In a world where beauty standards are increasingly influenced by social media and digital interactions, body dysmorphia — a mental health condition marked by an obsessive focus on perceived physical flaws — is becoming more prevalent. This condition affects around 200,000 Americans annually, presenting not only a psychological challenge but also a moral one for cosmetic surgery practitioners.

Dr. David Hill, a renowned plastic surgeon and co-founder of Fulcrum Aesthetics in Chicago, understands these challenges intimately. He emphasizes the importance of ethical practice in the face of rising demands for cosmetic enhancements fueled by unrealistic beauty standards. “In this profession, we sometimes meet patients whose expectations aren’t just high — they’re unattainable. It’s crucial to recognize when to say no,” Dr. Hill explains.

The impact of social media on body image is profound. A 2023 study in the medical journal  Clinics in Dermatology highlighted how constant exposure to idealized images can skew perception and increase dissatisfaction with one’s own body. The study underscores the societal shift in beauty perceptions, accelerated by digital platforms where users frequently scrutinize their virtual appearances.

Celebrity disclosures, like Megan Fox’s open discussion of her struggles with body dysmorphia, help destigmatize the condition and encourage others to seek help. Fulcrum Aesthetics supports this movement by implementing rigorous screening processes to identify potential psychological issues before any procedures. Brittony Croasdell, Nurse Practitioner and Fulcrum co-founder, notes, “We often encounter more cases of body dysmorphia than some psychiatric practices. It’s essential to guide these patients towards the right support.”

Dr. Hill is candid about the responsibilities that come with his role: “If I sense that a patient’s expectations from surgery are unrealistic, I’m upfront about not being the right surgeon for them. It’s about more than just aesthetics; it’s about mental health.”

At Fulcrum Aesthetics, every procedure, whether surgical or non-surgical, is conducted with the highest ethical standards. The clinic’s approach is not just about enhancing beauty but also about fostering a healthy self-image and educating patients on realistic outcomes.

Through their commitment to ethical practice and patient education, Dr. Hill and his team at Fulcrum Aesthetics are setting a standard in cosmetic surgery, ensuring that each patient receives care that respects both their physical and psychological well-being.

The post Navigating beauty and reality: Fulcrum Aesthetics’ ethical approach to cosmetic surgery appeared first on Digital Journal.

This is a view expressed by Marin Cristian-Ovidiu, the CEO of OnlineGames.io, who discusses with Digital Journal why keen gamers should consider running as part of their regular routine.

Running, Cristian-Ovidiu explains, often considered a quintessential endurance exercise, has been proven to offer a wealth of benefits that can directly translate to enhanced gaming performance. By engaging in this aerobic exercise, gamers can unlock a level of focus, reflexes, and overall gameplay skills that were previously unattainable.

The Cognitive Benefits

On a cognitive level, Cristian-Ovidiu says regular running has been shown to improve attention, decision-making, and reaction time–all critical components of successful gaming.

Expanding on this, Cristian-Ovidiu notes: “When you engage in sustained aerobic exercise, your brain is flooded with neurotransmitters that enhance neural connectivity and cognitive flexibility. This, in turn, allows gamers to process information more quickly, anticipate their opponent’s moves, and make split-second decisions with greater precision.”

The Physiological Benefits

Physiologically, running strengthens the cardiovascular system, enhancing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, adds Cristian-Ovidiu. Improved cardiovascular fitness means your brain and body are working in perfect harmony, allowing you to maintain peak performance for longer periods.

Gamers who incorporate running into their routine will experience increased physical endurance, reduced fatigue, and a heightened ability to stay focused and alert throughout intense gaming sessions.

Elevate Your Gaming Experience

The message is clear, Cristian-Ovidiu details: if you’re a gamer seeking to take your skills to the next level, running should be an integral part of your practice regimen.

Cristian-Ovidiu notes: “By giving your physical health the same importance as your gaming skills, you’ll unlock a level of performance that was previously unattainable. So lace up your running shoes, hit the pavement, and get ready to dominate the virtual world like never before.”

The post Gamers are seeking to elevate their skills by running appeared first on Digital Journal.

Not every expansion into the U.S. market is a success story. For example, Pie Face opened several locations in New York City in 2011. But the chain and its Australian savory meat pies didn’t last. By 2014, nearly all the New York franchises had shut down. Pie Face enthusiasts now have to go to the restaurant’s home country to taste their smiley-faced pastries.

Restaurant chains appear to have a higher success rate when it comes to expanding into the U.S. market and beyond when they sell one menu item in particular: chicken. The love of fried chicken endures beyond borders, with restaurant-goers seeking out international takes on the classic dish. Or, at least in the case of one Guatemalan chain, a nostalgic taste of home.

New Yorkers and Californians are closest to the foreign food chains that made this list. However, there are several international restaurants located throughout the United States. Stacker compiled a list of 10 restaurant chains that started abroad and expanded into the U.S. market. See how many you’re able to try in a neighborhood near you.

S3studio // Getty Images

Jollibee

The Philippines’ largest fast-food chain has been growing outside its home market for decades. And recently, the fast-food giant ramped up its expansion across North America. Jollibee first expanded into the U.S. market in 1998 with a restaurant in Daly City, California.

Now, the chain has 72 locations across the country, with plans to open 500 more stores in North America before the end of the decade. The Manila-based restaurant chain is best known for its bright red, anthropomorphic bee mascot and signature fried chicken. Aside from its “Chickenjoy” fried chicken, the chain brings a taste of its home country with menu items such as adobo rice, palabok fiesta noodles, and ube pie.

Robert Alexander // Getty Images

Pret A Manger

With a name like “Pret A Manger,” you’d be forgiven for assuming that the fast-casual restaurant’s roots are French. But, believe it or not, Pret originates from London. New Yorkers are probably the most familiar with the restaurant’s sandwiches, wraps, and organic coffee; the first location to open outside of London was in New York City on Broad Street in 2000.

Today, the company manages 58 stores throughout the U.S. East Coast, with a handful of other locations in Los Angeles and Chicago. The chain plans to expand to more than 300 locations across the U.S. by 2029.

Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group // Getty Images

Le Pain Quotidien

Another French-titled restaurant with franchised restaurants in New York City is Le Pain Quotidien, which translates to “the daily bread.” A young chef named Alan Coumont founded the first restaurant in 1990 in Brussels. Coumount wasn’t satisfied with the quality of bread he could buy locally, so he started making and selling his own.

