Chapter 5: Reproductive Choices

In Chapter five relationships and choices, such as reproductive choices. When trying to adopt a child, there are certain obstacles that arise, specifically confidential and open adoptions.  Open adoptions are when the adoptive and birth parents openly discuss their relationships for once the child is born. They can decide if their relationship with be ongoing openly. In a confidential adoption, the two parents, birth and adoptive, never meet or get to know each other. There are a few things to consider when deciding to become a parent. First, one should be aware of all the types of contraceptives that are available for males and females. Oral contraceptives pills are containing synthetic hormones that prevent ovulation by regulating hormones. They are the most commonly used birth control method. I learned a great deal in this chapter, more than I learned in any high school class.

 

Chapter 4: Relationships

After learning about Sternberg’s theory of a loving relationship, I would have to agree with his theory that the three components consist of intimacy, passion, and commitment. Each component benefits a couple in different ways, specifically, intimate relationships help grow strong a feeling of love both emotionally or spiritually. Secondly, passion would have to do with a sexual level between the couple. But I believe commitment is the most important to a loving relationship. For two individuals to have a healthy relationship they must be open with one another and committed to the relationship fully. Another aspect I find important is companionate love, which as we know is commitment + intimacy.

As a college student, there are many temptations and expectations that have to do with sex. I however, recently just became single after being in a relationship for almost nine years. Being in a long distance relationship in college is hard enough, but with so many of your friends and peers going out and hooking up with people makes it even harder. I have helped my sexually active friends make it a point to discuss sexually transmitted diseases with their partner(s). And I have learned through them that good communication and acknowledgment has not only helped them discuss things but also sexually help them.

Social media has completely changed the dating world. Between Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram it’s hard to find someone who is serious about a being in a relationship. Many of my friends are currently on dating apps, like Match, Tinder, and Bumble because they are just looking to talk to someone they normally wouldn’t find on a regular encounter. So, it wasn’t surprising to read that 35% of couples who met online got married between 2005-2015 because that seems to be when online dating hit its peak. I think it social media could be an advantage or disadvantage to someone but it all depends on how they are using it for themselves.  

 

Here is one picture from my internship at ISlide, where we have been preparing all week for the NBA All Star game and the picture to the right is me in my meditation and self relaxation class!

Week 3: Stress

It’s funny to me that this week’s chapter is on Stress. Stress is a part of my life from the minute I wake up to when I fall asleep. I have never been able to deal with stress well, but this chapter gave me new outlook into it all.

I learned that there are many different types of stress, including stressor, distress, eustress, acute stress, episodic acute stress, chronic stress, and traumatic stress. Stress, by definition, is the mental and physical response and adaptation by our bodies to the real or perceived changes and challenges in our lives. Personally, I am an episodic acute stressor. I tend to work myself up over the little stuff, and focus my energy on the negative things especially right now. I am currently juggling too much for myself and its taking a toll on not only my academics and family life.

I’ve recently been taking a meditation and self-relaxation class on campus that has taught me how to deal with my stress. I have learned how to meditate by controlling my breathing I do this by tipping my head a little forward with the chin slightly tucked in so that the eyes are cast down. I have been practicing this the last three weeks almost daily while driving or sitting at my internship. This picture shows me taking time for myself at the end of a long day watching HGTV and enjoying Tom Brady’s successful win from Sunday.