Male vs Female

Lately, sexism and feminism are very delicate topics to talk about. With just one wrong word you can get misunderstood and judged.

Women have been historically discriminated, no one can doubt it. They had to wait several years more than men to be allowed to vote and have some political voice. Although we have made some great improvements in order to achieve equality, women are still nowadays affected by traditional and sexist thoughts.

Politically, women have now (in developed countries) many rights they didn't use to have. But society old ideas are not changed as easy as laws. Women can find society trying to impose on them certain behaviours which they are expected to follow if they don't want to be alienated:

• Women have to make them look pretty so men can like them. Wear makeup or you'll be ugly! But not that much whore!!
• Women wear dresses and skirts. Not that long, boring prude. Not that short, naughty bitch.
• You are a girl, you can't play football, that's a boy thing. You have to play with dolls. You should watch princesses films', stop watching those about fights and cars. You are a tomboy.
• Hair is unaesthetic, you should shave all your body. You look gross if you don't save. No one will ever like you. On me it's different, hair looks great, the more the better, it proves how masculine I am.
• She is always partying and she has a very active sexual live. She is a slut. Her friend has not ever kissed a boy or have a boyfriend, she is a prig.

These pejorative comments are not just directed towards women. Society criticises everything that's different. Boys can also suffer from this bullying due to several reasons like not being as masculine as they are expected to be, don't be as interested in girls as their friends or having a different sexuality, not liking or playing the popular sports (like football) all their classmates do, etc. But the true is due to historic reasons women can feel more pressured.

Yeah, we all know women have suffered long enough because of sexist attitudes, and we are trying our best to totally integrate and accept the figure of women in our society as an equal. But don't go further than that, don't make it the opposite. We are trying to achieve a society where all individuals are seen as equals no matter their gender, not making women superior than men in order to change the historic balance of powers. Men disrespecting women because they are women, and women disrespecting men because they are men, are both sexism.

Some of this "radical feminists" or "feminazists", those women who don't look for equality between genders but female supremacy: the ones who affirm that men are not discriminated because they are the ones who control society, the ones who say men have no problems at all, the ones who hate men, the ones who would like to set up a new society oppressing men this time, they are the ones who are bringing us a new kind of sexism instead of getting us rid of it.

* ANEX:

I also want to demand the amount of men who are not able to see their children due to FAKE denounces about domestic violence. Some men hit their wives and can even kill them, this is horrible and it must be punished. Most of this denounces are real, I don't have a doubt about it. But some of them are not and it is very unfair a good father and husband who never did anything wrong is not allowed to see his own children because of a fake report. His life ruined by a lie? Yes, this sometimes happens. Some advocates recommend women who want divorce to demand their husband for domestic violence through it is not real. That's because justice usually acts slowly, and if you want a quick divorce the denounce make things easier. But... at what price?

I know what you are thinking right now. Society is so predictable. You are now thinking I'm sexist. But I'm not. I respect women. I fight for their right of equality. But I don't fight for the right of superiority of anyone. From my point of view, we are all equal and we all have the same rights.

Women have problems. Men have problems. Women are discriminated because they have been considered inferior all through history. That doesn't imply we have to make men feel inferior now. It means we have the duty to achieve a society of equality and freedom where women and men are treated equally and given the same opportunities. Erase your prejudices.

I have never understood what has to do your genitalia with the way you should be treated. I don't make a difference between boys, girls, men or women. I respect them all. I respect persons. I respect humans. No matter their gender. No matter what's between their legs.

/// I don't own the pics. I tried to select some to illustrate what I'm trying to explain through text. Since I wouldn't like to get misunderstood I'm gonna make my views clear in a summary paragraph:
I don't care about a woman's appearance, they are free to wear and do with their body whatever they want. I think they have the right to choose what they think it's better for them. I want them to be given the opportunity to keep studying at university. I demand the same salaries for them than men for doing the same amount of work, not less money. I want to give them help if needed with children to be able to construct their family. I want them to be accepted in society as they are, not imposed a model. I want them to be married with whoever they like no matter their gender. I want them to be happy and enjoy themselves. So please don't get me wrong. I respect all women and I fight for their rights. I consider myself a feminist. But feminism = equality, not female supremacy over men. I hope you can understand what I'm trying to express. Society seems not to have a middle-point: either man is superior to woman or woman are better than man. Can't we all be equal? I made this post because (though women are still sometimes discriminated due to their sex) I want to denounce the radicalism of some postures who claim they are feminism and to show society how sexism can be played both ways. ///

My opinion on current Immigration

Immigration is a topic of great importance nowadays and it is causing lots of problems. Facing a wave of refugees fleeing from the war of Syria and a terrorist group threatening the West, people are adopting a xenophobe and racist attitude towards it. An example of this is the recent victory of Donald Trump in the American elections. Following his electoral programme, which is totally intolerant with immigrants, he passed a law to avoid the travelling from seven Muslim countries to USA, in order to make his country safe again.