There are more than 50 locations in the United States, with over half of them in New York City. If you’re not in the Big Apple, you can also sample the bakery’s fresh loaves, sandwiches, and pastries in the metro areas of Washington D.C., Miami, and Los Angeles.

Lance McMillan/Toronto Star // Getty Images

Tim Hortons

The Canadian coffee and donut chain Tim Hortons shares its name with its professional hockey-playing founder. The company started in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario. But Brazilian investment firm 3G Capital purchased the chain in 2014.

You can find Tim Hortons across the East Coast and the Midwest, with most stores located in Ohio, Michigan, and New York. Try a “Double Double” coffee—named for its two creams and two sugars—and an order of its bite-sized Timbits donuts to get the quintessential taste of this chain restaurant. As of February 2024, there are about 630 Tim Hortons in the U.S., but the plan is to grow that number to 1,000 by 2028.

Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket // Getty Images

Pollo Campero

Since 2002, Americans have enjoyed a little taste of Central American cooking at Pollo Campero. The first Pollo Campero restaurant opened in Guatemala in 1971, but the company has since expanded to countries like El Salvador and Mexico. California has the most locations in the United States, but the chain restaurant can be found across both coasts.

The restaurant says the U.S. stores use the same recipe for its famous fried chicken as its Guatemalan locations. But Pollo Campero purists swear the chicken in its home country tastes better. Soon, more Americans will be able to try Pollo Campero, as the chain plans to grow from 80 locations to 250 stateside by 2026.

Glenn Koenig/Los Angeles Times // Getty Images

Beard Papa’s

In 1999, a small bakery in Osaka, Japan, began baking cream puff pastries that mimicked the fluffy, white beard of the store’s owner. That recipe would soon spread to 15 countries and territories outside Japan, including Australia, China, and the United States. It first came to the U.S. in 2004.

Pastry lovers can find Beard Papa’s offerings at bakeries in New York, California, Texas, Colorado, and several other states. Customers can build their own customized puff pastry by choosing a shell and desired filling. As of April 2024, five new Beard Papa’s locations have arrived in the U.S.

Mallika Home Studio // Shutterstock

TKK Fried Chicken

TKK Fried Chicken hails from Taipei, Taiwan, with the first restaurant opening in the city’s Wanhua district in 1974. TKK Fried Chicken describes its menu as a blend of Eastern flavors and Western cooking techniques. For example, the chefs fry their chicken in soybean oil, rather than the vegetable or peanut oil favored by Americans.

In 2018, TKK joined forces with American company Kung Fu Tea to open a joint restaurant in New York City. From there, the partnership spread to more locations including Texas, Michigan, and Washington D.C. According to the company’s website, there are at least five more locations in the works.

Manuela Durson // Shutterstock

El Pollo Loco

In 1975, Juan Francisco Ochoa launched the first El Pollo Loco in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico. Ochoa used the citrus marinade recipe that his family had cooked for generations. That recipe was a hit, and five years later, he brought his formula for success to his first American restaurant on Alvarado Street in Los Angeles. In 1983, Ochoa sold the American-based restaurants to Denny’s.

Today, the U.S. company has 475 locations, with U.S. outposts in California, Texas, and Louisiana. The company’s most famous former employee is almost certainly Brad Pitt, who dressed up as the restaurant’s chicken mascot before his acting career took off in the late 1980s.

Koichi Kamoshida // Getty Images

Yashinova

Yashinova is by far the oldest restaurant chain on this list. It got its start in the Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo in 1899. Over 70 years later, the chain launched its first American franchise in Denver before expanding into Los Angeles in 1979.

Today, there are more than 100 franchised Yashinova restaurants across California selling the chain’s signature beef bowls with rice. More Americans may soon get the chance to try the fast-casual food inspired by Japanese flavors—the chain intends to franchise new U.S. locations outside of California as of 2025.

Nigel Kirby/Loop Images/Universal Images Group // Getty Images

Nando’s

The beloved South African restaurant, known for its spicy, marinated chicken, originated in Johannesburg in 1987. The signature taste of Nando’s comes from its use of the piri piri pepper, which is much hotter than a jalapeño, but not as hot as a habanero.

In 2008, Nando’s opened its first U.S. location in Washington D.C.’s Chinatown neighborhood. Many more restaurants have opened up since, and now there are Nando’s locations from Georgia to Maryland. Order the PERi-PERi Chicken for the most popular taste of Nando’s.

Story editing by Chris Compendio. Copy editing by Meg Shields. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.

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The trend is that young people are now tightening their wallets and may need extra incentive to spend. In relation to this, despite recent reports about improving economic conditions, just 30 percent of the consumers surveyed are optimistic about where the economy is headed relative to a year ago.

Gen Z college students have a more pessimistic view of the economy with just 22 percent stating they’re optimistic about the future of the economy while 71 percent plan to actively stretch their budgets and seek discounts.

When asked how the current economy has changed their spending habits, groceries and mobile phone/wireless were the only two categories where Gen Z is spending more than they have in the past. Take out/food delivery, gaming, electronics, and online news experienced the greatest pullback in spending, with 36 percent or more of Gen Z saying they are spending less in these categories.

The survey also explored the role that exclusive offers and rewards play in driving shopping behaviour. Respondents included a total of 1,761 people aged 18 to 26. The report was fielded between March 1 and March 14, 2024.

GenZ college students reported they research exclusive brand discounts before making a purchase, indicating that brands that invest in this approach will generate revenue growth.

In addition, 86 percent of college students and 69 percent of GenZ overall indicated an exclusive offer would increase the likelihood of a purchase. Exclusive offers outperformed other tactics to drive purchasing such as: buy-now-pay-later financing, longer return times, and better customer service. 

The number one way in which Gen Z is choosing their preferred brands is through social media with 68 percent of Gen Z and 77 percent of Gen Z college students learning about a new brand through platforms such as Instagram, Tiktok and Snapchat.

Gen Z also relies heavily on the recommendations from people in their respective communities with nearly half of Gen Z college students hearing about new brands through a recommendation from a friend or family member.

In terms of brand loyalty, 29 percent of Gen Z and 40 percent of Gen Z college students said they would switch their loyalty from one brand to another, if they were given an exclusive discount.

The post Too niche: New analysis of GenZ spending habits appeared first on Digital Journal.

