:43
Story here. Excerpt:
'TRENTON — New Jersey’s government has councils to address a wide array of issues, from government records and local mandates to clean water and the Highlands region.
But a South Jersey legislator feels an important concern is being overlooked, so he’s proposed a council to promote responsible fatherhood.
“Twenty-four million kids under 18 live in homes absent a biological father,” says Assemblyman Troy Singleton, D-Burlington, who notes the proposed panel could identify “needs and priorities relating to fatherhood programs in the state.” The 21-member council also would work to attract federal grants and raise awareness of the impact of absentee fathers, he said.
...
“Getting them to understand the commitment is a challenge,” says Liss, who cites the club’s own Passport to Manhood weekly program for boys 13 through 18. “We get them to understand you have to make responsible decisions. They have to understand the ramifications of fatherhood.”'
Submitted by Matt on Sun, 2012-10-28 18:38
Obesity is now a major health problem not just in the developed world but also in the less-developed world. Reasons are simple: People are getting less exercise by working or working out than ever before. And, people are eating more than they used to by calories per person, and the calories are more likely to come from low-nutrient or out-and-out bad-for-you sources, like soda and processed foods. The stats on developed world obesity are unbelievable, but believe it. Look at this chart for the US. The numbers are very similar in other western countries as well. Notice how the numbers climb for both sexes as people get older. But the real story is how it kills people prematurely. Look at this. Excerpt:
'Recent work commissioned by the Taskforce indicates that if current trends in overweight and obesity continue, there will be approximately 1.75 million deaths at ages 20+ years and 10.3 million premature years of life lost (PYLL) at ages 20–74 years caused by overweight/obesity in Australia in 2011 to 2050. Each Australian aged 20–74 years who dies from overweight/obesity in 2011 to 2050 will lose, on average, 12 years of life before the age of 75 years.'
There's no reason to believe the facts around Australian premature deaths don't hold true for other developed countries' populations. 12 years of life lost due to being obese or overweight. That's incredible.
Submitted by Matt on Sun, 2012-10-28 14:57
Article here. Excerpt:
'NEW YORK (AP) -- Friends and relatives of Yoselyn Ortega, the New York City nanny accused of stabbing two young children to death, said she appeared to be struggling emotionally and financially recently. Few, though, could offer any explanation for what might have caused her to attack the children.
...
"Apparently over the last month she was not herself," said police department spokesman Paul Browne.'
"She snapped," "She was not herself," etc. Well yes, obviously. She was obviously quite "disturbed," enough to murder two children and attempt to kill herself. Makes no difference though. But wait, it may just indeed make a difference because she's a... she.
Submitted by Minuteman on Sun, 2012-10-28 03:35
Link here. Excerpt:
'Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd wrote his own version of what happened when he was dumped by his party for one-term MP Maxine McKew's book about her time in politics, "Tales From The Political Trenches".
Rudd said that he felt "betrayed" by then Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and losing the top job was exacerbated by the fact that he had supported her ambitions.
"I too wanted to see a female prime minister. So given all of that, I was stunned when the coup occurred," he wrote.'
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