Carlmont Highlander Volume 15 Issue 1 2023-24

DECEMBER 2023

The perfect holiday:

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED read it on page 15

VOLUME XV, ISSUE I

CARLMONT HIGH SCHOOL BELMONT, CALIFORNIA

CARLMONT MEDIA Carlmont Journalism is a nationally renowned media arts program run by the students of Carlmont High School. Our staff works to deliver the latest news to our student body, their families, and the community.

We are committed to delivering information, current events, and thought-provoking ideas to our audience through storytelling. In our magazine, you will find the passions of writing, intricacies of design, and action of photography all on one page. We hope that the Highlander helps you engage with information in a new way and broaden your perspective on local topics.

Keep it on a shelf, in your bag, or under the bed for years to come—our magazine is timeless.

HIGHLANDER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lucille Sanders HIGHLANDER MANAGING EDITORS Clementine Cunningham Inaaya Omer HIGHLANDER EDITORS Serenity Corbett-Richardson Samantha Crowther Elaine Jiang Kara Kim Alice Lan Sienna Reinders Daniella Smit Isabella Zarzar Katherine Zhang SCOT SCOOP EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Gabrielle Shore SCOT CENTER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Sydney Tao

STAFF Rachel Alcazar Alyssa Bish Hannah Chan Ujala Chauhan Erik Cheng Annabel Chia Charlotte Gordon Urvi Kulkarni Franklin Kuo Evan Leong Shiyo Ohashi Isabella Rice Quinn Rolland Penelope Singh Gracia Shao-Xue Jackson Sneeringer Alessandra Tremulis Alana Wacker Avery Wong Emma Yin

SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Piper Diehn FACULTY ADVISER Justin Raisner

advertising inquiries: carlmontads@gmail.com other inquiries: highlanderscotscoop@gmail.com

DEAR READER, Welcome to the first issue of Highlander Magazine for the 202324 school year. Our new editorial team is overjoyed to kick off the year with a new look, but the same quality and diversity of perspectives previous volumes have imparted to the Carlmont community.

Winter is one of the most heartwarming times of the year, but for some, it resurfaces bittersweet memories and emotions that we have kept safely stowed. We all cope with the loneliness in different ways— taking a walk through the streets lined with changing leaves, spending time with friends that make us feel warm inside, or cozying up with a movie and hot cocoa. As important as it is to take care of ourselves during a time when we may feel isolated, we tend to forget about those who are spending this season in ways unknown to our traditional practices.

The people around us are products of varying family backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs; so this year, let’s immerse ourselves in the worlds and stories of our peers that our staff have described and narrated.

We hope our first issue fills you with a multitude of emotions, sparking a reflection on the ways in which diversity makes the holiday season whole.

Warmly,

CONTENTS Moments 01 Capturing school spirit Football games, lunchtime activities, and more

Community 05 To celebrate the holidays...

Opinion 21 Self care...or so we think Is self care just a business ploy to make money off insecurities?

22 The dinner table's most taboo topic The age-old family political debate during the holidays is avoidable

23 Highlighting holiday gender stereotypes Changing female roles during the holidays

...or not?

07 Bringing the community

together

Food hot spots in San Carlos

Arts & Culture 09 Moments of 2023

Trends, celebrity relationships, and more from this year

11 Doja cat's hate-fueled

rebrand

The rise and fall of an artist

13 A day in San Francisco Things to do and places to go in the city

Scotlight 15 Smashing holiday expectations Expectations versus reality: the holiday edition

17 Culture clash How different cultures celebrate the holidays

19 Aging through the holidays Growing pains during the holiday season

Features 25 The price of womanhood The fight for affordable feminine products

27 The silent epidemic Medical gaslighting of women

29 Leaping over obstacles The demanding routine of student dancers

01 MOMENTS DECEMBER 2023

Capturing school spirit

Photos by Alyssa Bish Junior Cassandra Colaizzi cheers loudly for the Scots football team at the lights out game. During football games, Carlmont students show school spirit by both dressing to the theme of the game, and cheering on the players on the field. “I love cheering for football games because it hypes up the players and the student section which always makes it so fun,” Colaizzi said.

(left) Senior Jacob Yuryev celebrates with his teammates after guessing a song correctly in the music trivia portion of the Carlmont Cup. Carlmont Cup is a fall tradition at Carlmont where friends form teams and participate in tournament-style games at lunch.

(right) Junior Alexandra Bieser hugs her teammate as she comes onto the volleyball court. Both on and off of the court, Bieser stays positive, encouraging her teammates to play better.

DECEMBER 2023 MOMENTS 02

A Carlmont friend group laughs and relishes each other's company as the students wait out the fire drill.

They spend their time chit-chatting and playing with each other's hair in the sweltering hot sun of the Friday afternoon. Photo by Ujala Chauhan.

Bursting with laughter, Charlotte Lin and Willow Ishibashi share a joyful moment while studying. "I love spending time with friends and making jokes. We have been friends since I was a sophomore and I’m sad that I will be graduating this year," Lin said. Photo by Sydney Tao.

03 MOMENTS DECEMBER 2023

Senior Megan Kerby watches as she makes a giant bubble outside of the S building as part of a lab for her AP Biology class. With lots of practice and dedication, Kerby was able to make several impressive bubbles. Photo by Alyssa Bish.

(left) ASB president Rohan Haldankar plays the drums to excite the "Screamin’ Scots" section during a football game.

“We expected an insane amount of turnout, and somehow, I think we still had more students than expected,” Haldankar said. (right) Seniors Samantha Dechaine and Kiera Moore promote the Junior State of America (JSA). JSA is a nonprofit organization that models the U.S. government and helps the youth engage with politics. "Promoting our club to other kids is so important in order to combat political apathy," Dechaine said.

Photos by Inaaya Omer

05 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 2023

To celebrate the holidays ...or not?

Photos by Isabella Rice

DECEMBER 2023 COMMUNITY 06

TO CELEBRATE PENELOPE SINGH

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any people celebrate the holidays, but some get more invested than others. People find various ways to celebrate them, and many celebrate those unique to their own family or religon.

According to Statista, 90% of Americans celebrate Christmas, including Belmont resident Shannon McCaslin.

While Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus, it has become a more secular holiday in the U.S., with people of no religious affiliation using Christmas to come together with family and celebrate its associated secular traditions. “We put up stockings, lights, and of course, a tree in early December. It’s important to make the inside and outside of our house look festive,” McCaslin said.

In addition to decorating their home for the holiday season, McCaslin and her family prioritize quality time spent together on Christmas Eve. “We’ll spend time with family and prepare food for the next day,” McCaslin said. “Sometimes my parents will come, or we will visit them. It just makes the holiday more meaningful.”

McCaslin has many Christmas traditions with her family.

“We eat dinner and open our presents together; if we aren’t with family, we’ll call them to wish them a merry Christmas,” McCaslin said.

Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights, which takes place on the 25th day of Kisev, a date from the Hebrew calendar. On the Gregorian calendar, it typically takes place in early December.

Sofie Budman, a sophomore at Carlmont, celebrates Hanukkah with her family every year.

“Although Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday, many people celebrate it nonreligiously,” Budman said.

Just like McCaslin, Budman also

decorates her house for the holiday.

“We don’t really decorate the exterior of our house. It’s not the same as other holidays; Hanukkah is mostly a time to spend with family, so it’s just a small setup with a menorah,” Budman said.

