Social Media and Young Women

Social Media and Young Women

by Karolina Mangasarian

What is civic engagement?

1. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), "civic engagement is the broader motif, encompassing service-learning but not limited to it." https://www.apa.org/education-career/undergrad/civic-engagement

2. According to The New York Times, civic engagement means "working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivation to make that difference." https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html

My own definition: 

Personally, I think civic engagement is the collective effort of a person/community to better and develop that specific community using the independent skills of each citizen for the cumulative good. 

Studies

WHO IS AT RISK?

Social Media has a long history of causing destructive behavior in the users it accumulates. The various issues created by online platforms range in severity and impact based on the user and the targetted posts they receive. The ones most at risk are teenage girls and younger women (Hartas). This demographic of younger women is the most at risk due to the nature of posts on social media. The targeted posts display bodies that have been edited or faces that had numerous filters put over them. All this causes a younger mind, especially of a yp0ung female who is already struggling with self-esteem, to be self-destructive. Based on a Millenium Cohort Study (Wave 6) on this issue, "across measures of mental health and wellbeing, the findings showed that girls fared much worse than boys, particularly in experiencing negative feelings and low self-concept and life satisfaction and in self-harming. Teenage girls appeared to have become the new ‘high risk' group" (Hartas). 

HOW DOES IT AFFECT TEENS?

This new media allows for a new set of peer influence to develop and define how these young women perceive beauty (Chua). In a study done by the National University of Singapore, the young girls' self-validation stemmed from the likes, comments, and follows they would receive after. As stated in the study, "results of thematic analysis reveal a gap between teenage girls' self-beliefs and perceived peer standards of beauty. Feelings of low self-esteem and insecurity underpinned their efforts in edited self-presentation and quest for peer recognition' (Chua). This means that social media has a major impact on already vulnerable and impressionable women with the posts that they trend and target toward them. A rocky and weakened mental health leads these young girls on a path to achieve the unachievable, edited pictures they strive to replicate; causing terrible diets, starvation, self-harm, and depressive states. A survey done by the Royal Society of Public Health discovered that Instagram is by far the most net negative platform for teenagers to be on, further proving the issues and the impact social media has on the lives of these individuals through filtered and edited photos. 

Infographic based on a study done by the Royal Society of Public Health 

Personal Issues

Personally, in my younger years and even now as a young adult, I can't help but feel the drastic impact social media had on my life. During my high school career, I was the most vulnerable. Being one of the girls that never dated, got asked out, and was told I was the "ugly" friend, I had very fragile self-esteem. This caused a lot of issues once I had an Instagram. Everything suddenly heightened, I realized just how unattractive I really am, which was a reaction I felt after seeing tall skinny women with five-inch waistlines. I didn't look like that and all it made me do was try to be what I wasn't. That is when my eating disorder developed. I spent months undereating and overworking my body at the gym. Working out for three hours and eating under a thousand calories a day was a catastrophic reality of the aftermath these pictures on social media had on me. Every single time I lost five pounds and posted a selfie the comments would increase in the validation I received. People praised me, more of my peers started liking my posts. My story echoes similarities of the studies done on teenagers and the impact social media had on them. To me, at the time every like and positive comment meant to keep torturing and under fueling my body. I eventually ended up binge eating months later which is still a habit I exhibit today, and the way people responded to my weight gain on social media with less attention made me even more miserable than before. The biggest issue for me is the fact that I know I'm not the only one. Female family members and peers have talked to me about their own set of self-esteem issues and have endlessly compared themselves to either other people or a picture of themselves with a filter on.

Sources:

Armstrong, Martin, and Felix Richter. “Infographic: Mental Health: The Impact of Social Media on Young People.” Statista Infographics, 6 Sept. 2019, https://www.statista.com/chart/19262/impact-of-social-media-on-mental-health/.

Chua, Trudy Hui Hui, and Leanne Chang. “Follow Me and like My Beautiful Selfies: Singapore Teenage Girls' Engagement in Self-Presentation and Peer Comparison on Social Media.” ScienceDirect, Pergamon, 24 Sept. 2015, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563215301424.

