Four Signs He's Not Committed to You

BY MARY CAMPBELL

Commitment means different things to different people. Maybe, you are looking for marriage, living together or being in a steady, monogamous relationship. And try as you may, you just can’t seem to get your guy to take things to the next level; you know, commit. Whether you’ve already invested just a few dates into this man, or weeks or months, you want to know if you’re wasting your time, right? Now you are looking for signs to decide if you should bail out or keep the fame of hope. Whether or not a man claims to be committed to you, there are certain actions that will tell you if he is or isn't. Here are four clear signs a man isn't committed to you.

1. He's inconsistent When he's around, the man you like might be attentive and interested. But then he disappears for days, and you're left feeling confused. A man who is interested and committed won't simply disappear for periods of time and comes back when it suits him and his schedule. If he's committed, he will make you a priority. That means he will check in with you even if he doesn't have time for a long discussion. If he's not pursuing you, he's not committed to you.

2. He doesn't mention you in any future plans If you've been dating a guy for a while, even casually, and he doesn't mention you in future plans, he's probably not committed to you. If he's planning a camping trip in a couple of months and doesn't ask you along, he probably doesn't expect to be seeing you then or he wants to keep his options open. A man who is committed to you wants you around, so he will work you into his plans. If he's going to a wedding in six might, he'll ask you to be his date.

3. He's vague about his life A man who isn't committed to you or your relationship, won't let you into his life. He'll be vague about where he's been and who he's been with. This might be because he simply doesn't want you in his life that much or has something to hide. If he's dating other women, he might not be open about these details. A man who is committed to you will want to include you in his life. He won't need to be pressed for details about what he's been doing because he will offer them freely. 4. He's not reliable A man who is committed to you will want you to know you can count on him no matter what. He will not be late or stand you up for dates. If he will be late or can't make it, he will let you know as soon as possible with a good reason. A man who isn't committed to you doesn't care about checking in with you if he can't make it. He might blow it off as no big deal. If he doesn't value your time and care about your feelings, he's not committed to you.

As a sidenote, new data from YouGov reveals that millennials (those aged 18 to 34, according to the survey) are actually more interested in the prospect of a relationship than older generations. The data revealed: •That millennials are far more likely to seek a committed relationship than those 34 and older •The inverse is also true, with individuals 55 and older saying they prefer the single life and have little interest in relationships •This data counteracts many stereotypical notions about millennials and the hookup culture of today's youth

If you're interested in a man, but he's not committed to you, you might be wasting your time. Looking at a man's actions will tell you everything you need to know about his level of commitment to you. Your move! Waste not another second on this guy if he’s not right for you. l

Use of Straighteners / continued from page 1 two hormonal activities in women. Specifically, the hormonal imbalance and exposure to excess progesterone and estrogen. Experts propose that chemicals cause the risk of developing uterine cancer in products that disrupt the endocrine, which alters hormonal actions.

Studies on Hair Straightening Products and Cancer In a recent study, women who frequently use hair straightening products were more likely to develop uterine cancer than others who did not. The frequency of use was defined as using hair straighteners more than four times in the last year. The studies conducted by Che Jung Chang et al. (2022) were published in the National Cancer Institute Journal. Their findings claim that using certain hair products containing specific chemicals was related to uterine cancer. These substances, discovered to be carcinogenic, have been found in straighteners and dyes used in hair products, thereby supporting the connection between hair product use and cancer development. In another study in 2019, researchers found a link between the use of hair relaxers and permanent hair dye to a higher risk of breast cancer. And the chances were more than six times higher for Black women. Furthermore, adolescents that used hair relaxers with the chemicals had a higher rate of developing breast cancer, while adult women had a higher rate of developing ovarian cancer.

Usage of Hair Products in the USA In the United States, income from the hair care segment in 2022 is over US$ 12 billion, and more than half of women use hair products like permanent hair dyes. The study by Che Jung-Chang et al. investigated the influence of hair product use on uterine cancer. They focused on the age-related hazard of uterine cancer among racially and ethnically diverse groups in the United States. Interestingly, the researchers observed a higher uterine cancer rate among women who frequently used hair straighteners. On the other hand, they observed almost non-existent cases of uterine cancer among those that used other hair products like dyes, bleach, highlights, and hair permanents. The findings support existing studies that linked hair straighteners to an increased risk of other female hormone-related cancers. As expected, the report increased anxiety over chemical exposure through hair straighteners more than other personal care products.

