This ridiculous non-issue, designed mostly to set women against each other, gets wheeled out with tiresome regularity. Its bloated corpse is reanimated one of two ways: via a bogus “concern for the environment” angle, which is also a non-issue in Australia since the majority of applicator tampons available use biodegradable recycled cardboard applicators), or in a haughty “applicators are weird and for women who are afraid of their bodies” fashion. Years later I am still fuming about Gabrielle chiding Alex in the Secret Life Of Us pilot episode (yes, my rage runs deep), “What, afraid you might have to touch yourself?” when Alex passed her a Tampax. For the last time, everybody together now: PERSONAL. PREFERENCE. It’s your vagina, you choose what you put in or around it. Pads? Tampons? Mooncups? Reusable pads? Sea sponges? No problem! After over a decade of menstruation, I just decided that applicator tampons tended to unwrap in my handbag less often, and were better equipped to soak up my monster periods. Your mileage may vary. THE END.

We don’t see a comprehensive and thorough discussion in mainstream media or in other institutions anywhere. Instead, we have messages that haven’t changed much from this Disney produced movie, through funding from KOTEX (ah, capitalism at it’s finest, controlling women) from 1946. Instead of being natural, menstruation is turned into something shameful, secretive. Look! tampons that fit into your hand so nobody has to know what you’re carrying to the bathroom! Get your “hygiene” products so you won’t be dirty anymore! What is with that?

velvet-areola:

ohwhatprovidence:

For my sexuality and sexual constructions class, I decided to tackle one of my favorite things in the entire world: menstruation. I think there are very, very few things that embody the concept of social construction like the shame, fear, and disgust that surrounds menstruation, particularly in the US.

I’m really fascinated in particular by the fear of leaking, and the idea of creating images like this wouldn’t leave my alone. I’m so happy with it.

I’m actually kind of fascinated by this project because it’s not the typical *YAY PERIODZ*/white cis feminism art I see all over the place. 

I like thinking about the anxiety of it and where it comes from. and how little sense the enormous fear makes when you take it out of social context.

It would be nice to see a diversity of bodies though.

(via everythingbutharleyquinn)