Hartas, Dimitra. “The Social Context of Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing: Parents, Friends and Social Media.” Taylor & Francis, 18 Dec. 2019, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02671522.2019.1697734?scroll=top&needAccess=true.

Air Pollution In Inglewood

 

Air Pollution In Inglewood

 

    Over the last few decades, the environmental quality in California has improved. Yet, there are still communities that are severely affected by pollution (August et al., 2021). Some of these communities are minority and low-income populations which makes them more susceptible to the impacts of pollution. One of these communities is the city of Inglewood. In 2018, the population of Inglewood was comprised of 51.4% Hispanic and Latino residents and 40.9% Black residents. Also in 2018, the median household income in Inglewood was considerably less than the median household income of Los Angeles County by $14,626 (“Environmental Justice Element,” 2020). 

              Inglewood Race/Ethnicity, 2018

              Source: SAG. Profile of the City of Inglewood. 2019

    With the use of CalEnviroScreen, a computer mapping tool that identifies communities that are greatly affected by pollution, Inglewood was placed in the top 25% of the census tracts of California to have the highest exposure to pollutants and other harmful environmental conditions due to pollution. To determine whether a community is affected by pollution, CalEnviroScreen has identified several indicators that fall into two categories: pollution characteristics and pollution burden. Pollution characteristics are qualities of a community that make them more vulnerable to environmental pollutants. Pollution burden are factors that evaluate the different types of pollutions residents may be exposed to. By assigning separate scores to the two categorical indicators and multiplying the scores, then converting the overall score to a percentile, the census tracts in Inglewood had a range in percentile from 49% to 98%. In the figure below, one can see the range of percentile in the city Inglewood (“Environmental Justice Element,” 2020).

        CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Map, Inglewood, 2018 

As stated by August et al. (2021), some of the pollution burden indicators are:

• Ozone concentrations in air
• PM2.5 concentrations in air
• Diesel particulate matter emissions
• Drinking water contaminants
• Use of certain high-hazard, high-volatility pesticides
• Toxic releases from facilities
• Traffic impacts

    Of these indicators, ozone concentration and particulate matter cause the most extensive and significant health threats (August et al., 2021). In 2018, the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Inglewood, did not meet the national air quality standards as the basin’s air consisted of ozone, particulate matter, and lead concentrations (“Environmental Justice Element,” 2020). According to the City of Inglewood (2020), the primary contribution of air pollution in the South Coast Basin is emissions from cars and trucks that pass along local freeways and roadways. This is accurate in Inglewood as there are more than 250,000 vehicles that travel daily through the I- 405 and I-105, both of which extend through Inglewood. In addition, there are also busy roadways in Inglewood like Manchester Boulevard, La Cienega Boulevard, and Century Boulevard that contribute to air pollution in the city. Apart from vehicular air pollution, airplanes that land or depart from the Los Angeles International Airport also contribute to the harmful air pollution in Inglewood (“Environmental Justice Element,” 2020).

    As stated previously, ozone and particulate matter concentrations are major sources of air pollution in Inglewood. Another major source that impacts air pollution in Inglewood is traffic. As a result, I will talk about the effects of ozone, particulate matter, and traffic pollution. According to August et al. (2021), studies have shown that exposure to ozone concentrations have been linked to a decline in lung function, worsening asthma, increase in hospital admissions, and even a rise in daily deaths (August et al., 2021). Particulate matter has also caused deaths across California. As stated by August et al. (2021), particulate matter is a mixture of solid and liquid particles found in the air that arise from cars, trucks, wood burning, and other activities that involve combustion. These particles can enter the lungs and even enter the blood stream. Children, the elderly, and people suffering from respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic illnesses are more likely to be affected from exposure to particulate matter. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has even identified particulate matter as a carcinogen to humans and has been linked to lung cancer. Traffic is another source that has a harmful impact on health. Vehicle emissions contain large amounts of toxic chemicals like nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and benzene, another known carcinogen. Health problems that are connected to traffic pollution include lung disease, cancer, and even death (August et al., 2021).

