- Published: November 17, 2021
- Updated: November 17, 2021
- University / College: University of Maryland, College Park
- Level: College Admission
- Language: English
- Downloads: 28
Women Studies Critical Analysis Introduction The paper is a critical analysis of the website , which discusses health issues with specific reference to women studies. The aim is to carefully examine the website and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses using (some of) the seven strategies for feminist analysis as a guideline. The discussion also seeks to establish the ideas the website tries to accomplish and the impacts of the content, whether it achieves the objectives or not. Strengths of the Website The website gives an outline on the ways in which the women could be knowledgeable on the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) (Feminist Women’s Health Center 1). Using such methods, the women might be informed of the practices that could result to pregnancy. Through such awareness, the women are also informed of the physical changes they should observe during ovulation and the behavioral aspects they should uphold to avoid pregnancy (FWHC 1). Therefore, the women could plan for pregnancy in a natural way after learning the fertile times. As well, it outlines the advantages of the natural birth control methods, therefore advocating for their use as opposed to the conventional ways whose impacts could expose the user to many health risks. Weakness of the Website Considering the information presented on the website, there are serious weaknesses, which the author(s) did not address. For example, they did not outline the ways in which the women could control pregnancy, especially for the ones who do not experience regular period. Indeed, irregular menstrual periods interfere with the fertility of the woman and the calendar charting, thus posting a challenge to young women who remain victims of circumstances. Notably, following the calendars strictly might not work to the advantage of the women, who might be fooled that their fertile period has not reached, yet they are. Therefore, sexual encounters at this time might lead to unprecedented results, for instance pregnancy (Lisa 4). Here, it up to the women to make personal informed choices despite their positions of powerlessness. Apparently, the level to which the women make informed choices makes them to be in control of their life. The other weakness of fertility awareness, according to the website is the revelation that it is difficult to determine the specific time for which ovulation takes place. It relies on the assumption, giving allowance of between two, to three days, prior to, or after the end of ovulation. This uncertainty has made many unsuspecting women to be pregnant at the time they did expect such pregnancies. The website also outlines another weakness of the method, indicating that the woman might not achieve the required level of concentration in counting and monitoring the safe and unsafe periods to exercise self-control. Therefore, such miscalculations could jeopardize the woman’s fertility awareness (Lisa 6). Here, fertility is a health concern that the women have to understand well. In addition, the author outlined that acquainting one’s self with the effective use of the perceived natural methods might take a longer period and effort depending on the level of understanding and ability of the person in question respectively. This may be a challenge to the women who might not be persistent in the quest for such knowledge. The Issue it tries to Accomplish Critically examining the website, the main issue it tries to accomplish is the need for adopting the natural ways of controlling pregnancy. Through the author insists that the natural ways of preventing and planning for pregnancy are not harmful to the women, effective, and acceptable, among other advantages, it has partly achieved the issue it intended to accomplish. Notably, fertility awareness would help the women to understand their body changes, as well as the menstrual cycle. This makes them able to control their behavior and rate of giving birth. The achievement is considered as ‘ partly’ because; there are serious weaknesses of the presumes natural method of birth control, which the author did not address, and are likely shape the impacts of the natural means of controlling and planning for pregnancy. In addition, since the author does not make it clear on the specific days, in which ovulation takes place, the assumptions becomes vague, thus hindering the precise understanding of the menstrual cycle and days the woman is fertile. Therefore, it fails to meet the original intention of sensitizing the women on the issues relating to controlling and planning for pregnancy. Conclusion In summary, though the website has some useful information about fertility awareness the author(s) have not satisfactorily achieved the intended purpose. The author has to give more explanation on the various ways of addressing the anxieties, which the women undergo during the quest for the truth. Therefore, matters such as irregular menstrual cycles and untimely ovulation should be addressed to make the website to fulfill its mission. Works Cited Feminist Women’s Health Center. Fertility awareness. 2011. Web. 25 Jan, 2012. Lisa. K. Low. Women’s health from a feminist perspective.” 2005. Web. 18 Jan. 2012. .