How It Works During the processing of natural hair, straighteners used may cause scalp burns and injuries, which hastens the possible absorption of the chemicals through the scalp. Generally, the scalp absorbs chemicals more than other skin surfaces like the palm, forearm, and abdomen. In another category of hair product users, using flat irons or blow dryers during straightening treatments potentially release or breaks down chemicals while applying heat to the products. This process potentially exposes users to the absorption of higher hazardous chemicals.

Risk Factors for Users of Hair Straighteners Studies have shown over time that there is a link between physical activity, decreased sex steroid hormones, and less chronic inflammation. Researchers observed a strong relationship between women with low physical activity and uterine cancer compared with women with a high level of physical activity. However, additional studies are required to understand the exact interplay between physical activity, hair product use, and uterine cancer.

continued on page 21

Use of Straighteners / continued from page 20 Presently, there are no apparent differences in the threat ratio between ethnic and racial groups. However, many African American and Black women's health can be adversely affected by straightener usage because of early use from a young age, the frequency of usage, and the application of harsher chemical formulations than other ethnicities or races.

The Aftermath of the Hair Product Findings In a recent development, NBC News reports that four Black women filed federal lawsuits against big brands like L'Oréal and other companies. Their complainants claim that the companies' hair products contained chemicals that made them develop uterine cancer or, in some cases, experience other severe health effects. The lawsuit was filed after the National Institutes of Health study was released. Women in the research reported frequently using hair straightening products, which caused them to develop uterine cancer compared to those who did not. Three women in the lawsuit had reportedly undergone medical procedures to remove their wombs or uterus. One of the complainants had started relaxing her hair as a pre-teen and only stopped when she was in her early 40s, more than two decades later. Thus far, the plaintiff has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy for uterine cancer, remitted for a brief period, and then developed cancer in her abdomen and liver. Another plaintiff shares that the hair straighteners she used in her teenage years and early adulthood, between (1980-2015), caused her to develop both uterine and breast cancer. The breast cancer manifested in her forties, which she treated with chemotherapy, and then she had a double mastectomy two years later to remove her breasts surgically. Last year, in 2021, she developed uterine cancer and underwent a hysterectomy, six months of chemotherapy, and radiation. One common theme among all the women was the unawareness that hair relaxers could predispose them to an increased risk of cancer. They claim that nothing on the products' packaging indicated that the products could cause them to develop fibroids, breast, or uterine cancer. Existing studies have strongly shown a possibility that the chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and other metals may release formaldehyde when heated. The Environmental Protection Agency of the United States classified the chemical substance formaldehyde as a potential cancer-causing agent when exposure to it is high and prolonged such as constant use of hair relaxers and application of heat. Furthermore, studies show that more than 1.5% of women who never used relaxers would likely develop uterine cancer later in life by age 70. In comparison, regular users have more than 4% increased risks that can manifest at an earlier age.

Reasons Women Use Hair Straighteners or Relaxers The victims cited societal pressure as one of the factors that caused them to use chemical hair straighteners. They gave explanations like the need to conform to work standards, the need to wear straight hair, need to meet beauty standards. Experts say other factors like the need to express themselves meet Eurocentric beauty standards and a desire for flexibility in changing hairstyles. Research also indicates that some Black and Latina women felt socially pressured to wear a hairstyle that reduces discrimination and subtle aggression in workplaces. According to a study by Michigan State University (2020), over 70% of Black women revealed they altered their natural hair to meet the expectations of an economically and socially successful person. Need for More Research Additional investigations to confirm the findings in different populations are needed. Primarily among African American or Black women because of the regular practice of straightener use. as well as to evaluate the potential contribution of hair products to health disparities in uterine cancer. There is also a need for additional studies to identify the chemical ingredients that might increase the rates. Experts insist that the findings must be addressed due to the widespread use of hair products and the rising cases of uterine cancer. Public health needs to reduce the incidence of uterine cancer. The civil rights lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit insist that one of the objectives of the case is to raise awareness of the product's dangers. Secondly, they want them removed from store shelves to protect innocent lives. They also assert that informing Black and brown parents to discontinue trying to conform to European-driven beauty standards is essential. And to desist from using chemicals to straighten their hair at the expense of destroying their uterus and the chance of having babies, not to mention the adverse health effect.l