    Exposure to air pollutants can result in health conditions such as asthma, low birth weight, and heart disease. Sometimes these health conditions can make a person even more vulnerable to the health impacts of pollution (August et al., 2021). According to the City of Inglewood (2020), people with asthma may be more susceptible to other respiratory diseases, like the flu and pneumonia. The City of Inglewood (2020) also stated that low birth weight has been connected to communities with high pollution levels and unattainable health care. In addition, infants with low birth weight may also be prone to develop other health effects later in life. Lastly, people with heart disease may also experience worsened cardiovascular conditions. In the figure below, one can see that the rates of asthma, low birth weight, and heart disease of populations in Inglewood are alarmingly close to, if not, higher than the asthma, low birth weight, and heart disease rates of populations in Los Angeles County, a county that includes 88 cities (“Environmental Justice Element,” 2020).

    The reason why I chose to discuss air pollution is because it directly affects me and the people I care about. Living in an area with high concentrations of pollutants, I am scared for my health and the health of my family, and community. Since my grandma was diagnosed with lung cancer, I was always concerned that factors such as pollutants in the air, and now COVID-19, would further impact her health. Though I can protect myself from catching COVID-19 and spreading it to my loved ones and others, it is difficult to protect myself or my family from the exposures to harmful air pollutants. Nonetheless, we can take steps towards reducing air pollution for the sake of our health, the health of our families, and the health of future generations.

Ways to reduce pollution:

Resources:

August, L., Bangia, K., Plummer, L., Prasad, S., Ranjbar, K., Slocombe, A., & Wieland, W. (2021, October). CalEnviroScreen 4.0. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.

City of Inglewood. (2020, April). Environmental Justice Element. Inglewood.

Southern California Association of Governments. (2019, May). Profile of the City of Inglewood.

ART 3170 Civic Engagement: Social Issues "Action" Project

 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROJECT- ART 3170

SOCIAL ISSUE PROJECT: 

 

HOMELESSNESS IN AMERICA

MIRNA RODRIGUEZ MOYA

PROFESSOR AZIZ

 

“In The Image” by Ed Massey

on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and 26th Street in Santa Monica.

Photo: Sam Catanzaro.

 

INTRODUCTION

            Homelessness is nothing new to any Angelino that drives through our cities. Encountering a homeless individual is inevitable when traveling throughout the greater Los Angeles area from Venus Beach to Skid Row and San Fernando to Anaheim. The question we should ask ourselves is when did it become so “In our face?” What are the factors that are considered to categorize someone as homeless? What caused the population to become homeless? What are the solutions we have to elevate homelessness? What does the public feel about the homelessness? How is it affecting you as an individual?

            I have lived in California my entire life and I pride myself knowing that I live in the most sought out city because of the weather and the idea of becoming something great. Living in Los Angeles you are twenty minutes from whatever your heart desires beaches, entertainment or adventures however, there is something that will stand out and that is our homelessness population. When doing drop off for school I drive down Alvarado Street passing MacArthur Park I encounter the homeless encampments, throughout Alvarado Street, underneath the overpasses of the 101 Freeway I can see homeless population tents, and the homeless population through out Echo Park. Not one part of my daily commute is clear of the homeless population. This is a crisis we have had in the past but within the last few years the homeless population has increased due to many factors such as pandemic loss of homes, housing shortage due to rising real estate and rental prices and the decriminalization of drug offenses.

 

RESEARCH-FACTS:

“Someone is counted homeless if he or she “lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).” (Johnson, 2019)

There are currently at least 63,706 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, according to a count by LAHSA in 2020 — a 13% increase from 2019. (The 2021 count was cancelled due to COVID-19, but is scheduled to resume in 2022.) (LAist, 2021).

 

“Nearly half of all Americans sleeping on the streets live in California. “Almost half (47 percent) of all unsheltered homeless people in the United States are found in California, about four times as high as their share of the overall United States population. Among the five cities with the highest rates of unsheltered homelessness, four are in California (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Rosa, and San Jose), and the other is Seattle” (Johnson, 2019).

The information that is available at a glance on the internet in regards to our homelessness crisis is overwhelming to say the least, but it is real and raw. We see the issue; how will the homelessness crisis be resolved? Are there plans to elevate the homeless population? Will there be obstacles to get to a good solution.

