Category: The World

Silent Struggles: Women’s Mental Health in the 1950’s 

Harshitha Chaganti 
October 2024

Today mental health awareness has been deeply engraved into society; however,  for those alive during the 1950’s, like Marilyn Monroe and Rosemary Kennedey, the topic of mental health was seen as a taboo. Those who expressed struggles with their mental health were quickly labeled as “lunatics’ and often faced harsh prejudices. The experiences of the women that came forward made it even more unlikely that other women would follow. Women faced heightened mental health issues due to the expectation of perfection, with emotional struggles often dismissed as “hysteria” or weakness, leading to isolation and inadequate care. The lives of many celebrities and public figures is a powerful example of how this stigma affected women in the spotlight. 

Those who expressed themselves  were subjected to severe discrimination. Many were labeled as “unstable” or “hysterical,” leading to social isolation or damaged reputation, particularly for women. In Hollywood, this could mean being dropped from film roles, losing contracts, or being forced into secrecy to maintain a perfect public image. 

Although Norma Jean Monroe was consistently seen in the spotlight by her stage name Marilyn, she was open about her struggles with depression and anxiety, at a time when admitting to such issues would ruin her career. Her decision to seek help likely stemmed from her childhood experiences, having grown up with a mother who was frequently in and out of asylums. Despite her efforts to seek out therapy, the limited understanding and support available at the time often left her feeling misunderstood and isolated.        

Tragically, on August 5, 1962, she found dead from an apparent overdose, her death was ruled a  probable suicide, though conspiracy theories have persisted over the years. Monroe had long struggled with her mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, compounded with her tumultuous personal life and highlighted the immense pressures she faced and the lack of effective mental health care during her time. Her death shocked the world and became a symbol of the darker side of fame and the toll it can take on mental health.

Back then, treatments for mental health issues were often harsh and limited. Common methods of treatments include things such as: electroconvulsive therapy(ECT), which involves sending electric currents through the brain, and lobotomies, a surgical procedure that aimed to reduce symptoms but often left patients with severe side effects. Psychoanalysis was also popular, with therapists exploring unconscious thoughts, but it wasn’t always effective. Many people were sent to mental institutions, where conditions could be poor and treatment was not always helpful.

A tragic and well-known cause of one of treatment involved Rose Marie “ Rosemary” Kennedy, the sister of former President John F. Kennedy. She underwent a lobotomy in 1941, a procedure that was intended to manage her mood swings and behavioral issues. However, the surgery left her with severe cognitive and physical impairments, requiring her to live in a care facility for the rest of her life. Her story highlights the dangers and lasting consequences of the harsh mental health treatments used during that era. 

The experiences of celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Rosemary Kennedy and others in the 1950s revealed the harsh realities and stigma surrounding mental health during the time. Limited understanding and extreme treatments often left individuals struggling in silence, facing damaging consequences.These stories highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues with compassion and proper care, a shift that began to take root in the decades that followed.   

References

[1] Blackford, M. (2024, April 20). Marilyn Monroe’s Drug Use And Mental Health Issues. FHE Health. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from  https://fherehab.com/learning/marilyn-monroe-drug-use 

[2] Danise, A. (2022, October 24). What The Life Of Marilyn Monroe Teaches Us About Mental Health And Success Against All Odds. Forbes. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshwilson/2022/10/24/what-the-life-of-marilyn-monroe-teaches-us-about-mental-health-and-success-against-all-odds 

[3] Moore, S. (n.d.). Analyzing the Stigma Surrounding Mental Health. News-Medical. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Analyzing-the-Stigma-Surrounding-Mental-Health.aspx 

[4] Rosemary Kennedy, The Eldest Kennedy Daughter (U.S. (2024, January 24). National Park Service. Retrieved October 12, 2024, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/rosemary-kennedy-the-eldest-kennedy-daughter.htm 

A Tough Pill to Swallow: Women’s Overmedication and Gender Discrimination in Clinics

Aarya Sawant
October 2024

Historically, women have been barred from being physicians due to a number of obstacles set in place. This has resulted in a male-centric view of medicine which has often cost women their lives due to ignorance in biological sex differences. Despite advances in gender equality, this gender bias persists in hospitals to this day.

Prescription drugs are a vital part of the healthcare system, and one that is only going to grow bigger with time as technology advances. Approximately 131 million people in the United states use prescription drugs–75% of whom are women.^[1] Children born in 2019 are predicted to spend half of their life taking medication, with women likely spending an estimated 60% (around 50 years) doing so.^[2] In fact, women are more likely to take drugs overall, due to obvious factors such as birth control and contraceptives.^[2]

With this in mind, it’s shocking to discover that women are excluded from clinical trials, usually due to the reasoning that hormone cycles will provide misleading results.^[3] Additionally, women of child-bearing age have been restricted from being tested due to fear of potential birth complications. Instead, men are considered the standard patient, making sweeping generalizations that cause real harm. This begins in the initial process as well, as male cells are used in early testing stages.^[3]

As a result, women make up the majority of reported adverse reactions to drugs. Side-effects can most commonly manifest as headaches, nausea, nosebleeds. In more serious cases, patients have been known to suffer from hallucinations, seizures, and cardiac irregularities. Men and women have different levels of metabolism, and women’s kidneys and livers have been observed to process drugs at different rates, as well as drugs lingering longer in the tissue.^[2] This issue affects as many as 86 drugs according to a 2020 study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This includes widely used drugs such as aspirin, morphin, heparin, sertraline, and bupropion.^[4]