A menorah is a Jewish symbol used during Hanukkah. It has nine branches including a center with one candle each. Every day of the celebration, the center candle is used to light a new one.

In addition to decorations, food is an integral part of the holiday.

“Typically, we’ll eat potato latkes, soup, fish, fruit, and many other foods my grandma makes after lighting the menorah,” Budman said. “My mom is Ukrainian, so she cooks Ukrainian and Jewish food.”

The holiday season brings together diverse practices beyond religious and cultural boundaries. McCaslin and Budman get throroughly invested in their holidays, highlighting the value of family and traditions.

OR NOT EVAN LEONG

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he holidays are a time for joy, relaxation, and celebration, but each year, only some people join the festivities.

According to Statista, a global data and business intelligence platform, in 2022, 13% of people did not celebrate Independence Day, 10% did not celebrate Christmas, and 20% did not celebrate Easter.

People consider many factors when choosing whether to celebrate a holiday.

Such a factor may be religion or culture, which often define a holiday itself.

According to Pew Research, 96% of Christians celebrate Christmas, highlighting the impact religion has on which holidays people celebrate.

“If someone doesn’t necessarily celebrate, it’s usually because they don’t identify with it,” said Oscar Fabic,

an English teacher at Carlmont. “For example, Diwali looks like such a fun thing. I’ve never participated because I don’t have the same understanding of the culture and its significance. So even though I respect it, I may not necessarily celebrate it.”

Another major part of the holidays that some skip out on is the financial aspect, where people go out of their way to spend more during the holiday season. Black Friday, in particular, exemplifies this spending. According to Statista, Black Friday is now the busiest shopping day in the year for the U.S. Because of the holidays' financial element, many find that there isn’t a point in celebrating those that play a big role in the corporate world.

“I don’t celebrate holidays like Cinco De Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day because they just feel like an excuse for Americans to celebrate,” said Soren Hillesland, a freshman. “For big corporations, holidays are just big money-making events.”

Other people celebrate certain parts of a holiday but don’t participate in other common traditions, like decorating for Halloween and Christmas. Aurelia Tsuboi, a junior, expressed this sentiment.

“We used to do Halloween decorations at a younger age, but with an apartment, it’s harder to. But we still all go trick-or-treating with people we’ve been friends with for over a decade,” Tsuboi said.

Regardless of background, culture, financial situation, and personal preferences, people still find ways to respect holidays even if they don’t necessarily partake in them.

“I think society generally understands the spirit of the celebration as celebrating culture, even if they’re not a part of it. They’re celebrating the best parts of that culture by participating in the activities of that country,” Fabic said.

07 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 2023

Photos by Isabella Rice The Crepe Stop in San Carlos incorporates aspects of French and Italian cuisine, selling sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches, and decadent gelato.

Food brings the community together Many culturally inspired restaurants in San Carlos feature authentic foods that people of all backgrounds can enjoy QUINN ROLLAND

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ulture is represented everywhere, especially in food. For many people, food is a way to spread love and embrace their ethnicity by sharing a piece of it with others, and there are various ways to accomplish this.

One example is through ingredients; using spices that grow in certain regions can familiarize others with traditional flavors from different areas. New foods and flavors can help someone expand their pallet.

Michelle Greenbaum, an entrepreneur chef who teaches others about the arts of cuisine, exposes kids to new foods in her cooking classes.

“I want the kids I teach to experience all kinds of flavors. I'll have them try roasted cauliflower with turmeric on top and call it ‘fairy dust,’” Greenbaum said.

Another way culture can become a part of a dish is through family recipes. Passing recipes down through generations tells stories of one’s

DECEMBER 2023 COMMUNITY 08

A gyro bowl from Nick the Greek, a popular, culturally-based restaurant in San Carlos. The bowl features a traditional Greek yogurt sauce called tzatziki, a choice of protein like chicken, and a variety of vegetables.

La Corneta Taqueria is a Mexican restaurant located along San Carlos Avenue. They offer a variety of Mexican food with many flavors and spices. In their restaurant, they display their culture through colorful murals and unique architecture.

family history, culinary techniques, and unique ingredients.

Emily Hamanaka, a senior at Carlmont, explains that she greatly appreciates dishes knowing they were shared with those before her.

"I like that some of the foods I eat were once shared with my ancestors’ loved ones and then passed down to later generations. It helps me feel more connected with them," Hamanaka said.

Additionally, food’s role in culture is enjoyable for all, going beyond borders and languages.

Sharing food with diverse backgrounds can bring people together, allowing for exposure to other traditions and creating a deeper appreciation for different cultures.

While visiting different countries, Greenbaum followed a man who hardly spoke English to an authentic restaurant and enjoyed an excellent dish, which helped her realize that language barriers have little impact in the culinary world.

"It doesn't matter where you are; even if you

don’t speak the same language, there’s still that mutual love for food. You don't have to talk. You just eat," Greenbaum said.

Food is the celebration of diversity for many.

Each flavor and scent can take one on a journey. It transports people to the worlds of different ethnic cultures, and serves as a unifying force between them. It also creates a sense of appreciation for others.

Scott Saturday, a former chef, expresses his admiration for other cultures.

"The key part of exposing others to food is through communication. However you treat the food or season it, as long as you respect people's connection when they break bread, that's what matters. A lot of the most important parts of people's lives happen over meals with a cup of coffee or something like that, and you're providing that space, so you want to do it with reverence," Saturday said.

09

ARTS & CULTURE DECEMBER 2023

Pop culture moments of 2023 AVERY WONG

MUSIC Many women in the music industry released hit song after hit song this year, earning awards in every category and genre.

23-year-old Ice Spice has been an up and coming rapper since her feature in “Boy’s a Liar Pt.2” with Pinkpantheress. The song came out in February 2023 and currently has over 670 million streams on Spotify.

Ice Spice also collaborated with Grammy-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj for “Barbie World” in June 2023. Ice Spice has over 10 million followers on Instagram as of September 30.

More rising artists of this year include K-Pop girl group NewJeans. The group debuted in August 2022 with five members: Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin, and Hyein.

According to an article from the Billboard website, NewJeans entered first place on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart with “2nd EP ‘Get Up’” in August.

Another popular singer’s highly anticipated full album came out soon after.

Olivia Rodrigo released “Guts” after over two years

of her first Grammy-winning album “Sour.”

Female singers have not only been charting with streams, but also with sales.

Time magazine predicts Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to generate around $5 billion in consumer spending for the United States as she continues to perform around the world.

“Swift has been performing the equivalent of two to three Super Bowls every weekend for the past five months (and six of seven nights at her last round of shows in Los Angeles),” Jeannie Kopstein and Mariah Espada, writers for the Time magazine, said.

Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour also kicked off this year and is expected to have an effect of $4.5 billion in spending, according to The New York Times.

Swift, Beyoncé, and many other female singers have been paving the way in 2023 both artistically and economically.

Celebrity Couples There were two major celebrity breakups that took the internet by a storm. The first being between Grammy-winning singer Taylor Swift and English actor Joe Alywn. According to Teen Vogue, the couple had been together since October 2016, where they were quick to become one of the most praised celebrity couples over the years they dated.

Many of Swift’s hit songs hinted at their mostly private relationship, according to an article by People, an online media source surrounding pop culture news. Some of these tracks included “Gorgeous,” “London Boy,” and “Lavender Haze.” However, in April 2023 an anonymous source reported that Swift and Alwyn had broken up during an exclusive interview with People.