Tauruses are known for their practicality, earthy sensibilities, and appreciation for quality. If you want to surprise your favorite down-to-earth Taurus with a thoughtful and practical gift, you’ve come to the right place. From stylish accessories to cozy home essentials, the gifts in this list will delight the Taurus in your life and complement their distinctive personality. Let’s dive in and discover the best present for your Taurus loved ones.

1. Navi: Dial into Taurus season

Get ready to upgrade your Taurus’ tech this spring through the best phone deals with a little help from Navi. A Taurus’s phone is their daily companion and productivity powerhouse, and it should be as quick and efficient as they are. With the phones and deals that Navi can help you find, your Taurus will get the most out of cutting-edge features, sleek designs, and plans that will leave them buzzing with excitement. 

From budget-friendly options to the latest models, Navi can help you find options that cater to every tech aficionado. They’ll breeze through important work calls with clear connections and capture impeccable photos with the latest in mobile photography. 

Navi’s deal finder is here to help take your Taurus friend’s technological experience to the next level, and these spectacular phone deals are your Taurus’ passport to a tech-savvy season.

2. MVMT: Timeless accessories for every occasion 

Let your favorite Taurus know you really get their style with a sleek and sophisticated timepiece from MVMT. Renowned for their impeccable designs and craftsmanship, MVMT men’s watches are a go-to accessory for every occasion. Whether your Taurus friend is heading to a business meeting, a casual outing, or a special event, an MVMT watch adds a touch of elegance and refinement to their thoughtfully chosen ensemble. 

From classic leather straps to durable metal bands, MVMT offers timeless accessories your Taurus will cherish for years to come. Treat your favorite Taurus to a gift they’ll treasure and enjoy wearing day after day with a versatile watch from MVMT.

3. Stoggles: Stylish and safe

Wearing protective eyewear doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style, and Stoggles prescription safety glasses are here to make your eyewear dreams come true. Using fashion-forward designs with high-quality materials, Stoggles gives Tauruses a blend of safety and aesthetics for work and play. 

These glasses feature impact-resistant lenses and durable frames, providing reliable protection against dust, debris, and other hazards in various environments. If your Taurus friend works in a workshop, lab, or construction site or enjoys hobbies like woodworking or DIY projects, Stoggles glasses offer fashionable peace of mind.

Stoggles prescription safety glasses come in a wide range of styles and colors to suit every taste and preference. From sleek and modern frames to retro-inspired aviators, there’s a pair of Stoggles to match any Taurus’s personal style. Finally, the option to add prescription lenses makes these glasses an even more thoughtful gift for Tauruses who require corrective eyewear. 

With Stoggles, your favorite Taurus can stay protected without sacrificing their sense of fashion or individuality.

4. Tumble: Cozy and chic comfort

Transforming a space into a cozy retreat has never been easier, thanks to Tumble washable rugs. These trendy rugs offer up comfort and convenience, making them a welcome present for Tauruses who value aesthetics and functionality in their decor. 

Tumble rugs are comfortable underfoot and durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, a combination of smart and soft that echoes the spirit of your beloved Taurus. These rugs add coziness and texture to any space, creating a welcoming ambiance in their living room, bedroom, or any high-traffic areas.

Tumble washable rugs’s easy-care design puts them at the front of the pack, making them a practical choice for busy Tauruses. Unlike traditional rugs that require professional cleaning or delicate handling, Tumble rugs can be easily tossed into the washing machine for hassle-free cleaning. 

With a quick spin in the washer and dryer, these rugs come out looking fresh, ready to be enjoyed again and again. Tauruses can rest assured knowing their space remains clean and comfortable without the hassle of labor-intensive rug maintenance.

5. Snif: Luxuriously indulgent treats

Usher your Taurus into a world of decadence and delight with Snif’s luxurious gourmand perfume. Inspired by the scent of freshly baked pastries, this fragrance is an ode to the golden, flaky pastry guaranteed to end up leaving crumbs on your chest, lap, and floor. 

With notes of croissant accord, wild berry jam, blackcurrant, toasted vanilla, tonka bean, and sandalwood, this perfume captures the irresistible aroma of a warm, buttery treat straight from the oven.

Imagine the scent of flaky layers of pastry melding with sweet and tangy berry jam, accented by hints of toasted vanilla and rich tonka bean. Then, the addition of sandalwood adds depth and warmth, creating a scent that is both comforting and indulgent. 

Indulge your Taurus’ senses and treat them to the delicious experience of Snif’s gourmand perfume. With its mouth-watering scent, this fragrance is sure to become a beloved addition to their extensive perfume collection.

6. DEINDE: Soothing bio-based skincare

To celebrate your Taurus loved one, give them the gift of moisturized, firm skin with products from the DEINDE skincare line. Truly revolutionary, DEINDE’s serum, cleanser, and face stick make up the first skincare line to target inflammaging. Inflammaging is the chronic, low-level inflammation that can dull skin — and it’s the root cause of aging. Some of the signs of Inflammaging include fine lines, dryness, and unevenness in skin tone and texture

Thanks to the products in DEINDE’s line, you can help your Taurus protect their skin against the environmental aggressors that cause inflammaging and boost their skin’s natural resilience. Featuring ingredients such as Naringenin, squalane, ceramides, and allantoin, DEINDE’s products are designed to promote sustained skin health. After just four weeks, 100% of serum users reported healthier and more supple skin. 

Speaking of sustainability, DEINDE is also changing the skincare game with its commitment to caring for our planet. Their products feature biotech ingredients, which ensure precision dosage, consistent purity, and high potency for optimal and safe performance. These ingredients also help cut down DEINDE’s environmental footprint from plant cultivation and fossil-fuel-derived ingredients. 

Give your Taurus friend or family member a gift for their skin and a gift for the plant with products from DEINDE’s innovative skincare line.

7. AvantStay: Relaxing getaways

If a birthday getaway is on the calendar, look no further than AvantStay’s Port Aransas vacation rentals. With AvantStay, booking your next luxury retreat is a breeze. Browse through a wide selection of decadent vacation rentals in Port Aransas, Texas, and find the ideal accommodation for your group’s needs. 

If Texas isn’t your Taurus’s speed, don’t sweat it. From expansive beachfront homes to charming cottages, AvantStay offers options across the country to accommodate groups of all sizes and budgets.

