Imagine having to pay for something you biologically could not prevent. Every time your body committed a normal, healthy function, you were charged with not only the maintenance and the inconvenience, but the disadvantage of living in a society that does not adequately adjust to your needs. For those who are unaware, this is what having a period is like in America— let alone the world. Women are expected to not complain or even mention something that they go through for almost a quarter of the year, and still bear the added cost of buying sanitary products and items to help make the occasion as painless as possible. Society is too advanced, and culture is too aware to be turning a blind eye to something that is the direct result of having an …show more content…
It is hard to blame modern society alone though, for the perpetual stigmatization of menstruation can be traced back to ancient times. In Rome, it was believed that menstruation was a punishment from the Gods. People thought that, when stored, the blood would turn into maleficent articles that would fill the world with demons. Then, in the late 1800's, a German doctor (who was male) thought that periods were disgusting and created a contraption resembling a belt that only "sanitary" women bought, when in reality it was women who could afford it that it "benefited". This started the long line of feminine products that made having a menstrual cycle seemingly convenient, but in actuality quite expensive. Being that we are in the twenty-first century we now have more knowledge than ever. Modern advances have made us realize menstrual blood is uterine lining, and items like pads and tampons are now made to cater to this bleeding. Studies have shown that women are bound to hormone changes, uncomfortable side effects, and more; so why is it still taboo after all of this? The simple answer is that society has made it a routine-- a profitable, punishable …show more content…
To think that all women need is a pad or a tampon is a vast misconception. Buying things like heating pads, comfort food, pain medicine, and God forbid new underwear is a huge expense. The small outlet that would be greatly appreciated would be the decrease of some of these expenses, and the direct source would be to reduce the cost of the pads/tampons. Nine dollars a month (at least) on pads/tampons does add up over time and when you think about all the things that are handed out for free in America I think our country could make some effort to reduce this significantly. Even hamburgers are a dollar in this country, but when women even whisper the words that they are sick of having to financially deal with having a period then everyone asks, "Why don't you just get on birth control?" Just because women have menstrual cycles does not mean they have the money to pay for it as well, or should be expected to change the normal pattern of their hormones just because other people cannot tolerate their reasonable rebuttal to its prices. The crisis in this is that the people who suffer the most are youth and the homeless. School is a barren wasteland for any young lady who just got her period a few months ago, and it will seem as though she can never get her hands on a proper pad. In desperation, she will attempt to wad a huge helping of one-ply toilet paper and risk her reputation as she runs through the halls with a peculiar bulge and a constant fear
Gender Matters is a collection of various essays on feminist linguistic texts analysis, by Sara Mills. Mills develops methods of analyzing literary and non-literary texts, in addition to conversational analysis based on a feminist approach. The author draws on data from her collection of essays gathered over the last two decades on feminism during the 1990s. The essays focus on gender issues, the representation of gender in reading, writing, and in public speaking. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of feminists’ analysis of sexism in literature and the relation between gender and politeness. The article is informative for my research paper, as my topic is going to cover language analysis of the text and who women reading and writing differs according to the discourse analysis within linguistic, psychology, case studies audiences and surveys. The book would be helpful, particularly the last three essays that discusses gender, public speaking, the question of politeness and impoliteness in public speaking. Mills’ analysis is not complete without including the idea of global notions of both women and men, to see whether women and men write and read in the same way globally. Therefore, an update would enrich the book’s discussion section. Although, Mills addresses the class and race theme in language and public speaking, I will only look into the role of language that plays a part in doing or reducing gender in literary, non-literary texts and in conversation.
In both the prohibitions on menstruation and sex, and ritual life and education it is something gendered very strictly to women.
This problem directly correlates with the cost of sanitary products, as the average cost for sanitary products per package in the United States is $5.84 for pads and $7.62 for tampons. It is also estimated that the average annual cost for pads is $70 and $90 for tampons. In Britain, the average cost for a box of tampons from supermarkets is between 2 to 3 pounds, which is normally the same price for pads. However, local shops tend to sell pads and tampons as high as £5. The average person who has a period knows that other items such medication for cramps, new underwear, hot water bottles and chocolates can accumulate to be rather expensive, which
Women should have a choice over what happens to their bodies. If any woman wanted to get rid of an unwanted baby they should be allowed to, instead of being shamed for their choice. It’s her choice. In 2007, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote, “[It is] a woman’s autonomy to determine her life’s course and thus to enjoy [her] equal citizenship stature.” This quote is very important because some women don’t want to have a baby, they might be too young, or their baby might have a disability and they can’t care for it. Many womens’ rights activists call for abortion to be legal and that’s right for women to do what they want their bodies. A woman should be in charge of what happens to her body.