“Joe has struggled with Taylor's level of fame and the attention from the public," the source said. “The differences in their personalities have also become harder to ignore after years together. They've grown apart.”

Although Swift and Alwyn’s breakup was seemingly not

Art by Shiyo Ohashi

DECEMBER 2023 ARTS & CULTURE 10 dramatic, the same could not be said about pop singer Ariana Grande and real estate agent Dalton Gomez.

According to the Today website, Grande and Gomez privately married in May 2021 and then simultaneously filed for divorce in September 2023.

It wasn’t the divorce that caused months of drama online, but rather thescandal surrounding Grande’s relationship with costar Ethan Slater. The two were said to have met during the production of the musical film remake of Wicked, set to premiere in 2024.

Slater was previously married to Lilly Jay, and the two had a child together, according to Page Six, a celebrity news site. Slater and Jay’s relationship ended around the time when rumors about his relationship with Grande began to surface.

During this time, his ex-wife spoke in an exclusive interview with Page Six, wanting to get her story out to the public. “(Ariana’s) the story, really. Not a girl’s girl,” Jay said. “My family is just collateral damage.”

Since then, Grande and Slater have been seen in public on numerous occasions but have yet to speak out on the matter.

ENTERTAINMENT One of the biggest pop culture resets this year was Greta Gerwig’s movie “Barbie.” The film first hit theaters on July 23, starring actors such as Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, and Simu Liu. According to NPR, “Barbie'' impacted a number of entertainment-related records. It became the highest grossing Warner Brothers movie and also the only movie solely directed by a woman to hit $1 billion in box office sales.

To viewers around the world “Barbie’s” success was more than the statistics. It became well-liked due to its feminist messages, portraying a world in which the patriarchy was yet to exist.

The strong female leads touched the hearts of women of all ages, bringing millions of people together on the internet. From posting about Ferrera’s iconic feminist monologue to saying “Hi Barbie” to strangers wearing pink, Gerwig’s movie was certainly a win for the entertainment industry.

Speaking of wins, there has been a major breakthrough racer in the Formula One world. He was the youngest player to enter F1 back in 2015. Now at age 25 and driving for the Red Bull team, Max Verstappen is setting other records.

According to NBC News, Verstappen “is having one of the most dominant seasons in F1 history.” He is the first driver to reach 10 wins in a row.

On October 7, Verstappen won his third consecutive world championship title in Qatar. The current record for most championships won is seven, held by Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

Given Verstappen’s recent show of skills in the past season, fans would not be surprised if he surpassed that amount in the near future.

With all the achievements in sports, movies, and music, there was a pop culture moment for everyone this year. The successes in 2023 have many people, especially in “Gen Z,” anticipating 2024.

Trends Lastly, 2023 has been filled with so many trends that it has been hard to keep track of all of them. Some style favorites include hair ribbons, Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, and Adidas Sambas.

The “no makeup” makeup look has also taken Instagram and TikTok beauty creators by a storm. It typically consists of gelling their eyebrows up, concealer, and no eyeliner or bright lip colors.

A controversy that has continued this year is the popularity of “nepo babies.”

This term has been used to describe children of well-known celebrities who have made their careers using the limelight from their famous parents.

Some popular “nepo babies” include Hailey Bieber, Ben Platt, Lily-Rose Depp, and Kate Hudson.

Although the term “nepotism” typically has a negative connotation, this genre of celebrities usually gain millions of followers anyway.

One of 2023’s most well-liked “nepo babies” was 25-year-old Sofia Richie. She is the daughter of Lionel Richie, and most famous for being an internet influencer with great style. She has over 11 million followers on Instagram where she posted her viral wedding back in April. The event was trending on multiple media platforms that had many fans praising her Chanel dress and the beautiful location in the south of France.

11 ARTS & CULTURE DECEMBER 2023

Doja Cat’s hate-fueled rebrand challenges fan loyalty URVI KULKARNI

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rom her start on SoundCloud to her Grammy-Winning album, Doja Cat’s fan base stuck by her side as she shape-shifted between various musical archetypes. In 2022, she claimed the title of Billboard’s number-one female artist, but her newest characteristic undertaking of animosity has made many of her die-hards reconsider their fandom.

In July 2023, rapper Doja Cat directly demeaned her "kittenz” fanbase on Threads. She took to the social media app to complain about their repeated use of her governmentissued name, sending enraged and explicit messages telling her fans to delete their years-old accounts.

“If you call yourself a ‘kitten’ or ‘kittenz’ that means you need to get off your phone and get a job and help your parents with the house,” Doja Cat wrote in a now-deleted post.

As the perceptions of their favorite celebrity were shattered, those caught in the artist’s crossfire were blindsided by her mockery of something they had been a part of for many years.

Fan pages like @ TheKittensRoom, @ DojaHQ, and @ DojaCatNews deactivated their accounts.

Such fan accounts are examples of parasocial relationships: media-based relationships that everyday people develop with celebrities.

“There have been times where I’ve gotten into a certain personality, and been like, ‘Wow, they’re like my inspiration, they’re sort of giving me hope,” said Lily Sabey, a Senior at Carlmont High School who runs her own Instagram fan account.

It’s become common for people to follow celebrities they can relate to or admire. However, growing invested in any parasocial relationship can create a false sense of closeness.

This is because, often, the personalities being idealized might be completely fabricated.

From Instagram posts to song lyrics, much of what is posted on social media is heavily curated by either PR agencies or artists’ labels, so when fans rave about an artist’s newest move, it may as well have been the product of a marketing ploy.

“Everyone’s always subconsciously putting on a little bit of a filter. But especially for celebrities, they can control how everyone sees them,” Sabey said. “I would still be surprised if they did something out of my perceived character for them.”

When Doja Cat lashed out at her fans, her lighthearted and kind image was shattered, leaving fans to experience real feelings of outrage and abandonment.

“I hope Doja loses all her followers and gets unverified, honestly,” @RoyallyIzzie took to X. “We supported her through so many times, and she almost got canceled, and she treats us like this.”

Doja Cat lost 200,000 Instagram followers overnight, but the rap artist seemed motivated by the controversies she was igniting.

DECEMBER 2023 ARTS & CULTURE 12 "My philosophy around my work has become more apparent over recent times because I have been very inspired by hatred and outrage culture,” said Doja Cat in an interview with VMagazine.

In the past few months, Doja Cat has taken her mission of hatred to new levels. Her latest provocation—a series of selfies of her wearing a shirt with an alternative right Neo-Nazi’s face—had her buried in mountains of backlash from the public and fans alike.

“Doja Cat is a former insane forum poster who got famous off a meme video.” @Gayest_tone wrote on X. “What’s hard to understand?”

Whether she is simply seeking attention to remain relevant, fueling her art through the hatred of others, or has honestly let go of all outward pressures and transformed into her true self, Doja Cat fans now face the decisions of their allegiance and years of support.

“Hey Doja Cat fans, welcome to the Kanye West fan experience,” @MFGROOT took to X. The recent downfall of previously hyper-famous musical artists, first with Kanye West and currently Doja Cat, speaks to the relationships between musical artists and their fans. The idea that celebrities owe their fans anything is the result of an unrealistic narrative that exists only on one side of the screen.

Though they might have fallen in love with her style, her lyrics, and her online personality, Doja Cat fans had no idea of who she really was. Those who had invested years into their accounts could have never predicted that she did not want or even care for their support.