As a vacation rental company designed specifically for groups, their dedicated team of vacation rental experts goes above and beyond to make sure your trip is as relaxing and stress-free as possible. With their comprehensive vacation rental management services, you can trust that your property is in good hands, whether you’re renting out your home or booking a stay.

8. Letterfolk: Warm welcomes

Your beloved Taurus deserves the warmest of welcomes with a personalized Letterfolk doormat for their entryway or porch. These charming and customizable mats add a touch of personality to any doorstep, and they serve as a practical and thoughtful gift that your Taurus friend will appreciate every time they come home. Letterfolk doormats are built to withstand daily wear and tear while adding a touch of rustic charm to any entryway, appealing to Taurus’s dueling natures of sensibility and indulgence.

What sets Letterfolk doormats apart is their customizable nature, allowing you to create a unique and personalized greeting for your Taurus friend. Whether you choose to feature their family name, a meaningful quote, or a whimsical message, these doormats offer endless possibilities for customization. 

Plus, with their easy washability, Letterfolk mats provide the functionality Taurus craves while ensuring your loved one’s house remains inviting and safe for guests.

9. Editorialist: Chic carryall recommendations

Give your Taurus friend an accessory worthy of their exquisite tastes: one of the best designer bags recommended by Editorialist. Through a curated selection of enduring trends and timeless classics, Editorialist provides options for chic bags that are sure to make a statement. Whether your Taurus pal prefers a sleek crossbody, a structured tote, or a trendy clutch, Editorialist has a designer bag recommendation to complement their well-honed sense of style.

Editorialist is committed to offering suggestions from only the highest-quality brands that will stand the test of time. From iconic fashion houses to new classics, Editorialist showcases a diverse range of designs, ensuring every Taurus can find the ideal bag to elevate their ensemble. 

10. RotopaX: Adventure essentials

Set your Taurus up for success on their next outdoor adventure with the RotopaX jerry can. Taurus understands the importance of being fully prepared when rugged exploration and off-road travel enter the chat. Thankfully, this durable and reliable container is an essential accessory for any Taurus with a thirst for adventure. 

RotopaX’s jerry can’s high-quality materials and secure locking mechanism ensure safe and hassle-free transport of fuel, water, or other liquids during your outdoor excursions. Still, what sets the RotopaX jerry can apart is its innovative design. With its construction and stackability, you can easily customize your fuel storage setup to meet your specific requirements. 

This jerry can is also built to withstand the rigors of outdoor travel and extreme conditions. From rugged mountain trails to remote desert landscapes, the RotopaX jerry can will endure the toughest environments and keep their fuel accessible when they need it most. 

11. FUNBOY: Fun in the sun

Elevate Taurus’s poolside experience with FUNBOY pool floats, the ultimate accessory for leisurely days under the sun. Designed with the coziness Taurus needs to truly relax, these luxurious floats blend relaxation, trendiness, and indulgence for Tauruses who love to soak up the sun. 

From oversized swans to sleek loungers, each float is made from durable materials with colors and eye-catching patterns that are sure to turn heads. Plus, with thoughtful details like built-in cup holders and comfortable headrests, FUNBOY floats offer unmatched comfort and convenience for all-day lounging. 

Grab your favorite inflatable, soak up the sun, and indulge in leisurely days with your Taurus friend and their newfound floating partner in crime.

12. Transfer master: Health, wealth, and happiness

Taurus always prioritizes comfort and care, but it’s never more important than when their health enters the picture. The Transfer Master home hospital bed is an essential investment to offer Tauruses the support and relaxation they need during times of recuperation and recovery, all while reflecting their values of taste and refinement. 

With adjustable positioning, as well as options for side rails and mattress firmness, Tauruses can personalize their bed to suit their needs and preferences. Meanwhile, their subtle designs can blend into any existing bedroom set, so Taurus can look out for their health without sacrificing style. 

If they’re recovering from surgery, managing a chronic illness, or simply in need of extra support, Transfer Master beds offer the ideal combination of comfort and functionality for Tauruses on the road to healing.

13. Pepper home: A personalized touch

Upgrade your Taurus friend’s decor with a personalized touch from Pepper Home custom curtains. Designed to add style and personality to any space, these bespoke curtains give Tauruses the opportunity to express their aesthetic and create a cozy home that reflects their love of serenity. 

With a wide range of fabric choices, colors, and patterns to choose from, Tauruses can create a tailored look that perfectly complements their aesthetic and personal taste. From luxurious drapes to sleek and modern panels, each curtain is meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of design and durability — even a Taurus’s.

14. Scarpa: Reach new heights

For Taureans seeking to conquer new challenges and explore the great outdoors, Scarpa climbing shoes are about to become their go-to companions. With superior grip, stability, and support, Scarpa climbing shoes provide Tauruses with the confidence and agility they need to navigate challenging landscapes and push their limits.

Designed for durability, performance, and comfort, these shoes are essential for tackling rugged terrain and reaching new heights on climbing walls or rocky trails. You know how stubborn a Taurus can be when they want to reach a new goal — and these sidekicks are exactly how they can summit the next mountain. Rely on Scarpa climbing shoes to provide the support and traction Taurus needs to reach new heights of adventure.

15. IKEA: Savor the moment

Indulge in the simple pleasure of savoring a soothing cup of tea with a beautifully crafted IKEA teapot. Taurus loves their relaxation rituals, and a gift like this shows just how much you’ve been paying attention. 

When they’re enjoying a moment of solitude or hosting a cozy gathering with loved ones, a teapot adds an elegant touch to any tea-drinking experience that Taurus can appreciate. With its timeless design and functional features, such as built-in infusers or heat-retaining properties, a teapot helps Tauruses brew and serve their favorite teas with ease.

A gift they can depend on

Finding the perfect gift for your favorite dependable Taurus is a breeze with these 15 practical and thoughtful ideas. Each item is sure to bring joy and delight to your Taurus friend’s life. So, go ahead and spoil them rotten. After all, you know how much this wonderful, stubborn, decadent sign deserves it.

The post 15 practical gifts for your favorite down-to-earth Taurus appeared first on Digital Journal.

Despite all appearances that American society is moving swiftly toward gender equality, the amount of time women spend on unpaid housework compared to men remains distinctly unequal. On an average day, women spend nearly 40% more time on unpaid caregiving and housework than men, according to an analysis of 2018 data by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, published in 2020.

