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1996188 Responseshttp://www.racerelationsproject.org/2010/03/whats-the-big-deal-with-periods/What%27s+the+big+deal+with+periods%3F2010-03-24+03%3A04%3A59Sam+Richards to What’s the big deal with periods?
I completely agree with what this girl said about having a period. What is the big deal? All guys know this happens to women every 28 days, yet they cringe at the mere thought of what happens during those days.
I thought it was pretty rude when a large amount of people started leaving the room in the middle of what Sam was saying. Did they leave because they all coincidentally had somewhere to go, or did they leave because they were offended and disgusted by his viewpoint? I have to admit it was a bit awkward, especially because I did not expect that to be said, but that was no reason to leave.
Why can’t girls talk about their period to guys? I hear guys all the time telling gross stories about their bodily functions and passing gas in public, yet a girl can’t even talk about something that is a natural part of life?
I think there are reasons as to why guys don’t want to talk or hear about a woman’s menstrual cycle. The first reason is because since the beginning of time, women have been taught to act like a lady and be proper at all times. I have been told that it makes a girl less attractive if she’s talking about her bodily functions to other people, especially guys. Isn’t it ironic that guys can talk freely about their bodily functions, telling gross stories in detail all the time to people?
Another reason as to why boys don’t want to talk or listen about “bleeding” is because they do not know much about the subject. They have never really been taught about what actually goes on in a woman’s body during this time. I personally know that if I don’t know something well enough, I don’t talk about it with other people. Boys definitely need to be taught in science or some other class about the menstrual cycle. I know for certain that I have been taught several times in science class about the male reproductive system, so why shouldn’t guys learn about the woman’s reproductive system? I think that if they are more educated and in tune with what happens to a girl during that time, they will have more respect towards women and will be more open to discussing the subject.
Women should be able to talk freely and openly about what they are going through during their cycle, because it definitely is not a fun or easy time. Cramps, bloating, and fatigue are just among many other things that a girl experiences during this time, on top of always worrying if she is leaking!
Early in the relationship with my boyfriend, I was supposed to go to a concert with him, and I had the worst cramps imaginable. I ended up telling him that I couldn’t go because I had the stomach virus. I didn’t want to tell him that I was on my period because I would be embarrassed and I was afraid that he would be grossed out. A day later I ended up telling him the truth, because if a guy doesn’t want to be with you because of something that naturally happens each month, then he is not worth any girl’s time.
The whole topic of periods that came up in class the other day was somewhat shocking. When Sam used the word "bleeding" I was a little taken back. Sure, it's a literal term because that is what essentially happens, but I think the words "period" and "menstrual cycle" were invented to respect the fact that it isn't pleasant. I know this person said a period is a beautiful thing because it allows women to be fertile and give birth, but I'm a woman and I hate having a period. I mean I would rather have it than not simply to have children, but I despise those days when my period comes around. Lori said it perfectly in her monologue. Women count down every 28 days to when their period rolls around and the pain, bloating, and fatigue takes over. It is not fun.
I think many women do not feel comfortable discussing it as well as men because it takes away from physical beauty. When a woman has their period, they are looked at as dirty. I remember watching some morning talk show and back in the 1950s women were told to use Lysol to clean themselves. That is crazy to me, but I understand the feeling of feeling dirty when that time of the month comes around. It really does take away self confidence and spunk that I have the rest of the month.
I also agreed with Sam when he added that if men had periods our world would be a lot different. Let's face it, the world would come to a daunting halt if men experienced what we do every month. They would complain and fight for rights. I also agree with the another one of the video posts that said tampons would be free. That brings up a good point, because I think they should be free. They are expensive, especially for something we cannot control. If tampons were free women would save a lot of money.
I think if we were able to talk about periods more, women would not feel so dirty and bad about themselves. Periods are so natural, so I agree with Sam that we should be able to talk about it. I don't see it as a form of "art", but every woman gets it and it is the reason we can reproduce, so it shouldn't be a topic off limits. Although Sam's talk about periods was shocking, I think it brings up a good point and we shouldn't feel so embarrassed to talk about something so natural.
I found the end of class, on this past Tuesday’s lecture, quite interesting. This idea was not on a topic of race relations or anything really pertaining to race but on an example that turned into quite a fiasco. Thinking back on what we were talking about on Tuesday, Sam was trying to make an analogy of how whites will never know how it feels to be a person of color. I think we were talking about this analogy before this big discussion started. Sam made a connection to how men will never know how it feels going through bleeding (aka having a period). Now I thought this was fine and was a good parallel to what we were talking about, but what I found extremely interesting was how he started bringing in his personal life into the discussion. I do not think many people have a problem with talking about bleeding, although I feel Sam could have used a better word or words to describe it. I think people got upset when he started talking about his wife’s menstrual cycle. He said something about how his wife’s menstrual cycle is real heavy and it comes every like 26 or so days. Around this time people started to get worked up.