“Some people who are creative are going to say what they want to say,” Doja Cat told VMagazine. “It isn’t my problem what people think.”

Art by Shiyo Ohashi

13 ARTS & CULTURE DECEMBER 2023

A perfect day in San Francisco ANNABEL CHIA

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an Francisco: a city with a rich history, known for being a melting pot of diverse cultures. The city is unique for the distinct vibrant neighborhoods that host different social-cultural groups; with all these different neighborhoods crammed within those 46 miles, there are an endless amount of activities to do.

With all the different tourist attractions and unique spots to see, it can get overwhelming to build a list of places to hit.

So here’s a guide on how to spend the perfect day in the city.

HIKE AT GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE DOWN TO BAKER BEACH The Golden Gate Bridge is already quite majestic in all its red glory. However, the view is even better when you’re on the sand of Baker Beach with the bridge looming above you! You can take the Baker Beach trail down to the beach– it’s around a 6-mile hike but it’s not too steep so it’s definitely doable.

Although it may seem like a long hike, the view will be worth it as you’ll see the historic landmark from a new angle.

BREAKFAST AT DEVIL’S TEETH BAKING COMPANY The first stop: a delicious breakfast to fuel up for the day. A popular spot that blew up on social media within the past year is Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, and they’re definitely popular for a great reason. They are known for their delectable breakfast biscuit sandwiches. However, they have baked goods as well which are also delicious. This is a perfect place to start your day and you’ll leave satisfied for sure.

The thrift shop's front windows utilize old records to decorate, adding to their retro theme. Many people come to Haight-Ashbury to visit Amoeba Music, a record shop

EXPLORE THE SHOPS ON HAIGHT ASHBURY

Photos by Gracia Shao-Xue Devil’s Teeth Baking Company specializes in their breakfast sandwiches. Pictured is their Special Breakfast Sandwich without avocado.

Art by Emma Yin

Haight Ashbury was famous in the 60s for the counterculture movement, and many stores in the neighborhood still reflect that same attitude today. There’s an endless amount of vintage clothing stores here which range from more curated, upscale vintage boutiques to your typical Goodwill. In addition, there are many fun jewelry shops to stop by and it’s unique to see how each store carries a different style of goods. Since Haight Ashbury was the home to many famous artists like Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead, you can roam the streets and find many people expressing their musical talents in spirit. Or, you can visit Amoeba Music and pick out some new CDs or Vinyls to listen to.

DECEMBER 2023 ARTS & CULTURE 14

GO TO THE MISSION DISTRICT TO SEE THE MURALS

Balmy Alley in the Mission District features colorful murals painted by various artists. It is home to the most concentrated collection of murals in San Francisco.

LUNCH AT CHINATOWN, TRY VARIOUS DIM SUM DISHES Chinatown is a tourist attraction that’s definitely worth a visit. This cultural hub is filled with delicious cuisine, and you can try a range of Chinese food from cheap eats to more of an upscale atmosphere. I’d personally recommend trying out a dim sum spot– there are many famous ones such as Good Mong Kok Bakery but the smaller, less populated restaurants are equally as delicious. By ordering dim sum, you can order many dishes and try different things. This is definitely the neighborhood to stop by if you want to venture out of your typical palette and taste new bites.

Customers sort their way through the dozens of racks of clothes at Wasteland, a popular thrift store in the Haight-Ashbury district.

The Mission District is a neighborhood with Latino roots, but it’s also virtually an outdoor gallery filled with colorful murals. Many artists express their cultural heritage or spotlight the perils of the community through vibrant murals spawning all around the neighborhood. It’s definitely worth just strolling around the different alleys to appreciate all the art. The most prominent one to visit is Balmy Alley, filled with themes of social injustice and is often used as advocacy against gentrification along these walls.

HERE, TRY A FAMOUS MISSION BURRITO FOR DINNER Since you’re already in the Mission, you might as well stay for dinner and try out a Mission burrito, or a San Francisco-style burrito. This type of burrito originated in the Mission during the 60s and still remains a famous bite. Taqueria La Cumbre and El Faro both claim they were the first to serve this dish, but throughout the mission, you’ll probably see many old-school taquerias that will have the mission burrito on the menu. What sets the Mission burrito apart from others is simply its sheer size: they’re larger than the average burrito and filled with rice, meat, sour cream, and guacamole.

The alley features a vast array of murals that are eye-catching such as this one picturing two parrots perched on a branch.

These murals are painted on garage doors and people's houses.

15 SCOTLIGHT DECEMBER 2023

Photo by Alyssa Bish

DECEMBER 2023 SCOTLIGHT 16

SMASHING holiday expectations The holidays are not always as perfect as portrayed in mainstream media, but different experiences make them no less unique and magical

JACKSON SNEERINGER & HANNAH CHAN

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winkling lights dot the city. Pine trees with tinsel glitter inside nearly everyone’s homes. Reindeer decorate the lawn, presents peek out under the tree, and stockings hanging above the fireplace.

This perfectly picturesque scene is present in just about every movie set in late December: Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and A Christmas Story, and Batman Returns, to name a few.

It's a painted stereotype of the holidays that isn’t a feasible reality for many people due to cultural differences, familial struggles, growing up, and religion.

17 SCOTLIGHT DECEMBER 2023

Culture clash JACKSON SNEERINGER

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he United States is home to around 44.8 million foreignborn residents, accounting for about 13.7% of the population. With immigrants coming from all over the world, mixed-culture Christmases are increasingly common, especially for Chinese-American and Indian-American families, who make up 20% of all US immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute.

For Chinese-American families, Christmas is a more unconventional holiday to celebrate because it isn’t a part of the culture in China. However, younger generations witness Christmas all around them and expect it from their own families.

“My parents didn’t grow up with Christmas, so they just do the lights and decorations for fun,” said junior Megan Liu. “I kind of have to force my parents to celebrate it, and they do it willingly, but they wouldn’t celebrate if I weren’t there.”

When she was younger, Liu’s parents celebrated all the significant American holidays—Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Christmas—with other ChineseAmerican families in their neighborhood.

These gatherings often included a both Chinese cuisine and traditional American foods. The purpose was for the children to have similar holidays as what they watched on television and what their classmates told stories about without forfeiting the parents’ beliefs and traditions.

For junior Asha Mehta, whose grandparents immigrated to the U.S. from Gujarat in India, the holiday season is incredibly different from the standard white Christmas, though it is no less memorable.

Mehta and her family celebrate

“It's really exciting and awesome to me that I have my unique way of celebrating such a widespread mainstream holiday.”

ASHA MEHTA, CARLMONT Diwali, the Mehta STUDENT Hindu Festival sympathizes of Light, by hosting with children of or attending several immigrants who didn’t potluck-style parties with friends and grow up with the heavily commercialized family. These gatherings often comprise and traditional American holidays, yet of traditional Indian dress and food, with still want to partake in the nationwide a modern twist of a DJ and dance party. traditions. However, she believes it is Christmas was not celebrated much essential not to discredit a celebration in Gujarat before Mehta’s grandparents because it doesn’t fit the media immigrated. As such, the holidays are stereotype. more of an excuse for their family to “What we see in the media is share a nice meal than anything else. incredibly different from what everyone “Usually, we see those times as just else celebrates. It's really exciting and hanging out with people and not really awesome to me that I have my unique as a cultural thing,” Mehta said. “No way of celebrating such a widespread one in my family celebrates Christmas mainstream holiday,” Mehta said. “It's for its religious or American aspects; very special to me to celebrate that.” it's just a good excuse to hang out with everybody.”