Why have such gender divides persisted? Hampr analyzed data from the American Time Use Survey, Gallup, and the Pew Research Center and used historical and academic research to get the inside scoop on the gender housework gap. It’s worth noting the majority of existing data and research on the gender housework gaps focus on dynamics between women and men, and little information on the subject exists regarding queer and gender nonconforming people. Additionally, most studies have historically focused on the gender gap between white men and women, and more research is needed to determine how the gender housework gap varies based on race and more expansive gender identities.

Previous studies, however, have shown that expectations around housework and caregiving responsibilities negatively affect women’s earning power. For one, many women work less or need to take on lower-paying, more flexible jobs to attend to unpaid caregiving responsibilities—a move that reduces their wages.

Another major factor is the lost wages and career momentum many women face when they go on parental leave. Racial discrimination, as well as bias against LGBTQ+ and workers with disabilities, further complicates the gender pay gap.

Meanwhile, research shows that men benefit financially from women taking care of domestic responsibilities, while women’s salaries suffer. Researchers have suggested that reducing women’s involvement in housework and caretaking could be an important factor in closing the gender pay gap. However, women who outearn their husbands still spend more time on housework and childcare than their male partners.

Hampr

More advanced technology doesn’t mean less time spent on housework

It’s difficult to pin down the origins of ideas about traditional gender roles and “women’s work”—they are seemingly organizational structures that have existed forever. Asked to point to a specific era defined by these gender roles and norms, many people would single out the 1950s and ’60s, a time collectively remembered as the golden age of the housewife.

But the idea of that time is just that: an idea, according to Kate Mangino, a gender equality expert and author of the book, “Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home.”

“There was a myth of the stay-at-home mom and the working dad and the nuclear family,” Mangino told Stacker, clarifying that in many families, both rural and urban, both parents worked a great deal. “It was really only a certain socioeconomic class that could afford to have someone stay at home.”

Movies, television, and advertisements attempted to sell both women and men the concept of the ideal domestic woman, fulfilled by unpaid cleaning, cooking, and caretaking. Still, the reality of most Americans outside of the white middle and upper class was starkly different. Wealthier white families also employed many women of color to perform the tasks associated with the white housewife.

It wasn’t until after World War II that many American households began to own electric washing machines, which replaced their usual laundry workers. Without these hired hands, however, women took over the responsibility of doing family laundry.

Today, outsourcing tasks like laundry is still primarily a luxury enjoyed by those with the means. Outsourcing, Mangino said, “buys you more time that you have for work or for your family, whereas if you do not have those privileges, then you’re going to have to figure out a way to do it yourself or lean on friends and family and neighbors to provide those for you.”

Laundry is still disproportionately performed by women. Although the last two decades have given rise to marginal changes—women spend an average of a few minutes less per day on laundry than they did 20 years ago, while men spend a couple of minutes more—the gap remains significant.

Hampr

Chore types remain very gendered

Within the domain of household tasks, some, like laundry, cleaning, and cooking, are still disproportionately performed by women. Other chores, like yardwork and keeping the car in good condition, are done predominantly by men. Sociologists have extensively studied this gendered division of labor, classifying different types of housework as male- and female-coded.

“Female-coded tasks tend to be routine and indoor, and male-coded tasks tend to be intermittent and outdoor,” Mangino said. While male-coded, intermittent, and outdoor tasks like lawn care and car maintenance are certainly laborious and valuable, they don’t need to be done daily or even weekly. “If something else comes up and you’re sick or you have to do something at work or you take a vacation, if you skip a week mowing your lawn, it’s not a real problem,” Mangino noted.

On the other hand, female-coded routines and indoor tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and caretaking, need to happen every day. “If you miss a day because you’re sick or something comes up at work, you might be able to get by for one day by ordering pizza and letting the dishes pile up in the sink. But if you let it go for more than one day, it’s a major issue,” Mangino said.

While many households may not strictly adhere to this division of labor, many do, keeping women on the hook for household management and caregiving.

“Nothing in our DNA or hormones prevents any human from being an exceptional caregiver,” Mangino said. “It’s all about experience and exposure. But I think because we’ve normalized women caregiving and we’ve normalized women managing households, those norms continue to persist.”

Hampr

Systemic inequalities and individuals perpetuate the gender housework gap

Just as the gender division of labor in households is deeply unequal, perceptions of who is contributing—and how much—are also skewed. Nearly half of men think they participate in housework just as much as women, and 1 in 5 believe men do more housework than women, according to 2020 data from the Pew Research Center. Meanwhile, nearly 3 out of 5 women think they do more housework, an accurate perception backed up by overwhelming evidence.

According to Mangino, structural issues such as the lack of a federal paid family leave policy, prohibitively expensive childcare, wages that have not kept up with rampant inflation, and the lack of benefits for many low-wage workers all contribute to the continuation of the gender housework gap, among other inequities.

Even workers with paid family leave benefits often face professional penalties for using them—men, in particular, are implicitly or openly discouraged from taking time off work to care for their families, Mangino said.

For Sarah Johal, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit CareSprint, business leaders do their workers a disservice by not tracking employees’ caretaking responsibilities and integrating them into their benefits policies.

“Companies are already having to aggregately report their outcomes for gender, race, ethnicity, job levels. This is the gold standard of corporate diversity reporting, but caregiving isn’t there at all, so you have an enormous segment of workers, primarily women, who are going ignored in that experience,” Johal told Stacker.

Apart from advocating for structural changes that would help narrow the gender housework gap, Mangino said that individuals must also approach the division of labor in their own households with intentionality and equity in mind.

“Both people need to be able to say, ‘Okay, this is the pattern. This is the norm. This is our history,'” Mangino said. “‘So we’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to be intentional. We’re going to make changes in our home.'”

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn.

This story originally appeared on Hampr and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

The post Within the gender housework gap, laundry is one of the most unequally divided tasks appeared first on Digital Journal.

Today, with rates holding steady at nearly 7.5 percent, fewer (more expensive) smaller homes on the market, and 10,000 people a day turning 65, many seniors are deciding (or being forced) to stay in their large, sometimes difficult-to-navigate homes. To do so, many are installing stair lifts or home elevators.

To discuss the practical implications of installing a home elevator, Digital Journal sat down with Neil Cornfield of Custom Renovators of New York, who has installed more than 100 pneumatic vacuum elevators (PVEs) throughout Long Island, NY, over the past few years.

Digital Journal: What are the benefits of having an elevator installed in one’s home?