 

CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS

            We are quick to judge and assume that all homeless population are drug users or they are financially unstable. Although those two reasons for the homeless population there are many factors to why people have ended in a homeless situations according to LAist "they include, in part, poverty, lack of affordable housing, employment discrimination, substance abuse or mental health challenges, LGBTQ kids who are rejected by family, domestic violence, lack of familial ties, and kids who age out of foster care” (LAist, 2021).

            This was surprising to me although I knew parts of these reasons but the most surprising reason for homelessness was the youth aging out of the foster system. In the line of work I do I have clients that are part of Department and Family Services I never realized that they are part of the homeless population in Los Angles.

 

 CURRENT PLANS FOR HOMELESSNESS SOLUTION:

        Tiny homes are a great start to solving the homeless crisis in Los Angeles and across this country (https://youtu.be/E5bc3j6xpbs). “Villages like Chandler aim to chip away at that number by placing formerly homeless people in protected, fenced-off communities, "That way, people in the neighborhood see less homeless, less trash, less crime, fewer drug users roaming around," he added. "I think these villages should spread across the country like Starbucks -- be in every community." (CNN, 2021).

Tiny homes are a great start to the homeless solution but within Los Angeles we have empty buildings such as the old jail that could be easily converted into homeless housing. There is so much opportunity within our city that not only can elevate the homeless crisis but also give a sense of dignity to those experiencing this unfortunate situation.

HOMELESSNESS ISSUE- RELEVANCE:

            I have always prided myself because I have been able to live my grandparents American dream, although I have always been aware of the homeless crisis within this great city it never affected me more then it has now that I have children. My little ones ask questions about what they see and having to explain and have them understand how extremely blessed they are is difficult at times. As a family we do what we can through out the year to help those in need whether it be purchasing a meal, monetary donation or just even saying hello at times allows us all to appreciate our everyday blessings. We have experienced the happiest of times when we see the smiles for a hot cup of coffee or a hot meal. The appreciation for us just acknowledging that although they may be homeless, they are still people and they deserve dignity and respect. It wasn’t too long ago that we had a van parked outside our home where a couple was living out of and my children asked why they didn’t have a home and where they use the restroom. Questions so difficult to make little ones understand but my husband and I gave them age-appropriate answers and turned a difficult situation into a blessed one. As a family we put together a small care package and left it near their van and although they may not know who gave it to them, we pray they realize there are people out there willing to help and understand their situation.

If you feel you can make a difference in any civic issue take a small step into making that change, however small you can make a different.The opening picture is an art piece that started this journey for me and it opened my eyes to the change we can make if we only try.

 

REFERENCES:

 

10 facts about homelessness in America – Acton Institute PowerBlog

Homeless Statue in Santa Monica Intended to Confront Public - SM Mirror

Understanding LA's Homelessness Issues | LAist

L.A. County homeless count: Here's what you need to know - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

The 2020-21 Budget: The Governor’s Homelessness Plan (ca.gov)

Homelessness in South Los Angeles - Marqueece Harris-Dawson (2) (spa6homeless.org)

These tiny homes in Los Angeles offer the city's homeless a new lease on life - CNN

 

 

 

The Immorality of Deportation

 The Immorality of Deportation

What is Deportation?

    Deportation is the act of removing foreigners from a country. Deportation has been an ongoing issue in the U.S. for many years. To this day, thousands of immigrants are stopped from making a better life for themselves due to deportation. Aside from separating families and causing trauma to the victims and their loved ones, the whole process of deportation is a gruesome one for the victims. In the process of deportation, there are many basic human rights that are violated. 

The Process

    As stated before, the process of deportation is a long a gruesome one. Many immigrants who are put through the deportation process, often get stripped of their basic human rights. According to Michael Garcia Bochenek, senior counsel on children’s rights at Human Rights Watch, when immigrants are detained, they are put in cells referred to as “freezers’. The immigrants are forced to sleep on the floor with nothing to to keep them warm from the cold temperature of these cells besides an aluminum blanket. These conditions clearly show how human rights are being violated for each and everyone of these people.