DECEMBER 2023 SCOTLIGHT 18

Family dynamics JACKSON SNEERINGER

A

s movies such as Elf, Home Alone, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas have shown, the holidays are a time to be around family and loved ones, playing in the snow and watching the twinkling holiday lights together with some hot chocolate. The reality for some is that the smiling family pictures around a Christmas tree are a distant memory as family struggles dictate the mood of the holiday season.

For junior Darcy Winters, increasing tension between their parents’ marriage has transcended into their family life, making it apparent that a pleasant family gathering for Christmas is all but out of the picture.

“I don't really talk to my father and neither does my sister. We just coexist, but we're not existing as a family unit,” Winters said. “Considering how familyoriented holidays are supposed to be and how we are not really acting how a family should, holidays are definitely going to be tense. There's definitely going to be some snide comments thrown around.”

Winters’s usual Christmas consists of a family gathering at their grandparents' house where they open presents, cook during the day, and have dinner and dessert in the evening. Despite this seemingly ideal Christmas, Winters has always noticed their family functions stray heavily from the commercialized version of the holidays due to past alcohol issues and self-made traditions from their multi-race family.

“There's a little bit of want because there's a part of me that does want to perform like the stereotypical family gathering around the holidays,” Winters said. “Ultimately, I know that it's not

going to happen. There are a lot of points of contention.”

In a similar situation, senior Leila Velez has had to navigate the holidays with divorced parents for almost a decade, where neither parent wants to see much of the other.

“You think after being separated for so long that they wouldn’t bicker as much, but they bicker quite a lot,” Velez said. “So there's definitely a struggle.

My friends have more of a put-together family for the holidays, whereas I'm just trying to figure out if I'm staying with one parent or the other.”

Holidays have had a profound impact on Velez growing up. Her parents began their divorce when she was about nine years old, and a split family was a complex concept for her to grasp. Velez recalled the turmoil surrounding her family's situation in comparison with the big, happy families in the Christmas movies she watched and wondered why her family was different.

“Watching movies when I was a kid, I always wondered, why? Are my parents the only ones that aren't together for the holidays?” Velez said.

“Why is it that I have to go to mom's house for Christmas or my dad’s for Thanksgiving?”

Velez recognizes that it was probably for the best her parents split despite the impact on her growing up. However, she still wishes to have had happier holidays, as seen in the standard, warm, and fuzzy Hallmark specials.

“There's honestly many factors that I've missed out on,” Velez said. “A lot of my friends who have put-together families definitely spent more time and just seemed genuinely happier.

Whereas, sometimes I still wonder, Is this what it would have been like if they were still together?”

Darcy Winters's family gathers around the dinner table for their annual Christmas photo.

Courtesy of Darcy Winters.

19

SCOTLIGHT DECEMBER 2023

Aging through the holidays HANNAH CHAN

P

eople’s perception of the holiday season changes as they grow older. Mainstream Christmas creates a certain level of wonder, making it hard for children not to believe in it. As they age, Carlmont teachers Carolyn Wallace and Travis Callan agree that although the holidays may not be the same as when they were children, they still hold a kind of magic.

According to Statista, Wallace and Callan are among the 85% of the U.S population who celebrate Christmas.

Although it is the most popular winter holiday in the nation, Christmas traditions vary for different families.

“I have fond memories of singing hymns while my grandpa would play the piano…and looking out the windows of

Carolyn Wallace poses with Santa as a little girl. As a child, she looked forward to receiving presents from Santa. Courtesy of Carolyn Wallace.

“Looking back on

holidays, they were filled with magic and wonder and excitement.

As an adult, even though they are smaller, it’s still a feeling to be celebrating.”

our family car after dark as we drove by Christmas decorations and lights,” Wallace said.

Wallace’s childhood Christmas started with cutting down a tree and decorating it, then church services on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day consisted of a feast, gift exchanges, and football.

Her four grandparents would visit, and her family would coordinate to see each other.

She still celebrates Christmas with most of the same activities, but the size of the family gathering has decreased.

“My parents are close to 90 now, so we no longer host huge get-togethers.

My mother is in a memory care home, so we have a small-scale celebration with her. Family members who are local and well still visit. And there is always at least one family gathering where there is lots of great food, a chance to visit, and a modest gift exchange,” Wallace said.

Callan’s childhood Christmas included attending church and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, then opening presents on Christmas morning. He and his family would walk around San Francisco, where his grandparents lived, looking at the Christmas decorations.

“Now, my family is much smaller.

Both my grandparents and my mom and dad have passed, so it’s mainly me, my brother, and my wife,” Callan said.

The exclusion of change and loss is part of mainstream culture that those with less life experience start to expect.

As children grow, they begin to

TRAVIS CALLAN

identify mainstream fabrications.

“I don’t think it took away any magic… even though they’re smaller, it’s still a holiday,” Callan said.

As adults, Callan and Wallace step into the role of giving gifts rather than receiving them. They have learned that choosing to spend holiday time with loved ones is most important.

“My focus now is on doing my best to make sure that the youngest members of the family experience a lovely, magical, and special Christmas,” Wallace said.

Although Callan’s and Wallace’s perceptions of the holidays have changed, the wonder was never lost.

Transitioning from their childhood belief in mainstream Christmas tales, they have formed their own ideas about what Christmas magic really is.

“Looking back on holidays, they were filled with magic and wonder and excitemen. As an adult, even though they are smaller, it’s still a feeling to be celebrating. It’s not so much the stuff like when you were a kid…it’s more about just holding onto that feeling,” Callan said.

DECEMBER 2023 SCOTLIGHT 20

It's not just Christmas HANNAH CHAN

I

t’s the holiday season, and neighborhoods are bedecked with decorations. On one street, one house stands out from the rest. The colors of blue and white, along with candlelight, replace the traditionally used red and green Christmas lights.

Instead of a Christmas tree dressed up in ornaments and tinsel, the light from the hanukiah glows through the front window, painting the picture of Hanukkah.

It’s no surprise that Christmas headlines the winter and season and holiday cheer. According to Statista, it is the most celebrated U.S. holiday.

However, many other holidays are celebrated in the U.S. originating from various cultures and religions.

Hanukkah is one of many holidays, other than Christmas, celebrated in the U.S. This Jewish holiday begins on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar and lasts for eight days. It symbolizes the miraculous time the eight candles burned using one jar of oil after the Maccabees conquered Jerusalem.

Arlo Swartz, a junior at Carlmont High School, celebrates Hanukkah. His family lights the hanukiah each night and enjoys traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot, which are like jellyfilled donuts. There are parties with family and friends, and a synagogue party on one night. The nights are filled with Hebrew

M

songs sung by the whole family as the candles are lit.

“There are other Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. In Jewish tradition, those are probably considered more important than Hanukkah, but most people who aren’t Jewish don’t know what those are,” Swartz said.

Kaia Baker-Malone, a sophomore, celebrates Christmas and Hanukkah.

On Christmas Eve, she celebrates with her maternal grandparents, and on Christmas Day, she celebrates with her paternal grandparents. One of her family traditions is a Secret Santa gift exchange for Christmas, and she celebrates Hanukkah with her mom’s parents.

“I think I resonate more with the Christmas side because we celebrate that more than Hanukkah, and I grew up knowing more about the story of Christmas than the story of Hanukkah,” Baker-Malone said.

