Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
“If I talk about emotions or cry, my father says I’m not acting masculine enough.He’s always telling me to go to the gym and lift weights. I wish he would accept me for who I am.”
“My mother got mad at me when I cut my hair really short. She says it’s not feminine. But who says I have to conform to a gender stereotype?”
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Many university students going through the journey of learning who they truly are, face gender and body image issues. Body dissatisfaction is more common among females (Feingold & Mazzella, 1998) and has been f requently indicated by concerns to lose weight (J. K. Thompson et al., 1999). Men also experience body image issues related to their weight, body shape, and appearance, which can lead to detrimental physical and emotional consequences (Harvey & Robinson, 2003;
Maida & Armstrong, 2005; Schneider, Cockcroft, & Hook, 2008).
In today’s society, a distinction is made between gender attributes assigned to females and males. Most people stick to a gender classification which includes expectations of masculinity and femininity (Neil R, Donald, 2009). However, it is still common for people do not identify themselves with any kind of aspect of gender assigned to their biological sex. We want to make you as comfortable as you can be, so you don’t have
the feel pressured by the gender expectations. That’s why this chapter we focus on a great recipe for a healthy and positive attitude, a gender neutral sport suggestion and an extra tip for helping to get a healthy mind.
Can you relate to such statements? Are you starting to have self-doubts on your identity?
Are you worried about the way you look? You are not the only one, such thoughts are extremely
common and there should be no feelings of guilt in you.
wix picture
Wix picture
Super food
BLAT Bowl
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“You are what you eat” - you probably have heard it. We believe that it really is true. Fueling your body with good food is fueling your mind with positive attitudes towards yourself, right? Healthy, strong body is only made with good nutritious food and that is why we are revealing the best salad recipe for you. You know the ones you see on Instagram that look so fresh and yummy - yes, exactly like this. However, we do not put any pressure on you - with or without meat, more veggies or more sauce - you can adjust the recipe the way you like. We do not believe that there is feminine or masculine foods or that we should fit into stereotypes. Let your creativity fly and compose a healthy meal to fuel yourself with.
So here is what you need to make this delicious meal:
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2 eggs
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6 mixed baby tomatoes, halved
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2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
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1 teaspoon chia seeds
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1 avocado, quartered
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4 slices (about 120g) of bacon
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Any kind of salad base or lettuce
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Half a cucumber, sliced
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Dressing - mix all the ingredients together to a smooth mixture
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50g smooth feta
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1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
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1 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
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1 tablespoon white Italian dressing (or vinegar)
Cut all the vegetables and lay them in a bowl. Boil the eggs and fry the bacon and add them to the bowl. Add the dressing, olive oil, and top it off with chia seeds. Enjoy!
Let's get moving
Picture (blat bowl) :https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/blat-bowl-recipe/go81kfct?r=recipes/saladbowlrecipes&c=ytyo355j/Salad%20bowl%20recipes
Every one of you out there should have the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity, regardless of your gender, sexual orientation and abilities.
Evidence reveals that boys are more likely than girls to participate in team sports while girls tend to play individual sports (Colley et al., 2005). Feminine sports are those with strong aesthetic elements whereas masculine sports are those focusing on strength or strong body contact.
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Everyone one of us should live and make daily decisions based on what we like, ignoring the so called “peer pressure” and the gender stereotypes/roles standardized by society. Sport as a matter of fact, should not take into account aesthetical figures, it should embrace values such as integrity and inclusiveness regardless of the physical forms people have. Therefore, go out there and chose a sport you enjoy or feel like trying, whether it’s rugby, ballet, boxing, yoga, football or pilates, just choose one without thinking about your aesthetics and gender.
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"It’s not how you bowl, it’s how you roll."
picture(bowling) : https://www.dorpsdeals.nl/product/bowlen-2-0-baanhuur-bij-leisure-center-boxmeer/
Are you struggling to find a sport which suits you and your personality? Need a tip? Did you ever try Bowling? It is time to try! The Netherlands is full of Bowling alleys and it is mostly played as a leisure sport. Moreover, it is a great way to bond with friends regardless of their physical attributions and their personality. Go click the following link and go to your nearest alley with your friends: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g188553-Activities-c56-t128-oa20-The_Netherlands.htm
Critical thinking skills
In this section we want to emphasize the importance of critical thinking on advertisements, whether it is on TV, a magazine or on a publicity pan on the streets, make sure you are aware of the underlying reasons and strategies used by the advertisers to catch your eye. As you already know, advertisements often reflect an unrealistic concept or give a message which is far beyond from rationality.
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”Advertisement is a powerful manipulative force as well as a powerful creative force. Learning how to identify the different strategies used by advertisers and how they are used is an important life skill and involves critical thinking skills” (Richardson, 2014)
A vast number of advertisements promoting fat loss are often seen as controversial as they spread dangerous messages which can have a dreadful impact on us. The growing weight loss industry is comprised of various services, venues and products including the diet soda market, health clubs, commercial weight loss chains, books and DVDs on exercise and various diets, medical weight loss programs, pills, foods and other products that claim to facilitate weight loss (Ethan, D., Basch, C. H., Hillyer, G. C., Berdnik, A., & Huynh, M. ,2016).