This doesn’t end with lab testing either, as it extends further to sexism in clinics. While reports from men of adverse side effects from prescription medication are often confirmed and reported by doctors, women’s are largely self-reported, showing a lack of seriousness when taking these cases into account.^[5]

It’s apparent that we need to change the way we test prescription drugs, as well as managing drug reports by women with a greater degree of seriousness than at present. Only by challenging and changing the long-standing biases within the medical community can we hope to improve health outcomes for women and create a more equitable healthcare system for all. As we look to the future, it is crucial to advocate for policies and practices that prioritize gender inclusivity, ultimately leading to safer and more effective medical care for everyone.

References

[1] Georgetown University. (2019). Prescription Drugs – Health Policy Institute. Health Policy Institute. https://hpi.georgetown.edu/rxdrugs/

[2] Americans will spend half their lives taking prescription drugs, study finds | Penn State University. (2019). Psu.edu. https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/americans-will-spend-half-their-lives-taking-prescription-drugs-study-finds

[3] Lerner, L. (2020, June 22). Women are overmedicated because drug dosage trials are done on men, study finds. University of Chicago News. https://news.uchicago.edu/story/women-are-overmedicated-because-drug-dosage-trials-are-done-men-study-find

[4] Zucker, I., & Prendergast, B. J. (2020). Sex differences in pharmacokinetics predict adverse drug reactions in women. Biology of Sex Differences, 11(1). https://bsd.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13293-020-00308-5[5] Lee, K. M. N., Rushovich, T., Gompers, A., Boulicault, M., Worthington, S., Lockhart, J. W., & Richardson, S. S. (2023). A Gender Hypothesis of sex disparities in adverse drug events. Social Science & Medicine, 339, 116385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116385

The Journey of Women’s Fashion

Tanvir Bhamra
September 2024

As women, fashion has historically been a way for us to express ourselves. This creativity over the years has not only resulted in novice artistic styles, but also led society to controversy over fast-fashion and sizing-inconsistencies. Over time, fashion has evolved from the hand-done craftsmanship of the 18th century to the rapid production cycles of today. While this evolution has made fashion more accessible and diverse, it has also brought new challenges and debates. The ongoing discussion about these issues reflects the impact of fashion on both personal identity and broader societal trends. 

Once the 18th century began, fast fashion became a regular occurrence due to the First Industrial Revolution. Before this, workers made clothes by hand, making it a labor-intensive process. Thus buying new clothes was only exclusive to the upper class. Those who belonged to the middle or lower class heavily depended upon second-hand clothing or ended up making their own. 

When the rise of factories and workshops grew, it became increasingly easier for companies to cut production costs to cater to middle and lower-income consumers. To carry this idea out, companies directed away from heavy gowns, skirts, and blouses, to simple, ready-made designs, which were cheaper to produce.

From the elegance of the early 1900s, upper-class women were expected to dress very modestly, specifically covering the neck to the floor while wearing corsets and dramatic ornaments/sleeves. Still, the 1900s had its fair share of silhouette trends where women who seemed “top-heavy” actually wore looser tops which they stuffed with extra fabric, achieving said shape. 

Today, fashion continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by online trends and social media. While trends still change swiftly, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and body positivity. The rise of eco-friendly brands and movements advocating for diverse sizing and gender-neutral clothing reflects a shift towards more representative practices in the fashion industry. 

However, specific body image issues still persist. Despite progress, many consumers still face challenges with finding flattering and well-fitting clothes due to size inconsistency and limited options for diverse body shapes. I myself have trouble finding clothes that fit my size range and overall style. Many of my jeans don’t fit my waist, and yet the fabric and length are perfect, then there are others where the pockets are small or nonexistent. There is also ongoing criticism faced by major retailers like H&M and Zara participating in fast fashion. The main concern with this is waste, as most of the products end up in dumps and rivers. The fabric being thrown away takes ages to decompose, releasing harmful microplastics and chemicals into our natural ecosystem. Thankfully other businesses do take the extra steps to minimize their environmental impact and shoppers themselves stay away from fast fashion products. 

Fashion has always been a way for people to express themselves, from the hand-crafted garments of the 18th century to today’s fast fashion. While there has been progress in making it more inclusive and sustainable, issues like sizing inconsistencies still remain. The ongoing conversation about these topics highlights the need for a fashion industry that values diversity and prompts positive change. By addressing these challenges, fashion can remain a meaningful and empowering form of self-expression for everyone. 

References

[1] Maiti, R., & Leong, C. (2024, January 5). Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact in 2024. Earth.Org. Retrieved September 14, 2024, from https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/

[2] Reddy, K. (2020, August 18). 1900-1909 | Fashion History Timeline. Fashion History Timeline. Retrieved September 14, 2024, from https://fashionhistory.fitnyc.edu/1900-1909/
[3] Rominger, A. (2023, July 20). The History & Rise of Fast Fashion: From the 18th Century to Today. Cory Ames. Retrieved September 14, 2024, from https://coryames.com/history-of-fast-fashion/