Neil Cornfield: Home elevators are helping seniors age in place by providing enhanced mobility, safety, and independence within their homes. They offer several key benefits:

• Improved Accessibility: Elevators eliminate the need to climb stairs, allowing seniors to easily access all levels of their home despite reduced mobility or physical limitations. This enables them to remain in their familiar surroundings and maintain independence as they age.
• Increased Safety: Stairs pose significant fall risk for seniors. Elevators provide a safe alternative for vertical travel, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. Many elevators also feature safety features like nonslip flooring, handrails, and emergency controls for added security.
• Convenience and comfort: Elevators make daily tasks more manageable for seniors, such as carrying groceries or laundry between floors without the strain of using stairs. This convenience enhances their quality of life and allows them to perform routine activities independently.
• Emotional Well-Being: By enabling seniors to move freely within their homes, elevators help maintain a sense of normalcy, autonomy, a connection to their living spaces, thus minimizing feelings of isolation and promoting emotional well-being.
• Aging in Place: Elevators are a key component in aging in place strategies, allowing seniors to remain in their beloved homes for longer periods without the need to relocate to assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
• Increased Home Value: The installation of a home elevator can increase the property’s resale value, as it’s considered an attractive and valuable accessibility feature for perspective buyers.

DJ: What is a pneumatic vacuum elevator?

Cornfield: A pneumatic vacuum elevator (PVE) is a type of residential elevator that uses air pressure to gently lift and lower an elevator car instead of cables and pulleys. They consist of a transparent cylindrical shaft with an interior cabin that moves up and down on rails. They are self-supporting, requiring no elevator shaft or machine room for installation. They can be placed through a floor cutout, attached to stairs, or mounted to a balcony. Their small footprint and panoramic design make them a space saving and stylish option for homes.

DJ: How do PVEs work?

Cornfield: At the top is a turbine assembly that creates air pressure differences to move the cabin. To go up, air is extracted from the cylinder above the cabin, creating a vacuum that allows the higher air pressure below to push the cabin upwards. To descend, air is slowly released back into the cylinder, allowing the cabin to lower smoothly by gravity (which works even if the power goes out). They are highly energy efficient, using minimal electricity and no hydraulic fluids. With few moving parts, they require a little maintenance beyond a periodic seal replacement every 4 to 5 years.

DJ: Are PVEs safe?

Cornfield: Absolutely. Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators are designed with multiple safety features to ensure secure and reliable operation for passengers. Each unit undergoes rigorous testing to conform to stringent safety certifications and standards. Here are some key points about their safety:

• In the event of a power failure or any detected unsafe condition, PVEs have built-in air pressure protection that allows the cabin to descend safely to the ground level, preventing any risk of freefall. Gravity automatically lowers the cab to the next level at a controlled rate, and the door unlocks when landed, allowing the passenger to walk out.
• They are equipped with emergency brakes that engage immediately to halt the cabin’s movement in critical situations, providing an additional layer of protection. These brakes can stop the cabin within the first five centimetres of freefall in case of vacuum loss.
• Door interlocks prevent the door from opening when the elevator is in motion, eliminating risks of accidental falls or entrapment. The doors remain securely locked until the cabin comes to a complete stop.
• As added security, every elevator is equipped with a telephone for back-up emergency contact.

DJ: What is the cost of a Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator compared to a traditional elevator?

Cornfield: Pneumatic Vacuum Elevators typically cost between $30,000-$50,000 for the equipment and installation. Traditional cable or hydraulic home elevators have a lower starting cost, around $27,000, but they require construction of a dedicated elevator shaft and machine room which adds significant expense. The self-supporting design of pneumatic elevators eliminates the need for a separate shaft, saving on construction cost compared to traditional elevators. As a result, pneumatic vacuum elevators tend to have a higher initial purchase and installation price, but their operating costs are lower over their lifetime.

DJ: Do PVEs really increase the value of a home?

Cornfield: According to home improvement expert Bob Vila, installing an elevator can increase a home’s value by 10  to 25 percent. In fact, I’ve had at least one customer tell me that they doubled their investment in a PVE when they sold the home two years later. Additionally, if the alternative is to move to an assisted living facility or nursing home, which can cost more than $50,000 per year, the cost of installing a PVE is more than made up in value in the first year of use.

The post Q&A: Home elevators can help seniors age in place gracefully appeared first on Digital Journal.

Wealthy colonial Americans used the supposed superiority of one race over another to disrupt the solidarity of those in lower income brackets and retain their hold of economic systems. During the early 1900s, labor groups of different ethnicities were often introduced on plantations to prevent strikes and keep wages low, according to ethnic studies pioneer Ronald Takaki.

Fast forward a century, in 2020, this same tactic put Asian Americans and Black Americans on opposing sides of a fabricated struggle. In reality, however, interracial solidarity was the foundation for many freedoms taken for granted today.

Using research from university history departments and local news publications, Stacker compiled a list of seven moments in history where Black and Asian solidarity in America made civil, labor, and economic freedoms possible, showing that unity and collaboration can be a powerful means forward.

Solidarity’s power has fueled the urgency for those in power to sow dissent, just as it did only a few years ago. With the death of George Floyd and the prevalence of police brutality against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, videos of anti-Asian violence perpetuated by Black Americans began increasing on social media sites. Given the rise of violence and discrimination against Asian Americans during the pandemic, some called on police and city officials to get tougher on crime, just as protests calling for the opposite were happening.

But those videos didn’t show the bigger picture. Studies show the majority of hate crimes against Asian Americans are committed by white people. Another study released by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans found fringe social media accounts were actively pushing media surrounding Black people committing hate crimes against Asians, sowing fear and division between two underrepresented groups and manipulating the narrative surrounding hate crime statistics.

“We saw that disinformation as being a part of deploying this Asian American model minority victim wedge as a way to counter those calls for reform,” said Renee Tajima-Peña, a filmmaker and Asian American Studies professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The “model minority” myth paints Asian Americans as successful and contrasts their “progress” to minimize the role of racism in explaining the state of Black Americans. Tajima-Peña teamed up with journalist and cultural critic Jeff Chang to establish the May 19th project, a multimedia endeavor celebrating interracial solidarity.

Efforts such as these remind people there have been moments when various groups found common ground—and society was all the better for it. Here are a few other inspiring moments in history.