Moreover, the effects of health magazines covering topics such as body image and disordered eating habits can have an effect on the reader’s behavior and health (Botta 2003)
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For example, have a look at this advertisement about XLS Medical shows a woman grabbing her ‘fat’. XLS Medical is a pill that claims to reduce weight 3 times faster than the average time. Colours in advertisements have an effect on consumer behaviour. The advertisement includes the colour orange which according to Widrich (2013), gives a sense for “action”; As a matter of fact, the advertisement states the phrase “It’s time for action”. The name Medical does show that it is a product that is meant for medical use.
This may convince people to buy the product.
Grabbits. (2019). Afvallen met XL-S Medical, werkt dat echt? Retrieved 8 November 2019, from https://www.grabbits.nl/artikel/afvallen_met_xl_s_medical_werkt_dat_echt
Have a look to the following advertisements and have a thought about their message. Just as we did for the XLS Medical advertisement.
Do you think these advertisements show the realistic function and the realistic health effects on the human body?
Need help?
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During your first year studying in the Netherlands you might find it hard to find your way. Cultural differences and study stress can have a huge impact on your mental health (Sabiston, 2019). This can be really hard to deal with. A lot of students, including native students, struggle with pressure that comes from studying. Luckily the Dutch school system has a way to help students with problems regarding stress, social anxiety and cultural differences. Universities and applied universities have their own psychologists and counsellors for students who struggle with all kind of problems( The Hague University of applied science, 2016). Some of you might struggle to reach for help, but the provided counselling is very approachable. Even if you do not really struggle but you just need to get something off your chest, you can approach them. Another major positive part of the psychological counselling for students is that it is a free service.
If you need to talk to a professional but do not know how to reach them, do not hesitate and contact your student counselor or student helpdesk.
Jobpersonality B.V. (2019). Psycholoog | Test jezelf | Opleidingen | Vacatures & Meer. Retrieved 8 November 2019, from https://www.jobpersonality.com/psycholoog
Interview time!
Meet Misha, a 21 year old girl from Wales. She is a former student at the The Hague University of Applied Sciences. She is doing “European studies” and she has just finished her first year and started her second.
Why did you choose to go study and live in the Netherlands?
I always wanted to live somewhere else than in the UK and since a part of my family was living in the south of the Netherlands, in Den Bosch, I got really curious about this country. Also European studies is an international study, so when I have finished and have my degree I can work everywhere around the world if I want to, so that is pretty much the reason I moved here.
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Did you adapt to the lifestyle in the Netherlands clothes and food wise?
There is of course a difference between lifestyle, food and clothes. I love the sweets here like the stroopwafels, haha can’t get enough of them. But I don’t think I did adapt that much in my lifestyle. Clothes wise not, I think the vibe here in the Netherlands is you just wear what you want to wear. Food wise I think I actually got a healthier lifestyle…I do eat much more vegetables and less pasta and fries then I did before I lived here.
Talking about looks and clothes; What is the difference between the beauty ideal in the Netherlands versus Ireland?
I don't think there is much of a difference to be honest. Irish people have very fair skin but they use self tanning products to look more bronzed. The beauty ideal in a woman in the UK is definitely red hair and fair skin. In the Netherlands this seems to be blonde hair and fair skin. The ideal body type is quite similar in my opinion. Although I think most young adults in The Netherlands look more healthy and skinny than compared to what I am used to in the UK.
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What would you say to first year students when it comes to their appearence and insecurities?
Don't be afraid to wear what you like and do what you want. The first year might be a bit scary and you have to get out of your comfortzone sometimes. Make friends who will accept you for being your true self!
References
Botta, R. A. (2003). For Your Health? The Relationship Between Magazine Reading and Adolescents' Body Image and Eating Disturbances. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1023570326812.
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Carlson, Neil R.; Heth, C. Donald (2009), "Sensation", in Carlson, Neil R.; Heth, C. Donald (eds.), Psychology: the science of behaviour (4th ed.), Toronto, Canada: Pearson, pp. 140–41,
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Colley, A., Berman, E., & Van Millingen, L. (2005). Age and gender differences in youth people’s perceptions of sport participants. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 35(7), 1440-1454.
Ethan, D., Basch, C. H., Hillyer, G. C., Berdnik, A., & Huynh, M. (2016, June 11). An analysis of weight loss articles and advertisements in mainstream women's health and fitness magazines. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4932226/.
Feingold, A., & Mazzella, R. (1998). Gender differences in body image are increasing. Psychological Science, 9, 190-195.
Harvey, J. A., & Robinson, J. D. (2003). Eating disorders in men: Current considerations. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 10, 297–306.
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Maida, D. M., & Armstrong, S. L. (2005). The classification of muscle dysmorphia. International Journal of Men’s Health, 4, 73–91.
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Thompson, J. K., Heinberg, L. J., Altabe, M., & Tantleff-Dunn, S. (1999). Exacting beauty: Theory, assessment, and treatment of body image disturbances. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
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Richardson, C. (2014). Advertising and Critical Thinking. Retrieved from https://edex.adobe.com/resource/7cc5da2f/.
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5. Sabiston, C. (2019, October 31). Assessing Physical Activity, Mental Health, and Stress among International Students at the University of Toronto. | TSpace Repository. Retrieved 8 November 2019, from https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/97070
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Schneider, V., Cockcroft, K., & Hook, D. (2008). The fallible phallus: A discourse analysis of male sexuality in a South African men’s interest magazine. South African Journal of Psychology, 38, 136–151.
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The Hague Univerity of applied science. (2016). Support during your study - The Hague University. Retrieved 8 November 2019, from https://www.thehagueuniversity.com/practical-matters/support-during-your-study