This week we’ve been talking about wellness. Not in the traditional sense of eating your greens and having a healthy sleep schedule; but actually about the wellness industry, its roots in capitalism and the wellness-to-conspiracy-theory pipeline. "Wellness" in a lot of ways is just diet culture in a more wholesome packaging. Fundamentally, it elevates the skinny, white, wealthy woman as the goal. The kind that does expensive pilates classes, has a fridge full of organic veg, and a beautifully minimalist home. A lifestyle completely unattainable for most people.

It’s a fascinating topic to unpack, and one I am passionate about as the world we live in becomes more susceptible to false information and skewed truths. My one wellness tip for you today? To remember that you don’t need all the latest gadgets and expensive gear to create a wellness routine that works for you.

- Stef, Marketing & Community Lead

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

🎣 Boy Scouts announce new gender-neutral name

🤦♂️Diversity initiatives too often ignore the impact of social class

🗯️Monzo want to pronounce your name correctly

🧑💼 2/3 business leaders wouldn’t hire someone without AI skills

🙎♀️Ireland has 0 female listed CEOs

LET'S GET INTO IT 🤓

More people regret having children than having gender-affirming care 📝 study finds

Despite what the media are pushing... Transition-related regret is actually at very low levels. It is notably lower than regret recorded after having children, though this is a life choice which comes under far less scrutiny. Research examined three regret rates - for plastic surgery, major life decisions and vital surgical procedures.

The stats 🟢 Just 16 out of 3,400 people (less than 0.5%) had some form of regret after transitioning. Compared to...

🔴 47% of those that undergo breast augmentation surgery

🔴 19.5% of weight loss surgery patients

🔴 and around 7% of people who have children

The hyperfocus on detransitioners still exists however, and is frequently used as a way to invalidate all trans people's experiences. Furthermore, leaked NHS plans this week appear to push trans people to detransition against their will by instructing people to stop the use of “unregulated” and “overseas providers” for gender-affirming care. Essentially, this means that any trans youth accessing care via private providers will be told to stop, or be referred to social services.

Black mothers more likely to be hospitalised

Tell me more Analysis of NHS figures show that Black mothers are twice as likely than white mothers to be hospitalised for perinatal mental illnesses. Between 2020-2023, there were 777 admissions for mental disorders in the six weeks after childbirth. Black women made up 12%, despite accounting for only 5% of deliveries.

Wider context A number of factors contribute to these startling figures including structural inequality, access to healthcare, and cultural attitudes towards mental illness. This research comes after shocking figures on the racial disparity in maternal health, with Black women almost four times more likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts.

"After 14 years of Tory mismanagement of our NHS causing sky-high waiting lists, it is unsurprising that many women are struggling to access community support.”

- Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Labour MP for Tooting

Are men being excluded from flexible working?

Flexible working has roots in sexism, with mothers having greater (relative) access due to the assumption they are the primary caregiver.

What about dads? Men parent too, folks! Yet they face more of a stigma when requesting flexible working patterns to accommodate this. This stigma can deter men from asking for flexible working, and when they do ask, they can be met with resistance. Only 1 in 10 flexible working requests go through for men, compared to 4 in 10 for women.

The sexist (and heteronormative) assumption is that their wives should shoulder the childcare. Fathers who do get flexible working approved are often viewed negatively, seen as less 'manly' and more "idle." Of course, men should have equal access to flexible working, whether fathers or not! Like Eddie here..

THIS WEEK WE'RE LOVING ✨

🧏 Groundbreaking gene therapy restores hearing

📺 The Netflix series you haven't heard of which you need to watch

🎤 Improve your career prospects while enjoying some live music!