I do not think it has anything to do with the natural body process, but rather that he told 700 some kids how his wife menstruates. I do not need to be sitting in a class having images of what he is describing in front of the class. On top of having him telling stories of how she yells in the bathroom and how he knows it is that time of the month. I do not know many girls that would want 700 plus students knowing all this detail about their private life. It may be different saying “my wife is having her period now” but when getting into detail about how it happens I think is crossing the line. I think the most outrageous thing Sam said in the class was how when she is done in the bathroom he asks her not to flush it down the toilet so he can go look at it. He called this a beautiful sight to see in the toilet. I do not know what is beautiful looking about blood in a toilet. Now the process of bleeding and the menstrual cycle is a beautiful thing I would agree. This is how life is created and that is a beautiful gift. If he intended to mean this I would agree, but I would find looking at blood in a toilet not the most attractive picture. All in all I do not believe people got upset over the topic of a menstrual cycle. Rather I think when Sam started bringing in his wife that crossed the line and put pictures in to people’s minds that would have been better elsewhere. I agree with the girl asking the question. Having a menstrual cycle is an amazing aspect of life because it means being able to give birth, but I do not think people want to envision Sam peeking in the toilet and admiring his wife’s blood.
This girl is so funny! I mean I agree with the whole if you want to talk about go ahead but personally I would not want to hear about someone else’s bleeding. I find it funny that this has been a big topic in class as well as blogging and I find it interesting because I do not feel that it should be such a big deal. I guess maybe because of how I was brought up it was like a very personal thing that only happened to girls. I suppose that there really isn’t much of a big deal about it since it is a normal function but just the thought of talking about it still grosses me out. I know I should not be this way since it is normal and it happens to all girls but there is just something that I find myself shying from. I guess perhaps it is the fact that I am uncomfortable with the situation because I do find that I can discuss my period fine among my sister and mom and at times I can get some really funny reactions out of them but the minute it is not a girl I refuse and do not like talking about it. My boyfriend is completely okay with the whole “menstrual cycle” and what not and understands that I go through my moods and can be quite bitchy. I do feel that part of why he understands is because of his sister and he has had to live with someone who does in fact bleed. Even when he is completely okay with me bleeding I find it very uncomfortable even talk about in casual conversation even though he seems quite comfortable with the conversation. I mean I guess a part of why I do not mind talking to other girls about my period is because I feel like they completely understand what I am going through. With guys I feel that it is hard to relate and be like I know how you feel because no you really don’t. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s an amazing thing that women can give birth and bring a new life into this world but I just find it very weird to talk about and I guess it does go back to the way society is. To society it is uncomfortable to talk about and the easiest way to go about it is to just not talk about it. But by not talking about it I feel like it doesn’t make the situation any better and instead encourages the silence among women. Like Sam said if guys were to have periods they would walk around bragging about it yet men and other women refuse to even talk about periods because it’s disgusting.
I found these last two classes to be the most interesting classes of the year so far. When Sam just went on a tangent and began to talk about his wife’s bleeding and how it was an art I thought it was hilarious. I understand that menstruation is a touchy subject for women and most men don’t want to talk about it either but I think it is a subject that needs to be talked about. First of all the reason why I think men do not like to talk about menstruation or a girl’s period is because they are not knowledgeable about the topic at all. Growing up with two sisters and my mother I was obviously exposed to this and had a pretty good idea of what was going on and at times how difficult it could be. I feel that it women opened up more to guys and talked about it and what they are feeling and what they are going through bleeding would not be as looked down upon. I was also amazed at how many people said that they were offended by the word bleeding. The word is not discriminating against anyone its just stating what actually is going on. It is not sugar coating anything it is telling it how it is. I understand how some people might think the word is disgusting but it should not offend them in my opinion. I also agree with Sam’s statement about how if he was on a period he would let the whole world now it and make sure that men know exactly what I am going through and how some days I can not even get out of bed but I have to cause I have an important test or job interview. I would love to see women and guys switch bodies for just one week. I know this will never happen but I could only imagine the men trying to deal with cramps, vomiting, and bleeding and I would love to see women deal with the mood swings that the guys would be having and the sudden outbursts that would occur. All in all I think it would be a funny thing to watch. Another remark that I would like to touch on is how I do not understand how since girls can not control bleeding and it is an almost daily thing why it is not compared to getting hungry to going to the bathroom like Sam noted. Clearly, if women cant really control there is no excuse why it is so frowned upon. If this is the case then when someone is hungry they usually are a little agitated and can go through mood swings maybe this should be frowned upon. In the end I feel that if men were more knowledgeable about a women’s body and the problems she faces daily bleeding would not be such a touchy topic and would be much more widely accepted. I hope more of the future classes are as interesting as these last couple were.