    Another example of the stripping of basic human rights from immigrants during deportation is when handling the immigrants' personal hygiene. According to Amanda Holpuch for theguardian.com, many kids at the Texas Deportation facility were put through inhumane conditions at the center. Attorneys met with some children to ask them about the conditions they were in and reported that some of them had bodily fluids on their clothes such as mucus or breastmilk, some were wearing the same clothes which they had been caught with for weeks and they had no access to basic sanitation. The children were also exposed to extreme cold and didn't have enough access to food or water.

    These are just some of the examples of the struggles immigrants have to go through when being detained and prepared for deportation.

Personal Take

    Personally I have a lot of connection with this issue. My parents, who have been in this country for 22 years, are illegal immigrants. Despite being here for so long, they still run the risk of getting sent back to their home land. To think of not being with them due to their legal status is saddening. I've also had family go through the process of deportation. An uncle of mine got deported about 9 years ago and would tell us that the authorities will put you through harsh conditions in order to get you to sign a paper which confirms you want out of the country instead of fighting your case. It's really a shame that this is what the country has come to. The reason why I chose this issue is to raise awareness about the on going issue that is deportation. This issue affects the community around me because all my life I've grown up around immigrants and people who are at risk of deportation. The population in my neighborhood is majority Latino, and many of us face these legal issues. We keep hoping that one day things will get better.

References

Garcia, M. (2018, March 01). In the Freezer | Abusive Conditions for Women and 

            Children in US Immigration Holding Cells. Retrieved October 26, 2018, from 

            https://www.hrw.org/report/2018/02/28/freezer/abusive-conditions-women-and-

            children-us-immigration-holding-cells

Holpuch, Amanda. “Migrant Children Held in Texas Facility Need Access to Doctors, Says Attorney.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 8 July 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jul/08/migrant-children-detention-center-texas-attorney-health-crisis. 

ART 3170-02: Mental Health Stigma Surrounding Latinx Community

Stigma Surrounding Mental Health in the Latinx Community

"Just get over it."

This is a term heard too often amongst Latinx children, primarily the those seen as boys. From personal experience, this term has long damaged the psyche of many growing children as they no longer feel free to express their feelings or show emotion. This issue can be seen across all ages, but the younger generation has been on the forefront of this issue, trying to change the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

What is mental health stigma as it pertains to the Latinx community?

Before going into specific examples within the Latinx population, it is important to understand what stigma is as it pertains to mental health. As stated in an article in Medical News Today, 

"Mental health stigma refers to the negative attitudes or beliefs that lead to the devaluing, disgracing, and disfavoring by the general public of individuals with mental illnesses."

Despite this being a general definition of mental health stigma, there are three other types of stigma. Social stigma is a certain stigma that refers to the negative attitudes about mental health usually found in one's culture or broader society. The second type, self-stigma, often happens when someone internalizes negative societal attitudes surrounding mental health. Institutional stigma, being the third type, often refers to government or private institutions that unintentionally or intentionally discriminate against people with mental health issues.

Now as it pertains to the Latinx community, mental health is almost seen as a myth since older generations tend to push it under the rug rather than face any sign of mental illnesses. Mental illness can be seen as a sign of "weakness" in most families' eyes and even as an embarrassment to them. However this is just a fraction of the many reasons why mental health in the Latinx community takes a back seat when compared to other issues in the community.

Research

According to an article from the Cardinal Innovations Healthcare, approximately 33% of Latinxs with mental illnesses receive treatment when compared to 43%, which would be the U.S. average. Also referenced in the article, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) stated that the most common mental health conditions amongst the Latinx population are generalized anxiety disorder, major depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), and substance use. Despite experiencing symptoms related to these conditions, only 20% talk to a doctor about it and 10% contact a mental health professional. 

Barriers

When it comes mental health, the Latinx community faces many barriers, self inflicted or not, that prevent them from finding help and taking advantage of said help.  

Economic 

According to NAMI, 15.7% of Hispanic/Latinx people in the U.S. live in poverty when compared to non-hispanic whites (7.3%). Economically challenge individuals who are considered to live in poverty run a higher risk of having a mental illness and in comparison, those with a mental illness tend to run the risk of living in poverty.

