ginger@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ginger Grover) (12/10/84)
Perhaps we could promote a more positive attitude by establishing a variety of ceremonies to *celebrate* the start of another menstrual flow. After all, it is a sign that we are female and healthy, praise Hera! (Some of us may just want to celebrate the fact we're not pregnant). I'm not advocating running a used napkin up a flagpole (Oooh, ish! Grody to the max!), though it might be interesting to see who saluted :-) But wouldn't it be wonderful to see a tv commercial that treated the whole business with pride and respect, rather than like something shameful to be hidden? Maybe one day we'll even see a movie in which a gathering of women celebrate a girl's menarche. I have a friend who keeps her tampons in a beautiful alabaster jar, and her napkins in a soft fabric box she embroidered with symbols (moon, venus, etc.). She makes a point of taking time to be by herself at the start of each cycle, to "center" herself; she lights a red candle and give thanks to the Great Mother. I am become Demeter Bountiful Mother Giver of Life Ginger uw-beaver\!ssc-vax\!ginger PS Sophie - I'll see what I can find out about names and addresses for sending copies of this discussion to the "bat-brains". If there *are* women in advertising who are in a position to make decisions about these ads, perhaps we can give them some extra ammunition, a real impetus for change. G.
features@ihuxf.UUCP (M.A. Zeszutko) (12/11/84)
Ginger, What a beautiful way to celebrate being a woman! I've heard it rumored among the multiparous women of my neighborhood that one's period was The Blessing, *not* The Curse. And either way, it's a lot better than what my father used to do: he would ask, "Are you `sick'?" How could I be "sick" when what was happening showed that I was healthy? I think how a woman approaches her menstruation reflects her feelings about her self, her body, and her role in society. Why should we go skulking about furtively? Men are so mystified by the whole process...bet they wouldn't be able to tell whether or not I am menstruating at any given time. Being a human being is something to celebrate, and I think that those of us born female can celebrate our femaleness, enjoy our individuality, and have loving relationships with males, all at the same time. -- aMAZon @ AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL; ihnp4!ihuxf!features "Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night."
zubbie@wlcrjs.UUCP (Jeanette Zobjeck) (12/11/84)
It took a hysterectomy for me to appreciate aMAZon's simple statement. I had the misfortune to have a mother who believed that being a women meant that we were placed on earth so that men could have some outlet for their sexual (UGH!) needs. The termoil my decision to study to be (GASP) an electronics engineer caused my mother almost saw me drop the whole idea and take up needle point till an approved man might come into my life. Often I wish that i could redo my childhood knowing what I know today about being a female in society and a person to and for myself. Jeanette L. Zobjeck
saquigley@watmath.UUCP (Sophie Quigley) (12/12/84)
When I was in high school, I had a friend whose parents celebrated with her
the beginning of her womanhood by taking her out to a restaurant. I thought
that was rather nice. If I get a daughter I plan to do something similar.
It IS a very important event, and should definitely be celebrated!
I wonder when people start feeling ashamed of such things. When I was in Junior
high, we were all longing to get our periods, and those who "had it" had a
special aura about them and were the envy of all the other little girls who
were not so lucky. I remember bragging about it when I "got mine". After a
while though, nobody was bragging anymore, just trying to hide it.
Sophie Quigley
...!{clyde,ihnp4,decvax}!watmath!saquigleyeagan@druxp.UUCP (EaganMS) (12/14/84)
Celebration might be a good idea, but I had another reason for not wanting it: I was talking with some friends in 6th grade one day just before lunch one day in early June, and I said how I was "hoping to get through just one more summer without my period." THAT day I got it, to my disappointment. I know I was embarassed, but my main concern was the fact that Tampons were so new, and I knew I'd start by wearing those "diaper" napkins. AND, THAT meant I couldn't swim!!!! Actually, initially I remember being told it was not good to swim when you had your period (HOGWOSH!!!). Not being able to swim was the worst horror to me, and I quickly leared how to use tampons although the first time I tried I was very scared and passed out from fear! Incidentally, a great pain reliever during pre-period times is to go swim long distance. No matter how cramped I feel, I will swim. I find that it acts like a pain killer for several hours after.