I was pretty shocked to see people leaving the room when Sam started talking about bleeding. I don't see what the big deal is? People bleed for all sorts of reasons, menstruation being one of the most natural forms. Were people really that disgusted that they couldn't even listen to what he had to say? He was trying to describe how his wife suffers every month and people just could not get past the fact that she was bleeding and that they thought it was gross. If he had been talking about how she gets this really sore throat every month, no one would have been disgusted by that I'm sure. But for some reason talking about periods is taboo. Even among women, no one really talks about periods unless you're with close friends. At least that's how it is for me. I don't think that men realize how annoying it is to have a monthly period. While I'm glad I have it, it always seems to be getting in the way. When you have your period you can't just do anything, you have to plan and make sure you carry proper supplies. Who wants to do that when they're going out on the weekend? It is a hassle to have to have to change a tampon every so often, especially when you're busy and in the middle of things. The only time women are glad that their period arrives is when they are a little worried that it might not come, for one reason or another. Men all know that women get their periods, so why shouldn't it be talked about? I'm pretty sure that any man who wants to have kids really wants to marry a woman who gets her period. We all had to take sex ed in elementary or middle school and we know what goes on with the other sex. When I was sitting in class the other day I heard two guys talking about how periods don't need to be talked about. They said that they don't talk about the size of their dicks. For some reason they thought this was an equal comparison. I disagree. A penis is a body part, a period is a bodily function. And if they want to talk about the size of their dicks, then they can go ahead. I have heard men talk about taking a shit so many times and maybe that is comparable to talking about periods. It just seems so ridiculous that we can't talk about all things that are natural and expected. If these things didn't happen, none of us would be here. I never really gave this any thought so I'm glad Sam brought it up.
1. I love being infertile. 2. Well that’s about it. Having your period is cool, but keep it to yourself. Its actually not cool, I’d be happy having no knowledge about a woman’s period. I was just wondering if a woman wants to know about every time a man gets a unnecessary boner. I’ve gotten a boner in the most random of places in my life, the bank, waiting in line for water ice, chances are I’ve gotten a boner while sitting next to you in class and yes I did readjust it and put it up in my waistband. How uncomfortable are you right now as you think about all the guys that readjust their boners while sitting next to you in class. Don’t worry though; I probably didn’t get the boner thinking about you. I was probably thinking about ice cream and just got a huge hard on. Point proven.
I thought this was very funny. I do agree with her though. It is a miracle and I’m very grateful to be a healthy, fertile woman. However.. I don’t know. I know that we should be able to talk about it like Sam said because it is natural and it is healthy. I get that it’s a part of life just like every other bodily function but I still would not feel comfortable to just talk about it as if I was talking about my hair or nails growing. It’s different. It’s different because it was made different. This is the way everyone has felt about period’s forever so nothings really going to change. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable walking into a room and telling people that I am on my period. Maybe it’s different because it’s bleeding from your vagina. It’s not just your nails growing. That’s not too visual. But when you say that you are on your period, I feel like people picture it. Well not that they picture it happening in their minds they just get grossed out and I don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable. But I also thought that what Sam said was true about if guys were the ones that had periods it would be different. I liked the picture that said if men had periods they would brag about the size of their tampons. That’s so true and it’s not fair that we live in a mans world. But what else can we do? That’s the way things are. Men get so freaked out by periods I feel like. If a tampon even goes near them they get all grossed out. I think that’s a little immature. While I wouldn’t go around talking about it just out of respect for other people I think it’s silly for someone to get so grossed out by it. It’s not a big deal like that. Well yeah, the whole concept is a little gross. I mean come on.. you are BLEEDING out of your vagina. But it’s immature to make a scene or something if someone says their on their period. I don’t know. I know it’s natural but it’s just not something I like to talk about or let people know is happening. I just don’t think people really need to talk about it. I don’t know it’s a hard topic. It’s not that I’m ashamed to be a woman and have a period. I just don’t like to share it because I feel like it makes people uncomfortable. I don’t think that this will ever change. As for the terms though, I don’t think bleeding is that bad.. however it does give a little more of a visual.