 Another reason as to how economic status plays into mental health can be seen in a video by Mitu, where they interviewed many Hispanic/Latinx youth talking about mental health. In the video (that will be linked) they spoke about how "parents bust their [expletive] to survive, to take care of you... you never want to make it seem like they failed you as a parent". This can be seen also in personal experiences where parents can't afford the time to think or talk about mental health, leading to them not having time to talk to their children as well. 

 According to NAMI's research with the Kaiser Family Foundation, it found that 19% of Hispanic/Latinx people did not have any form of health insurance and could not afford insurance.  

Stigma

Among the many things that is seen as taboo in Hispanic/Latinx culture, mental health is arguably one that is continued to be frowned upon in the community. According to Mental Health America, discussing mental health problems can be seen as an embarrassment or might bring "shame" to the family. 

In addition, the Mitu video showed how the lack of attention to mental health has trickled down to the younger generation. In the video, along with the article by Mental Health America, suggest that Latinx adolescents are more likely to use antidepressants when compared to white and black adolescents. But going into the stigma, the video shows exactly how the younger generation was raised with the idea that if there were to be any sort of signs of a mental illness, they would simply be told to get over it and move on.  

Personal Take

While conducting research on other's opinions on the issue of mental health in the Latinx community, it is imperative that I speak on how this issue pertains to me on a personal level. Growing up I had been told not to cry, not to be sad, and if I was seen crying or seemed 'down' my family (dad, uncles, etc.) would tell me to "man up" rather than address the reason I was sad or crying. Sharing my emotions and feelings was and still is hard to do with my family because all my life I had been raised with the idea that as the 'man of the family' it was my job to portray strength, composure, and security. This stuck with me and it wasn't until I began attending Cal State LA that I began to use the resources that the university offered in terms of mental health.  

Start the Dialogue 

Overall, it is important to start the conversation, one way or another. But it is also important to listen to each other when speaking about said things. As it is in most cases, the older generation weren't raised with the idea that expressing emotions and feelings is 'okay', so it is more likely that they are also dealing with past experiences as well. Be kind, be patient, and care for one another. 

Resources and Links

• NAMI’s Compartiendo Esperanza

• American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry

• Therapy for Latinx

• Mental Health America’s Resources for Latinx/Hispanic Communities

References

Cardinal Innovations Healthcare — July 16. (2020, May 1). Rethinking mental health in the Latino Community. Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.cardinalinnovations.org/Resources/Blog/Rethinking-Mental-Health-in-the-Latino-Community.

Hispanic/Latinx. NAMI. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Hispanic-Latinx. 

Latinx/Hispanic Communities and Mental Health. Mental Health America. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/latinxhispanic-communities-and-mental-health. 

MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Mental health stigma in Latin America: Culture, resources, and more. Medical News Today. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/mental-health-stigma-in-latin-america#in-latin-america. 

Mitumixadmin. (n.d.). Latinos talk: Mental health - mitú. we are Mitú. 100% American & Latino. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://wearemitu.com/video/latinos-talk-mental-health-mitu/. 

Mental Health Broken System

ART 3170-02 Civic Engagement Project

Jordan Carrera

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Civic Engagement Definitions

The First definition comes from American Psychological Association who state that its an individual or collective action that discusses an issue that is going on within the community. It can range from talking about a certain issue to working with the community to fix the issue. Civic Engagement can range from activities that can help solve the problem or spread awareness.

The Second definition comes from youth.gov that states civic engagement involves someone working to make a difference within their community.  It promotes the quality of life in community through both political and nonpolitical possess. It can also be both paid or not paid forms of volunteering and much more. 

Overall I feel that Civic Engagement has to deal with problems that the community is facing. These issues can range from a list of things such as homelessness, mental health, racism, and many more. It's also use to help spread awareness about the issue but also used to have an impact. Civic Engagement is important as its there to help fix the many problems that communities face and make it a more better place. 

Mental Health Within Latinx Teen Community

                     Social Issue- Mental Health Within Latinx Teen Community

Mental Health has been a major issue that we have seen within the Latinx teen community as many teenagers suffer from depression, anxiety, and much more. This issue is very important to me because I myself have gone through my own issues of depression. Through it I feel that many companies and programs have tried to promote awareness yet it still isn't enough. In many cases latinx households do not believe in mental health and tend to see it as just excuses of being sad. A lot of parents can't meet eye to eye with their kids as they tend to see their behavior as being "rude" or "mean". This issue stems as many older generations don't listen to us and look at us as we don't know what we are talking about. 

