PEER ‘SEXTING’

There have been thousands of definitions and theorems about peer pressure amongst the youth. A new phenomenon that has developed with the youth in according to researchers at University of Melbourne is sexting.
Sexting, a term that refers to sending and receiving text messages or images with sexual content on a phone, is considered a problem that especially schools have an increasingly difficult time to deal with.

An Australian study, the first of its kind as far as we know, looked closer at origins of sexting and found that the trend is mainly driven by peer pressure.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne presented their results at the 2011 Australasian Sexual Health Conference in Canberra and noted that teenagers indirectly force each other to engage in sexting, which enables them to remain a member in a certain group of peers.
“The phenomenon has become a focus of much media reporting; however research regarding the issue is in its infancy, and the voice of young people is missing from this discussion and debate,” said Shelley Walker from the University of Melbourne.
At least according to the research group of 33 people between the ages of 15 and 20, “highly sexualized media” plays a big role in this trend, which creates pressure on teenagers simply because “highly sexualized” content. Both genders told scientists about the pressure girls experienced from boyfriends or strangers “to reciprocate on exchanging sexual images”. Young women said that there was a certain pressure to be involved in sexting simply because they have seen explicit images of people they know. Both males and females said they were shown pornographic images without having agreed to look at them.
The researchers did not offer a possible solution how to contain sexting, but noted that it would be important to maintain a “meaningful dialogue” to prevent unwanted consequences

The Elusive Visa

“Hey Mr. Zuma, you and your government don’t represent me. You represent your own interests, I am warning you, and one day we will start praying for the defeat of the ANC government. You are disgraceful. I want to warn you, you are behaving in a way that is totally at variance with the things for which we stood,”

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu says that he is not sure whether the Tibetan spiritual leader will be granted a visa. The Dalai Lama was forced to cancel his trip before his intended date of departure on Thursday to attend the 80th birthday of Tutu. Tutu reacted by lambasting President Jacob Zuma’s government on a nationally televised interview when he heard his long time friend and fellow Nobel Peace Laureate had canceled his trip on Monday. His outburst was supported by some South Africans who took to twitter to voice their grievances http://twitter.com
The Tibetan was invited to give an inaugural peace lecture at the University of Witwatersrand who have promise to protest this decision on Wednesday. Monyela emphasized that the Dalai Lama was not refused a visa, “We are still subjecting this application to the application process when he took the decision to cancel.” But this isn’t a first occurrence, South Africa refused to grant the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader a visa to attend a peace conference in 2009. About 300 people are expected to hold a night vigil at parliament on Monday to put pressure on the government to grant the visa. Buddhist teacher Karen de Vos said at a media briefing held by civil rights groups in Cape Town: “It’s the last chance we have.”
The chief executive of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre, Nomfundo Walaza, said the secrecy surrounding the Dalai Lama’s visa application was disrespectful to Tutu. The Cape Town director of the Institute for Security Studies, Hennie van Vuuren, said the Dalai Lama had recently been granted visas for the US, Argentina and Brazil and there was no reason why he should be denied one for South Africa. Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said the application was being processed like any other and he would be informed in due course on whether it had been granted.

It is still unknown whether or not his visa was to be granted. But with all the claims and the ‘he says she says’ we may never know.

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Slut Walk Johannesburg

04th October 2011
Marita Lidonde,
Monash South Africa,
Johannesburg.
SLUT WALK JOHANNESBURG
“It’s a Dress not a Yes!”
When we hear about rape, we cover our ears feigning ignorance or creating a barrier distancing ourselves from it. When we talk about rape, a finger is placed over ones lip followed by, “Shhh! What are you saying?”
Silence; we are silenced from talking about this either by those around us or by what is within us, Shame, embarrassment, disgrace. So if ‘we’ the lucky ones can’t even whisper about it, how will ‘SHE’ be heard.
I am an aspiring journalist who could right this as any other piece, any other story. But I want to right this as a Human, who cares about the people around her, as a woman who is terrified by the idea of rape but supports other women to move forward in pride and strength. As a sister who wouldn’t hesitate to give a helping hand and give my life for my blood, As a daughter who puts her mother on a pedestal with all things precious admiring the strength she has to bring me into this world and raise me on her own, As a potential mother, wrapping my arms around my children and body blocking them from all and any danger, And most importantly as a friend with two shoulders one to help carry your burden and the other for you to lean on, two hands to defend and carry you, two legs to walk and guide you to a safe place and two ears to listen.
Slut Walk Johannesburg is an event brought together by a team of passionate South Africans hosted by the Zoo Lake country club. Sand Schultz, the Organizer, brought together Johannesburg to gather in one voice condemning the unprovoked violence of rape against women. The main goals were to unite the families, friends and victims of rape in the naming and shaming of rapists, to stop the stigmatization of raped women, to set women free so that they can wear what they want without being attacked. Mari Sciarappa a volunteer part of the organizing team explained the meaning behind the name ‘Slut Walk,” to crush the belief that women provoke rape by what they wear. The participants were encouraged to dress in what was believed to be slutty.
Jaunita Minne, the president of Crimson set up a stand where people donated bags filled with clothes and other personal effects. The reason behind it is when raped women are admitted into hospitals all their pieces of clothing are taken for examination. By donating these bags, these victims have something to wear and