I think it’s awesome that you’re a girl and you’re happy that you do menstruate. I know my girlfriend always complains about being a girl and says she hates having her period, but I wish she was more like you, with how you look at the big picture and are thankful you’re fertile and you can be part of the miracle of child birth. Child birth is a huge thing, and nothing in this world comes for free. With it being a miracle, I agree that having a period can be looked upon as a beautiful thing. But looking at it from another perspective, perhaps in the toilet, is not quite beautiful. When Sam said he likes to look at his wife’s period in the toilet that was a little much. I am completely comfortable talking about periods, but with that being said I do think period blood is gross. Now I never looked at it but I do know its clotty and just not normal blood, which I think is gross. Say a guy had some health issues or an injury and he was bleeding out of his butt, pretty gross right? Before many boys know about them, they do wonder what happens and why it happens. Our society just never really educates boys on them because they don’t affect boys and this just is a continuing pattern that people grow up with and then pass this stigma onto the next generation. I feel like it all stems from the fact that people may be comfortable with periods, but they just really don’t see a reason to talk about it. But how girls act, or do not act regarding there periods is up to them. They can talk aloud about it if they would like and I know many guys would be fine with that. Or if their cramps are really painful- then stay home from work or school. A good reason to stay at home is when you do not feel well which can be the same from periods. So what I’m saying, if you do not feel well on your period, then stay home its perfectly fine, just a part of life that you have to deal with. And for the girls that say, “it’s a miracle but also is very inconvenient when you are not planning on having children anytime soon”, they really need to suck it up. Humans are not the only animals that are having periods. It’s just part of life’s’ cycles and if you’re going to undergo such a miracle as child birth- it’ll probably cost something. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure it’s a burden but sometimes you’ll just have to man-up (no pun intended) and deal with what comes with it.
After this week’s classes, I really felt the need to react to the whole “bleeding” situation. First of all I agree with the girl in the video; that term does not sit well with me. I honestly don’t really know why but I think it normalizes menstruation. I know that’s Sam’s point. He wants to know why people don’t see having their period as normal or okay. The term bleeding could refer to anyone bleeding from any part of their body, including men. This is my biggest issue. Men don’t have to deal with having a period. Sam likened menstruating to perspiring when in reality they are extremely different. Both men and women sweat while only women have a period. Sure, men may have to deal with the women in their lives when they are on their period but men don’t actually know what it’s like to be menstruating. Sam is challenging all the women to not be ashamed but I know that I am not ashamed. I completely understand that having my period is a natural function and I am comfortable talking about it in the right forum. I would say that I was disgusted to hear Sam talk about his wife’s cycle as if he knew what it was like. I am happy that he is trying to instill in men that it is okay to talk about but I just want men to be comfortable around the topic. I don’t actually want them to discuss my body like they know what’s going on. I get that this plays into gender roles and women’s issues but I personally have never felt oppressed because of my period. Of course, it is a pain in the neck but as a woman there have been much bigger issues that have caused me to be angry with our male-dominated society. Our nation was built on the words of our Founding Fathers, not mothers. Like Sam said, I am sure that if women signed the Declaration of Independence we would be living in a world full of tampon dispensers and heating pads. The fact of the matter is that we don’t live in a women’s world. Over the past few decades, women have become increasingly more dominant but too much time has passed and too much history has been made and I don’t think that women will ever fully get the respect they deserve. There are a lot of instances when women need to stand up for themselves more often and let men know that women can’t just be walked over. I don’t know if talking about periods and trying to elicit some sort of reaction from the female population in your class is the way to do it.
My feelings toward discussing the period issue are very mixed along with what I call it. I was totally shocked when Sam used the word bleeding. I would not have been so shocked if he would have used menstrual cycle of period just because those terms are not as visual. I feel like the more visual something is the more response or reaction we get to it. Bleeding is very visual especially for females because we have to see this each month. Some males may have been disgusted and wanted to leave the room because bleeding from anywhere else in your body may be okay, but from the vagina it could be seen as disgusting to them. This could be because they mostly associate this part of the body with sex and sex and blood just do not really go together. I think that is why the term bleeding received such uproar in the classroom. It all had to do with the visual aspects behind it. I personally am comfortable to an extent talking about my period to people. With other girls I am really comfortable and even warm them that I have it so expect me to be a bitch and in pain. They totally agree and we even joke about it because we can relate to each other. When I was younger I was embarrassed to send my dad to the store to buy me feminine products just because I was embarrassed to ask him. I was taught that this is something only females get so I thought we were the only ones who knew about it. Boy, was I wrong.