From my point of view, these radical and discriminatory policies are the real problem, not immigrants. This posture just feed the fear of the unknown and the hatred of the different. I think that immigration should be free and allowed and we should not deport those who are forced to flee their country out of fear or need, but help them and shelter them.

Because honestly, if bombs start falling over your home and you see how your close friends die day after day (knowing you'll probably be the next); who wouldn't run away, looking for a better place, where you can at least have the hope of live? And if they don't let us leave, where's our alleged liberty?

Chemistry of Love

Love is a common topic people talk about in our society, but not many of them understand. Poets and writers have talked about it, but it's time for scientists, biologist and psychologist.

Here you have the scientific explanation for how you feel when you are in love and the main hormones that run through your body.

Love is in the heart? No, darling. It is in the brain, it's all reduced to chemical reactions!

To start with, in an organised way, love has three very different stages: lust, falling in love and attachment.

LUST

That feeling of attraction when you see someone hot. The urges he or she awakens in your body. This is not real love but it all starts like this. When someone, due to his appearance, well-proportioned features, common hobbies, similar thoughts, mysterious atmosphere that surround them, or just by a nice smell they emit, is able of calling our attention.

• Testosterone

Testosterone is the masculine sexual hormone. It's the responsible of the physiological changes in boys at puberty: penis enlargement, testicle development, sperm production, facial and body hair appearance, etc.

It helps to spatial vision, aggressiveness, power and authority. Males are the ones who usually compete for the territory and the females in the majority of the animal species. The winner or dominant male increases his testosterone level while in the looser it decreases.

Apart from that, testosterone is also very important in libido and well-being. Good levels of testosterone are associated with confidence, increase in muscles, healthy heart, strong bones, frequent erections and sexual desire. Low levels can cause erectile dysfunction, constant fatigue, increase in fat, risk of osteoporosis and low libido.

• Oestrogens

Oestrogens are the feminine sexual hormones. They are responsible for the physiological changes in girls at puberty: breast growth, vagina and uterus maturation, ovulation, menstruation, etc. It helps in cholesterol regulation and fat storage, outlining the curves of women's figure (main fat accumulations are located at breasts and hips). Oestrogens remain around the same levels about 25 years after puberty and they slowly decrease in the process known as menopause.

Oestrogens also influence not only in physiological changes but mood changes. A fall in oestrogens can cause irritability and even depression. They also stimulate women's libido and sexual desire. Mood swings and horniness in women period are caused by this.

• Pheromones

Pheromones are biochemical substances our body segregate as a form of communication to find a sexual partner. They are still a mystery and their existence in humans are not proved yet. Our body would release pheromones into the air, carrying information about us (such as our sexuality or sexual preferences), to attract possible partners. It's expected these pheromones are founded in sweat, urine and other fluids and detected by smell. It's supposed those smells we catch and are able to arouse us, like when being close to a sweaty person, contain hormones.

FALLING IN LOVE

What we actually feel when we fell in love with someone, that mad love we can't help. The urge to see them, talk to them, be with them, cuddle with them... and the guilty feeling that carries the rejection and the insecurities of not being corresponded. All that cocktail of feeling we can't explain, from a scientific view.

• Dopamine

This hormone and neurotransmitter is related to the brain reward system, which is associated with motivation and pleasurable sensations. It is one of the main neurotransmitters associated with falling in love.

When we make actions that made us feel good (such as achieve some objective, have satisfactory sexual relationships, eat something sweet and delicious, understand some joke, be accomplished, etc) our dopamine levels increase as a reward, provoking a pleasant feeling. After this experience, our

brain will try and raise its dopamine levels to feel good again.

Thanks to this system, once achieved our goals, we'll have more energy to go after the next challenge. This has its positive and negative sides. On one hand, it helps us to be motivated and to reach our aims. On the other hand, dopamine is the main cause of addictions. When we take drugs, huge amounts of domine are released, creating a big dependence on the substance to be able of reaching that point of pleasure again. That's why addictions are so hard to quit and why they say love is like a drug.

• Serotonin

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter of happiness. It creates a general well-being and it is the natural mood stabiliser. Low levels of serotonin have being associated to depression and anxiety.