While not as mainstream as Christmas, Swartz believes Hanukkah is still prominent in the U.S. partly because they fall within close dates of each other. She hopes that the holiday will collect more recognition.

“If (Hanukkah) got more attention, then more people will be able to know what it is and know what I’m talking about when I say I celebrate Hanukkah,” Baker-Malone said.

ehta and Liu experience a cultural twist to the standard American Christmas. Velez and Winters work around their familial issues during celebrations. Callan and Wallace are still holding on to the magic of childhood during the holidays. Baker-Malone and Swartz celebrate the less-recognized holiday of Hanukkah.

No less valued than the mainstream white Christmas with family, presents, and food, they all believe their individually unique holiday celebrations provide an insight into reality.

Winter celebrations are not a one-size-fits-all.. Differing traditions and experiences allow everyone to experience their own happy holidays.

Art by Emma Yin

21 OPINION DECEMBER 2023

Self care is a capitalist scheme CHARLOTTE GORDON

T

he holiday season is often hailed as a time for giving, sharing, and expressing love to those we hold near and dear. The holidays are also a time when marketing messages about self-care and beauty take center stage as retailers try to sell their wares.

Self-care is defined by the National Library of Medicine as, “The ability to care for oneself through awareness, self-control, and self-reliance in order to achieve, maintain, or promote optimal health and well-being.” However, the term self-care has been conscripted to sell everything from cosmetics to candles and, the way I see it, has been boiled down to a marketing tactic.

Face masks and lip scrubs lining every checkout line, and more broadly, makeup and skincare as a whole are marketed as a dignified form of self-care and self-expression. While I appreciate that such things can be, I don't think the reason most teenage girls, myself included, wear makeup day to day is to express themselves. While makeup certainly can be a vehicle for self-expression, it is often more of a societal expectation that many people adopt, making it feel far more like a task than a creative outlet.

But what is the difference between

beauty products and self-care products? Closer scrutiny suggests that the difference between these two categories is a blurry line at best. Companies have realized that consumers may feel a greater tug to spend money on products that play up their self-care cache. Cosmetics companies are aware that consumers may consider spending on self-care as a more nurturing way to spend money rather than just buying make-up to look prettier. Yet even the purported benefits of these products are often touted in the context of improving the user’s appearance. According to the Global Cosmetics Industry, “U.S. prestige beauty industry sales totaled $14 billion in the first half of 2023, a 15% increase versus the same period in 2022.”

The holidays are a time for corporations to capitalize on the insecurities and attachment people have to appearance. Companies constantly promote the idea that anyone can become more attractive if they just try a little harder. Realistically, there is no end to the number of things someone could do and the money that could be spent to look better. Interestingly, younger people outspend older generations when it comes to beauty and self-care products. According to the personal finance site Lending Tree, “consumers spend an average of $1,754 a year on beauty-related goods and services. That rises with younger generations to an average of $2,670 among millennials and $2,048 among Gen Zers.”

Companies pitch an endless array of products marketed under the guise

of self-care. And for people who enjoy these products and can afford them, they can be fun, but for many, they sow seeds of insecurity.

Perhaps it is time to re-think the concept of self-care. While it is tempting to think of self-care as something that can be wrapped up with a bow on top, the ways we can actually care for ourselves deserve contemplation, creativity, and, probably hardest of all, time.

The global cosmetics market is expected to grow to

$

417.24 billion

by 2030, according to the Global Cosmetics Industry.

DECEMBER 2023 OPINION 22

Polarization makes political conversations inevitable RACHEL ALCAZAR

W

ith American politics increasingly bleeding into almost all aspects of life, talking about them in conversation with family is becoming inevitable, especially during the holidays.

American politics in 2023 are farreaching, managing to impact peoples’ views on scientifically proven topics like climate change and vaccines, personal name and pronoun preferences, and views on less consequential matters like which movies are damaging traditional values and such topics.

It would be challenging to talk about current events or life at a family gathering without bringing up politics.

In the past, I have hesitated to mention my active participation in social justice organizations and scientific justice institutions.

This doesn’t mean that we should keep avoiding topics that could be politicized in conversations at family gatherings. If anything, as every topic is increasingly polarized, we need to stop exerting so much effort to avoid mentioning politics altogether.

According to a 2019 Pew Research Center study, 60% of Democratic American adults and 45% of Republican adults had stopped talking about politics

to others for political reasons.

I have family members who I see once or twice a year, depending on the price of plane tickets, the status of quarantine, and who's in town. Other than the time I get to spend with them in person, the only connections I have are over social media or via group chat.

When I see these aunts and uncles during the holidays, I know that there can be a wide gap in the way that we perceive the world, especially now with increased partisan polarization. Given this difference, my main goal when spending time with these relatives has been to avoid arguments and conflict and to keep our relationship strong by tiptoeing through conversations that are starting to dabble in the political realm.

Luckily, there are some solutions that have helped me to navigate daunting conversations with relatives.

Compromise and finding common ground despite ideological differences seem so difficult but are much more constructive in the long run to maintain healthy relationships than having surface-level conversations. Even in politics, most Americans favor 50-50 compromise between parties, according to the Pew Research Center.

I remind myself that there are gaps in the way that we see the world, depending on what media we consume and what ideologies we believe in— naturally, parts of our believed realities will not align.

This means that I should be empathetic and not demeaning if someone has a belief I do not share.

It means that I should listen to my

I remind myself that there are gaps in the way that we see the world, depending on what media we consume and what ideologies we believe in—naturally, parts of our believed realities will not align. relatives’ perspectives and acknowledge their lived experiences rather than accuse them of being ignorant or having false beliefs. It is possible to discuss any topic in a peaceful and mindful way if accusations and personal attacks are avoided.

I can talk about the social justice work I do outside of school and why it helps others. Being informed about my own perspective can help me to keep calm during conversations if I am ever questioned. If I set up a conversation calmly and with an open mind, chances are that my relatives will be ready to hear what I have to say as well.

Everyone has different experiences in the world, and if they don’t share the same political views as I do, I have to remember that we do not come from the same background.

This holiday season, I will enjoy spending time with my extended family without fear of causing tension because it’s okay to talk about politics. If I execute these conversations correctly, my relationships with my aunts and uncles will be stronger as a result.

HIGHLIGHTING

23 OPINION DECEMBER 2023

Reversing the roles ERIK CHENG

A

s the holiday season rolls around, families scramble to prepare for the onslaught of holiday cheer and the extensive work of participating in holiday festivities.

Children eagerly wait for gifts to appear under a fir tree decorated with a miniature light show.

However, when breaking down the individual components of holiday preparations, there are often not many things for men in heterosexual couples to do, especially creative activities to prepare for the holidays.

In a study in the Journal of Consumer Research from 1990, authors Eileen Fischer and Stephen Arnold discuss the possible meaning behind the workload imbalance using claims from another researcher, David Cheal.

“Cheal discussed genderrelated patterns in gift giving, arguing that women are the primary gift givers because of their greater concern with showing love. Since men are

not as conditioned to need to perceive themselves as loving or caring, Cheal reasons gift giving will not offer them the same reinforcement for a desirable selfimage,” Fischer and Arnold wrote.

While Fischer and Arnold conducted their research in 1990, this scenario has remained in our 21st-century American society, where women consistently do much more than men during the holidays.