The Reason I decided to chose this topic was because I have seen many close to me who have gone through these types of issues and are still affected to this day. Unfortunately many do not seek help as they are already facing a lot of problems with their families not being able to understand what they are going through. This issue is something that we see growing especially with young teens.

According to STATNEWS who interviewed teens about mental health stated that many teens weren't prepared to navigate where and who to go about their health. Many found that they didn't know anything about prescriptions ,finding a therapist,or scheduling appointments. Many teenagers are not aware of the resources around them as many facilities fail to notify them about these resources. In the article many of the people that were interviewed stated that there is not much data available on mental health as many don't see this as a huge issue. Around the age of 18 is when teens tend to dropout or lose access to mental health as they are flooded with a lot of issues. The article also argues that if the United States had universal healthcare like other developed countries that we would see a drop in these rates. 

In an article by Salud America they found that latinx youth was the most disrupted in 2020. The Latinx youth were 60% more likely to report poor or reduced feelings of mental health compared to white students. 22% of the latinx youth have more depressive symptoms than other groups. Which the article goes into detail that the reason to this is because many are afraid or just don't use the resources that are provided to them. However, many of these youth not only face depressive symptoms but the study showed that many also suffered from discrimination,poverty,and school and family issues.

"I do have plenty of experiences with mental health problems. I personally have depression, anxiety and ptsd. Some days are harder than others , while other days are the easiest on the planet. Some days I’m the happiest person alive and other days I wish I wasn’t existing on this planet, but I always think of a brighter future and all the obstacles I’ve overcome and think to myself “ if I can overcome those , I can overcome anything” 

"At the very beginning of my mental health journey , I do say I wish I was helped a lot more , but that was only because my family didn’t quite understand what depression and anxiety were and what that meant for a growing teen. My family’s mentality was “if you have food in your belly, have a roof over your head and have money, you shouldn’t have any depression” and those were my expectations growing up in a broken Hispanic home. but as time went on and after many therapy appointments and conversations with my therapist and family together and research , they got to learning and understanding the ins and outs and importance of mental health. Today, they are the most supportive, understanding, loving and caring family I could ask for and I’m eternally grateful." -Jasmine

"Growing up I wasn't able to express much emotion as I was just seen as weak. This kept me from wanting to express my feelings and emotions to other people. If there should be a difference with mental health it should be that many resources should be free depending on one's circumstance as many who face these issues are young or can't afford to seek help."

Fast Fashion-Shndhi Khan

By Shndhi Khan

The Rise of Fast Fashion and Why it's a Problem

What is fast fashion? 

The United States is an example where consumerism is valued above all else. Fast fashion relies on labor practices that maximize the companies profit. This means cheaper quality clothes are being pushed out faster so that the next new thing can become the trend. This becomes a massive problem because of the underpaid labor and cheap textiles that are damaging to the environment. To make the most profit, which is true of most brands today, they use the cheapest fabrics and the cheapest possible labor. This is exacerbated by America's culture of "don't wear the same fit twice". Even the fabrics used to make these garments are unsustainable, usually made out of plastic.

Brands like Shein, Fashion Nova, H&M are a part of our everyday lives. They left an impression on American culture, where the next best thing is the only thing on our minds. Consumerism is a large part of our economy, and companies have such a firm grip on our people like they've never before.

https://www.forever21.com/us/2000445727.html?dwvar_2000445727_color=01

Do you ever just think about the waste you create when you buy from fast fashion brands? Everything is so cheap and affordable but what is the actual cost?

First-world countries often try to deal with their waste by passing it off to another country. But this means that we never see the consequence of our consumerism. No one ever cares about the labor that goes into textile production either, or what happens to the clothes that never sell.

Textiles boomed in profits in 2013 when companies such as Forever 21 were thriving. Retail stores such as Gap and Nordstrom were the norm, where people just do not buy as much because clothes cost more. The rise in fast fashion shows in our pop culture as well, as the 2010s were marked by tacky clothes with unnecessary details that ruin the clothing. Bright colors, graphic prints, frayed or excessive ruffles, all executed in poor quality. These garments are often made with synthetic fabrics that do not degrade, and because they are created so quickly, the stitching comes apart easily. These clothes are made to wear down, to make you buy more. 