It helps to regulate functions as sleeping, eating and digesting. It also helps to regulate anxiety, happiness and mood. It makes us feel happier, calmer, more focused, less anxious and more emotionally stable. It is produced by exposure to sunlight, exercise, a healthy diet and meditation. It's also released after orgasms and make us sleep better. It's the responsible of that good feeling when warm sun-rays touch our skin and that it can sometimes make us sleepy.

When falling in love serotonin levels decrease so our emotions can go crazy. Due to this, we can be extremely happy if our love is corresponded or feel horrible when we are rejected. This is why people can go into depression because of love. It also explains the loss of appetite and the hard time trying to fall asleep.

• Norepinephrine

Norepinephrine or noradrenaline which induces euphoria in your brain, exciting your body by giving it a booster dose of natural adrenaline. This causes the blood pressure to beat faster and the blood pressure to rise. It's also responsible of the trembling, heart pounding, sweaty palms and nervous sensation that being next to someone you are attracted to can trigger.

Norepinephrine helps us to be focused and alert, ready for action (it's associated with flee-or-fight). When we norepinephrine is high we tend to centre our mind even in small details. This is what make you remember and care about little things and insignificant gestures that took place between your crush and yourself and probably nobody remembers, not even him/her. Norepinephrine also increases when we are in stressful situations, like some socially awkward moment or while doing an exam.

• Phenylethylamine

It's a natural amphetamine, like the known drug, and can cause the same stimulation effects. It contributes to that on-top-of-the-world feeling that attraction can bring, and gives you the energy to stay up day and night with a new love.

ATTACHMENT

This is one of the most important stages and it only appears in long-term relationships. Its focused on the bonds created between two people who love each other. High levels of oxytocin and vasopressin may interfere with dopamine and norepinephrine pathways, which may explain why with the time attachment grows as mad passionate love fades. The true love.

• Oxytocin

Also known as the 'cuddle chemical' or the 'hormone of hugs'. It's seen especially while giving birth, with its important role in inducing labour by stimulating contractions. It's also released due to the stimulation of nipples by the suction of the baby, helping in breastfeeding.

Oxytocin has a great influence in our ability to bond with others and establish loving relationships. It affects generosity by increasing empathy and caring, uniting people. It's literally the hormone of love because it creates harmonious relationships full of affection. It's produced, in both genders, when touching and cuddling, with the oxytocin level peaking during orgasm.

• Vasopressin

This hormone is present in the family bond and the tie between parents and children. It evokes that instinct of protection provoking a watchfulness attitude.

Also called as "the monogamy chemical". Researchers have found that suppression of vasopressin can cause males to abandon their love nest and seek new mates. Studies have shown that men are usually more worried about sexual infidelity, due to the evolutionary fear of raising the children of other men (no perpetuation of his genetic legacy); while woman tend to concern more about emotional infidelity, due to the evolutionary fear of raising the children alone (with no help from men).

• Endorphins

Endorphins are biochemical compounds that our body releases into the blood stream to attenuate the pain and/or create a feeling of well-being. Among their functions, we can find: help to calm pain after some excess of physical activity or some extreme effort, production of sexual hormones, create pleasant sensations facing nice situations, enforce the immunologic system, anti-stress, anti-aging, modulate appetite, improve memory and make us happy.

When we do some activities our body identifies as pleasant, it is produced an increase in endorphins: physical activity, satisfactory sexual relationships, laugh, contact with nature, relax, massages, have some hobby, music, food and their stimulus (smells and flavors), do thing for other's benefit, being with someone, etc.

People with low levels of endorphins tend to be always sad (no specific reason), spiritless, bored and usually tend to see things dark and negative.

> CHOCOLATE

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, due to its high concentration in cacao, helps to produce and releases lots of hormones such as dopamine and endorphins. When we eat chocolate we feel practically the same sensation than when we are in madly in love. This is why after a break-up, people tend to drown their sadness into chocolate. It makes them recreate that amazing feeling they don't longer have.

Well, this was a summary of the scientific explanation of love, because everything has a scientific explanation. Now, enjoy your Valentine's Day. Sorry if I took the magic away, but at least you can understand what you feel now. Thanks for reading, if you are still interested I'm gonna leave some links down here from which I took some information and also some documentaries to watch about the topic. I hope you enjoy them. Wait... you single for St Valentine's Day?? Eat chocolate!!

http://www.silviamar.com/Documents/love.htm

http://asdn.net/asdn/chemistry/chemistry_of_love.php

http://www.youramazingbrain.org/lovesex/sciencelove.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75hVA6OUOAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp7Ydv5wAPk

http://library.fora.tv/2013/09/28/human_relationships

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri9hIqhiIGY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UsrOhNlF_E   (Spanish)