In contrast, Stephanie Coonz, director of research and public education for the Council on Contemporary Families, in an interview with JSTOR non-profit library, explained that in samesex couples, the workload is distributed more evenly and that “the real unevenness is in heterosexual couples.”

Often, this inequality in the distribution of labor not only leaves the women in heterosexual relationships swamped with work and stress but also leaves men with a social dilemma.

Men can choose to follow the status quo and sit to the side, throwing the values of compromise, sharing, and marriage equality to the side.

Or they can attempt to defy traditional gender roles and express themselves creatively.

The men who try to express themselves creatively during the holidays face jeers and strange

looks from peers. After all, they’re doing “women’s work.”

Society has long dictated that women are supposed to clean the house because “they are more mentally, physically and emotionally suited” for the job.

Even then, the logic behind the argument is flimsy at best.

Wouldn’t men be more suited to do the dirty work and deal with pots, pans, and dishes for holiday meals?

Furthermore, aren’t the more mental and emotional creative activities, such as gift-giving and decorating, utterly subjective?

The holidays are supposed to be time for family, fun, and enjoyment. Why limit ourselves to specific roles because of centuries-old beliefs about gender roles? Why not maximize our joy and participate in activities we prefer?

Ultimately, the choice lies with us as we celebrate our respective holidays. We could choose to adhere to our traditions and continue the custom of loading ourselves with extra stress. Or we could enjoy the holidays together, doing what we want to do however we want to do it.

After all, when the family sits at the table to enjoy a holiday meal, are we inviting everyone to judge us for how we celebrate? Or are we enjoying time with family and friends, how it should be?

DECEMBER 2023 OPINION 24

significantly more. This stems from many factors, including societal norms and the gendered domestic affordance perception hypothesis.

“When Jill enters the messy kitchen, she sees the dishes as ALESSANDRA TREMULIS to be washed, the floor as to be swept, the refrigerator as to be or some, the most restocked, the counter as to [be] wonderful time of the wiped, the recycling bin as to be year is actually the most taken out, the ripe bananas on stressful. While the holiday the counter as to be used up. season is regarded as one of the Jack, of course, sees that there most relaxing times to spend are dishes in the sink, that the with family and friends, if you’re a bananas are more brown than woman, it can be one of the most yellow, or that the refrigerator challenging times for any sort is empty. But these perceptions of relaxation. Women typically do not “tug” at him,” an article take on the roles of gift-getter,

by Tom McClelland and Paulina party planner, decorator, cleaner, Sliwa in the Philosophy and cook, and more to create the Phenomenological Research best holiday experience for those journal states. around her. Others should ensure Due to this difference in the women in their lives feel a perception McClelland and Sliwa little extra support around the describe, men and women can holiday season. view the other’s contribution to “Women say they have a work, such as chores, as less harder time relaxing during than what they might believe they the holidays and are more contributed. During the holiday likely to take on all of the season, it’s crucial to be aware of tasks associated with family perception differences to prevent celebrations, such as shopping, future disagreements on how cooking, and cleaning,” research much each partner contributes to from Greenberg Quinlan Rosner housework. states.

Since there is no neurological Women tend to take the lead explanation for why women on these matters. When the would choose to manage more, holiday season rolls around, it comes down to society’s idea women typically take on of gendered housework. This is

F

STEREOTYPES

Unwrapping the bias

the biggest issue regarding the delegation of work during the holiday season. It creates added stress which negatively affects women’s mental and physical health.

The unequal distribution of work may not apply to all households, and it certainly doesn’t. In the 21st century, gender stereotypes are still present.

Nonetheless, many families are adopting a shared responsibility over chores because of factors that contribute to divvying up the workload around the holidays.

Occupations are one of the better examples. Depending on the roles within a household, it might be easier for one person over another to do the majority of the holiday tasks. However, extra responsibilities shouldn't be assumed unless people want to do the work.

Helping with cleaning, cooking, and decorating shows that one is willing to help, not leaving dirty work up to others.

Otherwise, it would fall on the shoulders of women. Making sure everyone feels supported during the holiday season, even with small acts of service, is what truly makes it the most wonderful time of year.

25 FEATURES DECEMBER 2023

Art by Emma Yin

A

woman stands before the towering wall of razors at her local drugstore, her gaze fixed on two nearly identical options. One is sleek, adorned in shades of pink, and marketed as the ultimate "women's" razor. The other, sitting innocuously beside it, is a rugged, utilitarian-looking men's razor.

After glancing at the price tags, she chooses the latter. Her seemingly mundane choice reflects a larger phenomenon that has been lurking in the retail world for decades: gender-based pricing, also known as the “Pink Tax.” “The ‘Pink Tax’ is not an actual tax; rather, it refers to the practice of charging more for products marketed to women, which creates a pricing discrimination,” said Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, a sociology professor at Rollins College.

She co-authored the 2021 study titled "Beyond the Pink Tax: Gender-Based Pricing and Differentiation of Personal Care Products."

According to Gonzalez Guittar, gender-based pricing has garnered attention as “a glaring example of sexism in society.”

However, her research, along with other studies, reveals that more complex sociological factors are at play.

In 2018, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated the issue of gender-based pricing.

“These companies understand that women may be willing to pay more for certain attributes, like nicer scents, so they include them and charge accordingly,” said Alicia Cackley, the director of the GAO's Financial Markets team and a leading figure in the investigation.

According to Cackley, the price discrepancy for women's products in the GAO’s study “boiled down to consumer choice,” contrary to the assumption that companies target women due to blatant gender bias.

Gonzalez Guittar’s study arrived at a similar conclusion but took it a step further, exploring why consumers are willing to pay more for the same products.

After analyzing over 3,000 items, her team discovered that while many "women's" products carried a higher price tag compared to their "men's" counterparts, there were instances where prices were equal, and in some cases, products marketed toward men were even more expensive.

“I was surprised to find that shaving creams and gels were priced higher for men than women,” Gonzalez Guittar said.

According to Gonzalez Guittar, companies charge more for products aligned with consumers' gender expectations.

“We explained the upcharged shaving creams and gels in the same way that we could explain the Pink Tax; men are societally expected to shave their faces using shaving creams, so they’re charged more for it,” Gonzalez Guittar said.

Consistent with the GAO’s findings, Gonzalez Guittar explained that gender-based pricing is more prevalent in women's products because women face a broader spectrum of societal gender expectations.

DECEMBER 2023 FEATURES 26 “It even extends to how we tell women ‘you need to dye your hair’ or ‘you need to look a certain way and buy certain clothes,’” said Janine Rogan, the author of a book on the effects of gender-based pricing called “The Pink Tax.” This widespread conclusion has prompted action at both legislative and individual levels. In September 2022, California enaced a law prohibiting gender-based pricing, according to the California Legislative Women's Caucus. Rogan also underscores the power of individual choices, especially among women, in combatting gender-based pricing.

“The advice given to women is ‘we don't have as much wealth because we buy too many lattes’ or ‘shoes are too expensive,’ when in reality, we’re just directed to spend more money on the same items as men, so awareness is the first step,” Rogan said. “From there, women can look at what they're purchasing and choose to buy items that are unisex or even a men's razor, for example.”

When faced with a razor display, Rogan urges that one’s choice “signifies more than personal preference—it represents a step towards dismantling the quiet grip of gender-based pricing.”

"The advice given to women is ‘we don't have as much wealth because we buy too many lattes’ or ‘shoes are too expensive,’ when in reality, we’re just directed to spend more money on the same items as men."

