My audience would be focused on those who have personally struggled with, know some who has dealt with, or are simply curious about eating disorders. I want to make others aware of how our culture specifically influences our society to have the "perfect body".
This is undoubtedly an important topic to address as soon as possible, as eating disorders are a growing problem in our society. I do want people to be aware of the dangers, the influences, and many more topics involving eating disorders.
I have personally struggled with an eating disorder and do not want to see anyone go through the trials that it causes. If I can help even one person overcome or avoid acquiring an eating disorder, or even simply make others aware for that matter, then I will see myself as having adequately completed my project.
Looking at this from an objective perspective is extremely important, though difficult. If I cannot give an adequate, unbiased essay with reliable, accurate sources, then I will simply be manipulating others to see this in the same perspective as myself, which is not what I intend. I want my audience to know facts, not a college student's completely biased view of our culture's influence in eating disorders. Therefor, I understand why high school teachers would want this to be seen objectively. If I cannot look at the facts, then I have no business doing the assignment on this topic.
College is the time where we are free to make our own decisions - where we are finally taking responsibility for our actions. I have to learn to defend my arguments with facts. I have to work for what is important to me, not just work on a project for a decent grade. If I have a reason that I am invested in the assignment, then I will most likely be more willing to put more effort into my work.
I am able to see multiple viewpoints emerge. The books which I have used as references each list different reasons as to what causes eating disorders. Some blame it on traumatic experiences, some blame it on the pressure society puts on women. I believe that each plays a large role in acquiring eating disorders - everyone has a different reason for obtaining one.
I've learned that in the past, eating disorders were not viewed as too important. One was only viewed as "ill" if they had shown symptoms to having other diseases, not just vomiting or lack of eating. I've learned that with great research comes great responsibility. Or that there's a lot of information out there and you just have to learn to sort out what you truly need from what is completely unnecessary.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Blog Post 2
The most interesting source I've found thus far is a book called Understanding Eating Disorders by LeeAnn Alexander-Mott and D. Barry Lumsden.
I've found this particular source interesting because it includes various examples as to why eating disorders are caused, the history of them, and the psychology behind them. It explains how families, sexual abuse, etc. lead to one acquiring an eating disorder. It also explains anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in detail, which is helpful since these are the two main eating disorders which I will be focusing on. It explains how those with eating disorders view themselves and why exactly eating disorders are illnesses, not just a call for attention, etc.
My topic has only changed in a manner that has made it more specific. Instead of focusing on eating disorders as a whole, I am focusing on anorexia and bulimia nervosa. This allows me to focus more on how our culture has impacted these eating disorders, while leaving out countless unnecessary details.
My challenges are finding a way to compact books upon books of research into one assignment. As time progresses, I do expect to change my research question even more in order to contain only the information that is truly needed.
The only research tips I have would be to not go overboard. Personally, I have a habit of trying to take on more than I can handle which tends to backfire in the end. Try to make the question one that is specific and not too difficult to address. As long as you are able to contain the information needed to fit the requirements, everything else can be taken care of as you progress through the assignment.
I've found this particular source interesting because it includes various examples as to why eating disorders are caused, the history of them, and the psychology behind them. It explains how families, sexual abuse, etc. lead to one acquiring an eating disorder. It also explains anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in detail, which is helpful since these are the two main eating disorders which I will be focusing on. It explains how those with eating disorders view themselves and why exactly eating disorders are illnesses, not just a call for attention, etc.
My topic has only changed in a manner that has made it more specific. Instead of focusing on eating disorders as a whole, I am focusing on anorexia and bulimia nervosa. This allows me to focus more on how our culture has impacted these eating disorders, while leaving out countless unnecessary details.
My challenges are finding a way to compact books upon books of research into one assignment. As time progresses, I do expect to change my research question even more in order to contain only the information that is truly needed.
The only research tips I have would be to not go overboard. Personally, I have a habit of trying to take on more than I can handle which tends to backfire in the end. Try to make the question one that is specific and not too difficult to address. As long as you are able to contain the information needed to fit the requirements, everything else can be taken care of as you progress through the assignment.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Blog Post 1
My research question is: "How has our (American/Western) culture been causing eating disorders in comparison to other cultures?"
This topic has always been fairly interesting to me. I have had various friends and acquaintances that have struggled in dealing with eating disorders. After witnessing this various times, I had wondered whether or not our media (or our overall culture) has helped in the acquiring of eating disorders by various members of the population. I have seen the various changes in our culture in comparison to others, but this had been a subject which I had never been sure of how it varied through different countries.
I think this is an important topic for others to be aware of. In today's society, eating disorders seem to be in abundance. It's something which no one should have to go through, and by explaining how our society is affected by them I hope to either prevent it from occurring in those who would be the audience for this project, or enlighten others in hopes of them possibly being able to help anyone they know who may be going through it.
I'm not too sure about what I may find in regards to this topic. I expect to see that our culture has a decent amount of outside influences that could possibly lead to eating disorders in comparison to other countries. The reasoning behind this being that we have more access to various forms of media and what our society has deemed as "attractive".
There are always different viewpoints in this matter, just as with any other. There are those that say that those who acquire eating disorders are solely unstable and are to blame for their own problems, as opposed to viewing it as a legitimate disease.
This questions could lead to a variety of different responses, some which I may have expected, others which may come as a surprise. Either way, a decent argument is likely to be held for either viewpoint.
This topic has always been fairly interesting to me. I have had various friends and acquaintances that have struggled in dealing with eating disorders. After witnessing this various times, I had wondered whether or not our media (or our overall culture) has helped in the acquiring of eating disorders by various members of the population. I have seen the various changes in our culture in comparison to others, but this had been a subject which I had never been sure of how it varied through different countries.
I think this is an important topic for others to be aware of. In today's society, eating disorders seem to be in abundance. It's something which no one should have to go through, and by explaining how our society is affected by them I hope to either prevent it from occurring in those who would be the audience for this project, or enlighten others in hopes of them possibly being able to help anyone they know who may be going through it.
I'm not too sure about what I may find in regards to this topic. I expect to see that our culture has a decent amount of outside influences that could possibly lead to eating disorders in comparison to other countries. The reasoning behind this being that we have more access to various forms of media and what our society has deemed as "attractive".
There are always different viewpoints in this matter, just as with any other. There are those that say that those who acquire eating disorders are solely unstable and are to blame for their own problems, as opposed to viewing it as a legitimate disease.
This questions could lead to a variety of different responses, some which I may have expected, others which may come as a surprise. Either way, a decent argument is likely to be held for either viewpoint.
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