Frederick Douglass opposes the Chinese Exclusion Act

In the 1850s, when Chinese laborers began emigrating to the United States, the federal government passed the first significant act of restricting immigration in the U.S.: the Chinese Exclusion Act.

For more than eight decades, this act (and others that followed it) allowed the U.S. to make it extremely difficult for Asian people to enter the U.S. It protected the federal government when it indiscriminately and arbitrarily departed people who were already in the country.

In 1869, in a speech called “Composite Nation,” American abolitionist Frederick Douglass argued against the Chinese Exclusion Act. The speech still rings true today. Back then, white nationalists thought an influx of Asian immigration would “take over” American culture—a consistent talking point by far-right conservatives who want to restrict immigration today.

“The apprehension that we shall be swamped or swallowed up by Mongolian civilization; that the Caucasian race may not be able to hold their own against that vast incoming population, does not seem entitled to much respect,” Douglass wrote in his speech.

Black Americans opposed Philippine colonization

After the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish-American War of 1898, the European superpower ceded control of its colonies, which included the Philippines. At the same time, Filipino nationalists agitated for their independence and wanted to pursue it despite the country’s annexation to Americans.

The United States refused to cede control of the country, however, ordering combat between U.S. military and Filipino soldiers. The Philippine-American War lasted three years. It resulted in the loss of life of an estimated 4,200 Americans and 20,000 Filipino combatants, as well as 200,000 Filipino civilians.

Historian Timothy D. Russell wrote in a 2014 journal article that​​ African American soldiers were torn between their “sense of duty, discipline and identity as soldiers” and their sympathy for Filipinos—other people of color—who also felt the yoke of white supremacy.

As a result, a few African American soldiers deserted during the war, took the Filipinos’ part in combat, or were stripped of rank. Prominent Black American political activists like Ida B. Wells condemned the American government’s actions. “Negroes should oppose expansion until the government was able to protect the Negro at home,” she wrote in January 1999 in the Cleveland Gazette.

Paving the way for affirmative action

The Japanese American Citizens League, founded in 1929, quickly became an influential lobbying organization post-World War II. The firm frequently visited Washington D.C. and spoke about workplace discrimination, job losses, and civil rights for all people of color.

As the federal government became more involved in creating discrimination laws and desegregation plans, JACL played a large part in ensuring the term “minorities” included a broad group worthy of workplace protection. The organization appeared in civil rights efforts and filed briefs in support of workplace protections, as well as school and housing desegregation.

In particular, JACL emphasized a campaign led by Black activists to convert a temporary Fair Employment Practices Committee into a permanent fixture. An FEPC would benefit not just Black Americans and Japanese Americans but also a swath of people typically seen as minorities at the time.

In the words of Ina Sugihara, co-founder of the Congress of Racial Equality’s New York chapter and organizer at JACL’s first multiracial chapter in New York, “The fate of each minority depends upon the extent of justice given all other groups.”

Lawmakers would introduce more than 100 FEPC bills to Congress, but it shot down each attempt. The idea, however, would eventually evolve into an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission within the Civil Rights Act of 1964, giving birth to the concept of “affirmative action.”

Repealing the Emergency Detention Act

The Emergency Detention Act of 1950 was part of a slew of McCarthyist policies during the Cold War that would allow the federal government to detain anyone suspected of espionage and build detention facilities to hold them.

Its opponents called the legislation the “concentration camp law” because it would allow the government to round up and imprison anyone they thought could be a security threat—precisely what they did to over 100,000 Japanese Americans in World War II.

In the late 1960s, as the fear of communism tangled with the Civil Rights Movement and civil disobedience, the fear that the government would use the Emergency Detention Act to jail Black activists grew. San Franciscan Asian American students began protesting concentration camp legislation and eventually pressured the JACL to formally lobby against the Act, following efforts by Black activists. In 1971, the act was repealed.

The Rainbow Coalition push for reforms

The first Rainbow Coalition was established in 1969 in Chicago by Fred Hampton of the Black Panther Party to form alliances with other groups and working-class communities in a deeply segregated city. The movement eventually expanded to include the Red Guard (a Chinese American youth movement), the Puerto Rican Young Lords Organization, the Mexican American United Farm Workers, the white Appalachian Young Patriots Organization, and the American Indian Movement.

Strengthened by these allegiances, organizers would boycott and walk picket lines together, as well as attend each other’s rallies and demonstrations. Members of these different organizations would work together to help alleviate street gang violence, launch free breakfast programs, and run daycare centers.

“Fred Hampton and the original Rainbow Coalition were so dangerous to Chicago,” Tajima-Peña said. “[He was] trying to get people to understand their common problems as well as their common futures.”

Teaching ethnic studies

In the 1960s, The Black Student Union at San Francisco State demanded that the school teach a history course more aligned with the Black experience. The movement grew into the Third World Liberation Front, a coalition of Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous student groups in San Francisco. The university became the first school to teach an ethnic studies class.

In 2021, California became the first state to require an ethnic studies class to receive a high school diploma. Though some groups have denounced the legislation for sowing division, but Penny Nakatsu, a civil rights lawyer in San Francisco, disagrees. “Ethnic studies is a way of embracing all of the cultures that make up the world,” she told KQED. “If we don’t understand each other, how are we going to get along?”

Vietnamese and Black Americans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, Vietnamese and African American residents supported each other as they rebuilt their communities.

In 1975, Catholic Vietnamese immigrants made their way to New Orleans East after being uprooted many times before—first from northern Vietnam during a French-led conflict and again in the ’70s during the American-led Vietnam war. They lived alongside Black Americans in the South.

According to Dr. Eric Tang, an African Diaspora Studies professor at the University of Texas at Austin, Vietnamese and African Americans worked together post-Katrina to stop developers from profiting off the disaster. They also vocally denounced government organizations for inadequately supplying New Orleans residents with recovery resources and protested the site of a landfill—one of the many ways environmental racism plays out in communities of color.

During the hurricane, Father Nguyen The Vien, head of the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church, organized evacuation attempts in the Versailles neighborhood. The church served as a temporary shelter for the first people who returned to New Orleans after the storm.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn.

The post 7 moments of Asian American and Black American solidarity appeared first on Digital Journal.

The need for home health aides is expected to balloon over the next several years. This increased demand is in part because populations in many areas are aging. In New York, for instance, the number of home aides who provide at-home health services has more than doubled over the past 10 years, totaling over 500,000. Over the coming decade, it is expected that more new jobs will open in the home care occupation than in any other industry.