JANINE ROGAN, AUTHOR OF "THE PINK TAX"

27 FEATURES DECEMBER 2023

The silent epidemic: Medical gaslighting of women ALANA WACKER

W

omen in the United States have some of the highest rates of death from avoidable causes compared to other wealthy countries according to the World Health Organization. In the healthcare field, trust is paramount. However, a concerning issue often lurks in the background: medical gaslighting.

According to the National Institute of Health, medical gaslighting constitutes a form of psychological manipulation, wherein healthcare providers dismiss patients' symptoms or concerns leaving patients feeling frustrated, unheard, and doubting their own judgment.

“This is a very underexplored, underrealized, under-reported entity and we have been facing it for eternity,” said Dr. Om Yadava, the CEO and Chief Cardiac Surgeon at the National Heart Institute of India.

Medical gaslighting can take various forms.

Symptoms may be downplayed, attributed to psychological causes, or outright dismissed.

“It’s kind of a psychological abuse or manipulation of the patient’s brain in such a fashion that they start doubting their integrity, their perception, their memories, and their sense of self,” Yadava

said. “It creeps in surreptitiously, it is very subtle. You start losing confidence in yourself and you cannot measure that on a scale.”

This can potentially lead patients to delay seeking care from medical professionals in the future for worsened conditions, and the emotional toll can result in anxiety, depression, and a loss of trust in the healthcare system.

As this is such a sensitive issue, many patients who have experienced this do not feel comfortable discussing their experiences. This can further the proliferation of gaslighting in healthcare as patients don’t know what warning signs to look out for.

“I hate to say it, but I have gaslit patients,” Yadava said. “I am a cardiac surgeon. I told the patient ‘No, it’s a little chest pain. You’re a 35-year-old woman, don't worry about it,’ and within four weeks that woman presented to our hospital with a heart attack.”

Such experiences have led numerous doctors, such as Yadava, to advocate for increased awareness and education on the subject.

According to the DC Journal, 72% of women reported that they’ve experienced gaslighting by a medical professional. This is heightened in marginalized

Art by Emma Yin

DECEMBER 2023 FEATURES 28

communities, which are disproportionately affected by medical gaslighting. People of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, those with disabilities, and women often encounter dismissive attitudes and suboptimal care. This intersection of bias and gaslighting can result in misdiagnoses and worse health outcomes.

“Due to this gaslighting, we do not give due cognizance to women’s symptoms,” Yadava said.

Addressing this issue presents challenges. Education is pivotal. Healthcare providers and patients must recognize the signs of gaslighting. Addressing systemic biases in healthcare is equally crucial, as they frequently perpetuate this problem. Prioritizing empathy and active listening is essential to creating an environment where patients feel comfortable sharing their concerns.

“We all know that women are underrepresented in the medical workforce,” Yadava said.

Efforts to combat medical gaslighting are underway. Some institutions offer cultural competence and sensitivity training for their staff. Patient advocacy groups provide resources and support while holding providers accountable for their actions.

As awareness grows, we must work toward a healthcare system that listens to and validates the experiences of all patients, regardless of their background or identity.

“It is such a complicated issue,” Yadava said.

“Once people know about it and what the signs you need to look for we can make progress in the right direction.”

72%

of women say they’ve experienced medical gaslighting.

October 2022 SHE Media Medical Gaslighting survey

17%

of women say they felt they have been treated differently based on their gender at the doctor's office "It's Only in Her Head": Gaslighting in Women's Health," Eglė Krištopaitytė, Health News

25 to 35%

of patients of color are less likely to receive appropriate treatments for blood clots.

"Association of Race/Ethnicity With Oral Anticoagulant Use in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation," Jama Cardiology

29 FEATURES DECEMBER 2023

B

Leaping over obstacles Dancers and parents speak about the struggles and costs of competitive dance FRANKLIN KUO

Photos by Emma Yin

ehind the beauty of competitive dance, the obstacles dancers face are often overlooked. With countless hours spent each week, as well as financial, physical, and mental tolls, dancers push through a troupe of these struggles in pursuit of their dreams.

Emilia Lee, a sophomore at Carlmont High School and a competitive dancer, encounters many of these challenges in her journey.

Lee dances at Liv Dance Arts (LDA), a professional dance studio in Belmont. LDA is undoubtedly one of the best in the Bay Area, with many of its students pursuing dance in college.

However, sacrifices need to be made by both the dancers and their families to be the best.

Even before stepping onto the dance floor, competitive dancers must pay for tuition, which covers technique classes and rehearsals. Aside from that, dancers need to pay for competition expenses. According to Dance Parent 101, which explains the financial costs of being a competitive dancer, those expenses start at around $1,500 and can even exceed $10,000 annually.

Furthermore, they must buy dance attire and other miscellaneous items, such as makeup, which can be expensive.

“For my daughter, one of the most expensive pieces of equipment she needs are pointe shoes, which cost around $100 to $150 and only last around a few weeks,” said Cholpon Nazarmatova, Lee’s mother.

DECEMBER 2023 FEATURES 30 Aside from the financial requirements of dance, the greatest demand for competitive dancers is their time, with competitive dancers training anywhere from six to 30 hours per week.

“For me, the biggest thing that I have to give up is my time, as I find that I spend around 20 hours a week dancing.

Usually, when I get home, I’m already exhausted,” said Ella Phun, a dancer at LDA and junior at Carlmont.

Other problems that these athletes run into are physical and mental challenges. Injuries are a common theme amongst dancers, and overuse leads to reccurring injuries or pains.

Many dancers face the same injuries as they go through the same repetitive motions for hours at a time, but it is something that is almost certainly unavoidable.

“Your back and hips will always hurt, and there’s a lot of bruising from jumping up and off the floor,” Lee said.

Besides needing to be physically tough to push through training, many performers struggle with mental obstacles, especially body image issues.

“In dance, you’re staring at yourself in the mirror the whole time. In ballet, you’re standing in front of a bar doing combinations. So it gets hard, especially if you’re being constantly corrected about your body,” Phun said.

Parents of these dancers have to be willing to sacrifice their time and money, and for some, that may be undesirable.

However, it isn’t all bad. For dancers who love the sport, there is much to appreciate. The beauty of dance and the satisfaction of winning, knowing all of your hard work paid off, are just a couple of things that make dancing worth the effort.

Dance not only fosters physical fitness, but also forges meaningful connections among its participants. For many, teammates and teachers at the studio become their second family whom they can rely on for all kinds of support.

“With some of my friends whose children aspire to be dancers, I bring them to competitions to show them what

Wake up, do hair and makeup, and pack competition bag

Leave for the competition

4 A.M.

5:45 A.M.

those events are like: how they have to be there all day and how chaotic the events are," Nazarmatova said. "But I also tell them that if their children truly love dance, it really has a lot of benefits. It teaches discipline, time management, and responsibility, but more importantly, it gives them a sense of identity and a support circle of friends whom they can always count on."

"Your back and hips will always hurt, and there's a lot of bruising from jumping up and off the floor."

EMILIA LEE, COMPETITIVE DANCER

Perform the dances

Continue competing and performing dances

Pack up, take pictures, say goodbye, and leave

8 A.M.

1:30 P.M.

8 P.M.

5 A.M.

6:30 A.M.

12 p.m.

6 P.M.

Eat breakfast

Arrive at the competition, unpack, stretch, and rehearse

Eat lunch

Awards are given out