Where Do We Begin?

When we talk of development and prosperity, we are always referring to economic and material prosperity. However no material prosperity can give one health and happiness. In terms of prosperity, the world is divided into the developed economies namely the Americas and Europe, the developing economies and the under developed economies. Today the advancement of science and technology has brought about the best of material comforts and health care for the people in the west. The question that we need to ask therefore is whether the people are happy in these societies and whether their life is meaningful and really healthy.

By health, we do not mean just the physical health. The overall wellbeing of an individual consists of the mental and emotional health along with the physical health. We can very well say that the health of a woman in the society reflects the health of the community or the society in general. A woman is the bedrock and anchor of the family and of the society as well. Therefore in any society that respects women, protects the girl child and provides the right environment for the healthy development of women can be called a progressive society. Material advancement and wealth is definitely necessary for a comfortable living. However more important are the social, ethical and moral conscience of the society that makes it really a rich society.

Studies of western societies are showing a disturbing trend in the recent years. The East Asian and other developing nations have been riddled with gender bias, socio economic disparity and cultural attitudes that hinder the health of women in general. But the trends in the western world are showing not only the state of women, the state of the society as well. With the increase of materialism, the community living is fast becoming a thing of the past and giving rise to metro nuclear families. Religion seems to have taken a back seat and people are increasingly moving away from having to have faith and belief in religion. Fast paced urban lifestyle and the pressure to manage work and life balance is resulting in broken marriages and concept of living together. These trends in turn are leading to rise in individualism, loneliness, depression and other mental problems amongst people and more importantly amongst women.

Single parenting is a very difficult task. Today women find themselves having to be the bread earners as well as looking after their children single handedly. Not many are ready to sacrifice their personal life and put the interest and wellbeing of their children ahead of themselves. But when they are forced to do so practically, the element of depression, resentment, hurt and neglect seeps in.

If the teenage girls in the west are found to take easily to drugs, drinking and free sex, the problem lies in the society and the breakdown of communities and families. The health of the teenage and women is at risk due to the disturbing new trends of modern day living. The incidences of teen pregnancy, unsafe sex and abortions have gone up considerably in these societies.

Where do we start doing the damage repair and control? Do we target the health of the women or do we work towards reforming the society?