Imagine if it were you: missing school or work since you cannot afford the products you need. Imagine if it were you: forced to leave your home as it is "that time of the month". Imagine if it were you: shunned by family and friends; made to feel like less of a person simply because of a natural bodily function. This is life for millions of women around the world and it needs to change. Women are historically encouraged to hide their periods. Even today, in "modern" society, menstruation is still highly stigmatized. This stigmatization leads to serious problems with health, social situations, personal development, society, and even endangers women's lives.
Making birth control pills over the counter will make it the “most effective contraceptive method ever sold in the United States” (Marcotte 3). “Oral contraceptives are safe enough to be sold over the counter” (Gueren 4). According to Gueren, about “70 percent of Americans are in favor of over the counter birth control pills” (4). “Nearly two-thirds of American women would rather have birth control pills over the counter, and about 30 percent of women say they would consider going on birth control if the option was available” (Marcotte 1). Allowing access to birth control pills over the counter prevents unwanted pregnancies, empowers women to take charge of their own healthcare, and reduces overpopulation.
In the society we live in now men still tend to think that women must still obey and cater to their every need as if women have no voice over their rights. One of the most controversial subjects that has been around for a long time is women’s access to birth control. The topic of birth control is extensive is includes whether women have the right to have an abortion in their home states, regardless of the situation in which they happen to get pregnant. Women shouldn’t have to be integrated when they choose to have an abortion. In the government the men in power feel that they have the right to choose for women. The point to this paper is to address the lack of access to birth control on college campuses. Most college students pay little to
The cost of pregnancy prevention was drastically reduced when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nearly 100%-effective birth control pill (the Pill) in 1960. Whereas in developing countries, contraceptives are difficult to obtain due to restrictions based on gender roles, socio-economic status and cultures and their beliefs. Population over the years has been increasing specifically in developing countries, due to the high mortality rate and need to keep procreating. Our planet, already staggering under 6.5 billion people, is expecting to add another 2 billion by 2030, and perhaps 2 billion beyond that by 2050. Nearly all of them will be born in developing nations. This rising population could be controlled more if ways to prevent pregnancies were less expensive and were accepted throughout society’s norms. Family dynamics and roles are ever-changing and because of this, there is no traditional family sense. Nuclear families are a modern-day concept that mostly resides in developed countries such as Canada and the USA, but in developing countries the family is made up of cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents: the extended family. Giving women the option of contraception is the single most important factor in achieving the "demographic transition"
“Birth control is cheap, while an unplanned birth is not” (Wahlin 10). Birth control is the practice of preventing unwanted pregnancies. More than 43 million women of reproductive age are sexually active and want to prevent pregnancy, 89 percent are practicing contraception. There are many reasons why the use of birth control should be reduced, just a few of them included the different ways it is offered, the many harmful effects and the unreasonable cost.
Women and gender studies contribute greatly to our understanding of the social and cultural world we inhabit. Studying the complex issues of this field has instituted many key insights. Two major insights that positively affected our society are the awareness through learning and through this awareness activism that can ensue.
I feel like birth control should be free to anyone who wants to use it, because it probably would lessen the pregnancies and STD rates. Not only that, birth control is expensive and you cannot just hand a guy a condom and expect him to use it all the time. If birth control was free for girls I think more of them would be on it. Plus, it also helps reduce period cramps, and it can also help regulate a
I am passionate about legislation and public discussion regarding women’s access to birth control. It is extremely important for the United States to protect women’s health. Considering that we are one of the most advanced countries in the world, it is important that we provide a major example in the protection of women’s health. The United States is falling behind 46 other nations that already provide free birth control to their citizens, even though we are the richest country in the world.
Surely, countless ‘You Are Not the Father” stories on Maury, showcasing severely relieved men, prove that male contraceptive is a wanted need. And although men have equal responsibility towards the prevention of pregnancy as women, they do not share equally in the and resources. Today, available contraceptives for women include the pill, cervical cap, contraceptive implants, sponge, injection, vaginal ring, the “morning after” pill, and several other methods. As for men, they are only limited to condoms, the “pull out” method, and the unnerving vasectomy. With such limited resources, it is an unfair advantage for both men and women towards pregnancy
Thirty-seven states in the U.S. have a state tax on feminine hygiene products (GHGP). Tampons have been taxed as a luxury in certain states, making them hard to afford for many women and their families. Some women have even reported giving up their food stamps in return for money, in order to buy the necessary products for their menstrual cycle. In developing and third world countries, sixty percent of women and girls do not have access to sanitary products, so why is a country as developed as the United
Women should have access to affordable health care that offers the benefits of birth control. Each woman's own belief and morals, along with the values they have been taught will give them the opportunity to choose what is right for them. Businesses and private organizations should not have the right to take away health care based on their personal beliefs. Making birth control harder to access may lead to more unwanted or unplanned pregnancies that could have otherwise been prevented or planned. A woman's health and life depends on the ability to freely choose what is best for them and their families