Vivian Health visualized data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to identify states with the highest- and lowest-rated home health agencies. The ratings address the quality of patient care, ranging from 1-5.

Vivian Health

Only 3 states rated below average for patient care

The location where someone lives can play a big role in both the care patients have access to and the resources that home health aides receive. Southern and Southeastern states make up the majority of the states with the highest home health care ratings: Mississippi, West Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Alabama. Costs can range dramatically from state to state—for instance, Mississippi’s monthly average for in-home health services is $3,800, while Massachusetts is around $6,000. Montana, Minnesota, and Vermont rated below average for quality of home health patient care.

For those in rural areas, care providers might have to travel further to reach patients, and there may not be as many medical resources available, resulting in a lower quality of care when compared to urban areas.

The inequities in at-home services also mirror the disparities present in the health care system at large: Black and Hispanic patients, as well as patients from low-income or marginalized neighborhoods, are less likely to receive high-quality at-home health care than white and/or higher-income patients.

The agency facilitating services can also play a pivotal role in determining how successful at-home health care may be for a patient. Their task begins with pairing patients with their in-home aide, determining the schedule and frequency of care, and arranging appropriate services. Crucially, agencies can act as an intermediary between a patient and their primary physician, who is now seeing the patient far less than if they were in a facility.

While the home health care industry still remains largely unregulated, that isn’t expected to last for long. Private equity firms are rushing to claim their stake in what promises to be a lucrative market. States are increasingly recognizing that the hours at-home aides work—and the minimum wage they earn—need to be reevaluated. In just a few years, access to and funding for home health care may be completely transformed—hopefully, in a direction that balances the scales for consumers.

Home health care coverage

Just what “home health care” is can encompass a wide range of services and can often be confused with “home care.” While the latter helps ill and/or disabled individuals live more comfortably and safely day to day, home health care uses clinical methods to directly treat injuries and illnesses. Care can range from injections to occupational therapy to wound care and is often authorized for a set term following a patient’s medical procedure or for seniors with chronic conditions and those who want to age in place.

Reflecting these complexities, Medicare only covers home health care, and only within certain parameters. As of March 2024, New York lawmakers are battling over a proposal that would consolidate—and ostensibly limit the scope—of Medicaid’s consumer-directed personal assistance program, or CDPAP, which supports individuals opting for home care.

Figuring out who funds home health care, and to what extent, is a time-pressed task. Particularly following the havoc COVID-19 wreaked in nursing homes, many older Americans are opting to live at home, rather than in assisted living facilities. This desire goes for those with disabilities or chronic illnesses, as well as those undergoing end-of-life care. Besides a higher sense of safety for many, at-home health care is also attractive for providing a stronger sense of independence and decreasing experiences of loneliness.

Story editing by Shannon Luders-Manuel. Copy editing by Tim Bruns.

This story originally appeared on Vivian Health and was produced and
distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

The post These states have the highest-quality home health agencies, according to patients appeared first on Digital Journal.

“Bildnis Fraeulein Lieser” (Portrait of Miss Lieser) was commissioned by a wealthy Jewish industrialist’s family and painted by Klimt in 1917 shortly before he died.

The unfinished portrait of a dark-haired woman was likely last seen at a Viennese exhibition in 1925. It reemerged this year when auction house im Kinsky announced its sale.

“No one expected that a painting of this importance, which had disappeared for 100 years, would resurface,” said im Kinsky expert Claudia Moerth-Gasse.

Portraits by the Austrian great rarely come onto the open market.

The auction house estimates its value at 30-50 million euros ($32-53 million), but Klimt works have sold for higher prices at recent auctions.

Last June, Klimt’s “Dame mit Faecher” (Lady with a Fan) was sold in London for £74 million ($94.3 million at the time), a European art auction record.

The highest price paid at auction in Austria is a work by Flemish painter Frans Francken II, which fetched seven million euros in 2010.

– Helene, Annie or Margarethe? – 

Wednesday’s auction will begin at 1500 GMT. Besides “Portrait of Miss Lieser”, sketches by Klimt and works by his contemporaries such as Egon Schiele will be on sale.

Ahead of the auction, the well-preserved painting has been put on show in Vienna, but also in Switzerland, Germany, Britain and Hong Kong.

The unsigned painting shows a young woman adorned with a large cape richly decorated with flowers on a bright red background.

Mystery surrounds the identity of the model, who visited Klimt’s studio nine times for the portrait.

She is known to be from the Lieser family, a Jewish industrial dynasty.

She could be one of the two daughters, named Helene and Annie, of Henriette (Lilly) Lieser, an art patron. But the first catalogue dedicated to Klimt, dating from the 1960s, said it was Lieser’s niece, Margarethe.

Lilly Lieser remained in Vienna despite the Nazi takeover, was deported in 1942 and murdered in the Auschwitz internment camp in 1943.

– Nazi trader? –

Before her death, Lieser seems to have entrusted the painting to a member of her staff, Austrian daily Der Standard found based on correspondence in an Austrian museum.

It then turned up in the possession of a Nazi trader, whose daughter inherited it and who in turn left it to distant relatives after her death.

Im Kinsky, which specializes in restitution procedures, insists it has found no evidence that the work was stolen or unlawfully seized.

The back of the painting is “completely untouched” and has “no stamps, no stickers, nothing,” which would indicate it was seized or left Austria, according to the auction house.

Moreover, none of the Lieser descendants who survived the war claimed the painting.

Moerth-Gasser told AFP the current owners, who wish to remain anonymous, contacted im Kinsky two years ago for legal advice. Im Kinsky then informed the Lieser families, who are largely US-based.

Some travelled to see the painting, before signing an agreement with the owners, thus removing any obstacle to its sale.

Some experts have called for a more in-depth investigation of the work’s provenance however.

“Several points should be questioned more critically, as the provenance of the picture has not yet been completely clarified,” Monika Mayer, head of archives at the Belvedere museum, which houses Klimt’s famous “Kiss”, was quoted as saying by Austria’s Profil magazine.

Moreover, the painting was not presented in the United States, for fear it could be held there, as has happened before with Austrian works under dispute.

Austrian museums have returned a number of Austrian art works to descendants of Jewish art collectors, including an American claimant who sought five Klimt masterpieces.

The post Top price predicted for long-lost Klimt portrait at Vienna auction appeared first on Digital Journal.