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plus it helps them feel less of a victim.
The walk began at 11 am from Zoo Lake. But before it took off authors, actors, filmmakers and other South Africans took to the podium and shared the stories. It was at this time that Sandy Schultz dressed in pajamas stood up and said that she was a victim of rape, “This is how I was dressed when I was attacked. I was in my bed asleep in my pajamas when he raped me. Does this say rape me,” it was then that she shed off the pajamas and remained with a corset and a colorful skirt and said, “What if I was dressed like this.” She led people as they walked around Jan Smuts chanting the slogan, “It’s a dress and not a Yes!” as they held up their signs. These signs had messages such us, don’t blame the victims others used their bodies as a canvas.
This walk was a perfect example of how South African’s can unite for each other. When the walk came to a close everyone cheered and embraced each other, saying to each other ‘Thank you for coming.’
Visit the website here for more information and pictures; http://slutwalkjhb.co.za/
“Your Voice Shall Be Heard for Eternity.”

Depression In University Students

Depression is a severe despondency and dejection, accompanied by feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy. A condition of mental disturbance, typically with lack of energy and difficulty in maintaining concentration or interest in life

Depression is a mental disease that ails majority of people. Depression is not caused by a virus like a cold or the mumps. There is no blood test that declares the presence of depression. There are many theories on the causation of depression but unfortunately none have been conclusively validated. In the absence of a clear cut understanding of why some people suffer from depression and others do not, the air becomes filled with platitudes that suggest it’s just a matter of “pulling yourself together”.

An interview was done in Monash University South Africa, the faculty and the students being the subject of the interview. Questions such as, what they thought depression was, if they had been affected by it directly or indirectly and according to their own personal opinion how they thought was the best way to handle it were posed to them.

Narlen van Zyl  (Health Department) states that depression is a valid illness that affects the home life, school life and work environment of the ailed person and those around them. Most common symptoms of depression are withdrawal, not wanting to interact with other people. Those around them are affected when they try and pull the ailed people out of their depression. Depression is a disease greatly influenced by family work and financial issues. Counseling and at time medication is necessary.

Monash University just like any other university in the country has a student development department where there are trained personnel ready to deal with such situations. Dashenden Reddy in the student development office says, “Depression is a fairly big thing in this campus (Monash South Africa) and it is due to  many students not managing their time and workload properly. Financial problems are also  a cause. When they (depressed students) come through to our department we assist them be it financial counseling, time management and whatever problems they are going through. There after they cope very well with ongoing counseling and eventually the counseling lessens and they manage themselves”

During the carrying out of my interviews I was able to come across a faculty member that has battled with depression and she sights the following as a way of battling the disease; avoid negative influences. That is things that will easily get you down, sadden you or frustrate you. Find a positive outlet that will help you relieve yourself of all the stress that you encounter; an example is going to the gym. Another unconfirmed scientific aid would be getting out in the sunlight, this stimulates you and plus a walk is also a positive outlet.

SPRING FASHION

spring racing fashionWhen winter comes everything is chilled. Life becomes a stand still as the fear of the cold keeps everyone inside wrapped in their warm blankets sipping their hot coco. But when September rings in the warmth of the hot sun announces the arrival of Spring.
Ear muffs, wool scarfs, heavy sweaters and winter boots are shoved in the back of the closet. Sun dresses, shorts and vests are dug out of the suitcases.Spring fashion.
So what exactly is spring fashion. Monash University fashions have very different views on what is Spring fashion but they agree on one thing, color and accessories. Spring has finally rolled in and so have the new trends in fashion. Minimum whites , cool colors and bold prints are featured with heavy accessories to finish the look.

Free floral dresses of one plain color dresses and sandals are ideal dressed with sun hats it helps relieve the unmerciful sun shinning down on you. A nice pair of shades can bring your look from plain Jane to hot and sassy.

‘Who likes short shorts, I like short shorts.”

Who doesn’t like nice shorts. Daisy dukes with an oversize shirt or a vest with a shirt over it gives you a chic Bohemian look for the spring dress it up by accessorizing with a nice bead necklace and a couple of bangles.

For guys a v-neck t-shirt and a pair of shorts will not fail you, dress it with a pair of sneakers or sandals. Accessorize your look with a pair of sunglasses and you are ready for the spring.

These spring looks can easily be rewound for  summer. So what you get now will serve you well ’till February next year, that is if your aren’t obsessed with ‘what’s new’

Enjoy your Spring!

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