Online Shopping

We've all done it, you start your assignment the day it is due. You have all your tabs open, and one of them always manages to be online shopping. Retail has changed over the decade, people are more likely to do their shopping online. But every time you open up an online shop for clothes you see "50-70% off your next purchase, the sale ends in 10 minutes!". They get us hooked into their gimmicks, and for some people, it's an addiction. This is understandable because fashion is something that makes people feel good, me included.

https://www.fashionnova.com/

Not to mention the damage fast fashion companies do to fashion designers, selling off the designs of small creators usually black or brown. Fast fashion companies even steal their advertisements off of these small creators.

 https://fashionista.com/2019/01/fashion-nova-knockoff-crochet-knots-and-vibes-dress

Luci Wilden, a black designer, created the design above. Her design was lifted by Fashion Nova. Nothing ever stops these brands from stealing these designs off of small creators. In this instance, Luci Wilden reached out to Fashion Nova to get her design off of their website. In response, Fashion Nova's team apologized and excused this by saying that a merchant bought one of her dresses and Fashion Nova decided to copy the design (Katz, Evan). There is no protection for these undervalued creators. Artwork is stolen in the name of profit, and the law is in favor of these large companies. How else do these companies bring out new designs every season?

Where is it going?

https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/11/8/chiles-desert-dumping-ground-for-fast-fashion-leftovers

These fast fashion companies rely on consumers to keep buying their products. They create these products in countries like Bangladesh or China where they can mass-produce with little to no regulation. Aside from the blaring human rights issues, this mass production is leading to an overproduction of synthetic fibers. These are being piled up in landfills of developing countries such as chile(Aljazeera). So whatever you saw in the stores last season is being thrown away to make room for a new style. The above image shows a woman picking out clothes from a landfill in Chile. Once again there is no mechanism for accountability for these countries. The supply chain is not equipped to handle any social issues it creates.

As shown by the graph above, as the human population grows, so does the production of synthetic fibers. The graph shows a large increase from 2000 to 2018. We are not using all of what we are making.

Textiles take up 20 percent of industrial water waste. A large proportion of textiles use fibers like polyester, made from petroleum. Fibers that do not easily biodegrade and will take 20-200 years to break down.

So what can we do?

There are alternatives to fast fashion. We are conditioned to like the next thing, like how people are more inclined to buy the new iPhone when it comes out. But when you buy a new dress to go to prom you will never wear it again. There are alternatives where companies rent clothes, some of these companies may have prices that are steep but it's better than having that dress stuck in your closet for years until you decide to throw it away. Also buying garments that will last you longer, for years rather than months will also help with this problem. Another option is to buy second-hand clothes from thrift stores, or new up-and-coming apps such as Depop.

Why should we care?

Why is it that, we as Americans feel so entitled to take advantage of other countries and bleed the Earth dry because of our greed? I may be American but I am also Bangali, so it's always at the back of my head. I know people that work at these factories because that is the only option that they have. It's something we take advantage of.  It affects our communities too because we end up buying from large companies instead of the black and brown people who created the designs in the first place. We never see the landfills piled high with clothes or the people who make your shirt. The damage created by the overproduction of textiles is something that we as humans are not capable of understanding. The problem exceeds our life span and unless we are responsible enough to recognize this issue we will only make the issue worse. Fast fashion takes advantage of people to satisfy us from every step of production and that is something that we are too comfortable with.

Citation

Al Jazeera. (2021, November 8). Photos: Chile's desert dumping ground for fast fashion leftovers. Gallery News | Al Jazeera. Retrieved November 11, 2021, from https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/11/8/chiles-desert-dumping-ground-for-fast-fashion-leftovers.

Peters, Greg, Mengyu Li, and Manfred Lenzen. “The Need to Decelerate Fast Fashion in a Hot                 Climate - A Global Sustainability Perspective on the Garment Industry.” Journal of                      cleaner production     295 (2021): 126390–. Web.