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22 New Data Expands on Why Women Have a Greater Risk of Injury in Car Crashes

BY KEITH BARRY CONSUMERREPORTS.COM

Women are more likely than men to be injured in car crashes, and a new report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) exposes additional reasons beyond the lack of a crash test dummy that represents an average female body— including that men tend to drive heavier vehicles, and are more likely to cause front-to-rear crashes. The findings from the insurance industry-backed safety organization also offers some good news for car buyers: Both men and women can benefit from choosing a car that performs better in certain crash tests, and advanced safety features might help reduce injury disparities between men and women. One technology in particular, automatic emergency braking (AEB) addresses front to rear crashes, a crash scenario in which women are more likely to be injured. Recent studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have shown that a female driver or front passenger who is wearing her seat belt is 17 percent more likely than a male to be killed when a crash takes place, and a study from the University of Virginia showed that a female occupant’s odds of being injured in a frontal crash are 73 percent greater than the odds for a male occupant. CR and others have drawn attention to this disparity, and lawmakers have called on the NHTSA to address the issues that may lead to inequality in vehicle injuries and fatalities. One hypothesis is that the lack of crash test dummies that adequately represent the average female body leads automakers to design vehicles targeted to protect the so-called 50th percentile male, currently represented by a 171-pound, 5-foot-9-inch dummy that’s used in the majority of crash tests. “Everyone who rides in a car has benefited from the improvements identified by crash testing,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at CR’s Auto Test Center. “But once the major areas for crash protection have been improved upon, the more granular differences—such as the gender disparities—become more evident as some of the next areas to focus research.” The IIHS examined crash data in detail and found that both the types of vehicles driven by women and the fact that male drivers are more likely to cause a crash can exacerbate the risk of injury. For example, although men and women had about an equal proportion of crashes in minivans and SUVs, more than 20 percent of crashes involving men took place in pickups, compared with less than 5 percent of women. Within the vehicle classes, the IIHS also reports that men tended to crash in heavier vehicles, which can offer more protection in a crash. “The numbers indicate that women more often drive smaller, lighter cars and that they’re more likely than men to be driving the struck vehicle in side-impact and front-into-rear crashes,” Jessica Jermakian, IIHS’ vice president of vehicle research, said in a statement. According to the IIHS, the driver of the striking vehicle is at lower risk of injury than the driver of the struck vehicle in those kinds of crashes. This is especially concerning considering that many popular pickup trucks lack standard advanced safety features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), which can help prevent or reduce the severity of the kind of front-to-rear crashes that are more likely to injure women. A prior study from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI)—an affiliate of IIHS—found that vehicles equipped with AEB, forward collision warning (FCW), and lane-departure warning (LDW) can reduce bodily injury insurance claims by 16 percent. “AEB is the type of feature you want not only on your own car but on everyone’s car around you,” says Stockburger. “This is why CR factors both crash protection ratings and the availability of advanced crash avoidance technologies into the overall score of the vehicles we test.”

The results also suggest that further research is necessary to determine how to prevent the specific injuries that women are more susceptible to, and that more work is needed to improve the crashworthiness of smaller vehicles. A woman in a car with a Good crash test rating might be safer than a woman in a car with a Marginal or Poor rating—but depending on injury type, vehicle type, and crash type, she still may not be as safe as a man in a car with a Good rating. In addition, it shows the need for the NHTSA to update its outdated new car assessment program (NCAP), says Emily Thomas, Ph.D., automotive safety engineer at CR. “Consumer information programs like NHTSA’s NCAP and IIHS’s crash tests are what have provided us with the safety benefit we see right now. IIHS is already making next steps. It’s time for NHTSA to make their move.”l

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