As I grew up and started dating I became more open to discussing my period because of course I would be in pain and be highly emotional, which in turn made the bitch in me come out even more. My boyfriends wanted to know why the drastic change and I would tell them because I had my period. I didn’t feel weird telling them because they had sisters and they understood. We wouldn’t talk about it though and that was good, but I definitely got everything I wanted for that whole week. It was amazing and I definitely took advantage of it. With some of my male friends it is a different story. I could have the worst cramps ever and they could ask me what is wrong and I would tell them my stomach hurts. They would immediately ask me if I had eaten or had to use the BR because that would be their reason for their stomach hurting. When I would smack them and say no it’s cramps idiots they would say ohh and leave me alone. With a stranger or boys I do not really know I don’t warn them that it is that time of the month. If they feel my wrath then I’m sorry, but I’m just not comfortable with that. It may be because just what Sam had said. This is a man’s world and some of them are just not educated in this topic, so why bother discussing it with someone who will be disgusted right off the bat.
As a man, I really don’t think that the whole idea about women having their period and the menstrual cycle they go through is a big deal. It is a part of life and every woman goes through it, regardless of who they are. I completely agreed with Sam in class that people need to stop overreacting about the whole issue. I know that women are hesitant to talk about the topic in front of other men, and this is understandable. However, it really shouldn’t be a big deal and people should be able to speak freely about it because it is a huge part of a woman’s life. I am not sure why women should have to keep it a secret from other people because a woman’s period is not that big of a deal. People who overreact to the topic need to grow up and mature a little bit because every single woman has a menstrual cycle. I do agree however, that Sam was a little bit too aggressive when talking about the topic and said some things that were a bit touchy. I understood his point and where he was going, but the examples he used were way too descriptive and personal. I really don’t need to know about Sam’s wife’s menstrual cycle, but the menstrual cycle in general is important to understand. I know that growing up, I was surrounded by several people who were very open about having their period and would mention it multiple times or have it known that they had their period at a given time. Although that is a bit odd because most people don’t experience other people being so open about the topic, I think that being around that growing up made me realize that a woman having her period really isn’t a big deal at all. If women feel comfortable talking about what they are experiencing at a given time, then they should go for it and express how they are feeling. However, I completely understand if a woman does not want to talk about it to other people because it is a personal issue and some people are not as open as others. I think that men do need to loosen up and become more open to learning more about it because it does affect women a great deal. When us men get older and have serious girlfriends or wives, we will be hearing about their menstrual cycle very often, so I don’t think it hurts to learn a little bit more about it now before experiencing it in full blast. Thinking back to high school health classes, I never remember talking about women getting their period, but I do recall my teachers talking about masturbation. I’m not sure why we don’t learn more about a woman’s menstrual cycle in health classes because it would definitely ease people into the topic.
In the beginning of the semester, and several times since then, Sam has told us quite blatantly that he would discuss topics and issues that would make people uncomfortable so in a sense, those who were offended or confused by the terminology or topic kind of should have known that their day to feel uneasy was coming. Perhaps some of those people opted to leave, but I hope that some of the people who were feeling uncomfortable or offended stayed to hear Sam’s opinion and maybe experience some growth from pushing their comfort zone a little. There has been a lot of talk, particularly raised by my classmate in this video, about the term “bleeding” to describe menstrual cycles. Perhaps I am being overly un-sensitive to the issue or perhaps I am in the minority but, as a woman I was not offended by the term because and it almost seems an extremely direct and upfront manner of summing up menstruation than some of the other, less obvious terms we have adopted, almost like a code or secret language, to cover up what actually is occurring. I also agree completely with my classmate in the notion that being a woman and having the ability to have children is a miraculous, beautiful thing and our monthly cycles are a product of that beautiful, natural ability. Our fertility makes us women and forms us in so many ways many that we may not even be directly aware of that I can see how some would perceive bleeding as a beautiful fact of life instead of a hindrance.
Additionally, I would like to question why people men and women alike seem to be so uncomfortable about the topic of bleeding. It is not like it is a new invention or something that only a select few people in the world do. Bleeding is not a phenomenon but rather a normal occurrence that may need some more light shed upon. Men know women have periods, women clearly know and experience periods monthly I am slightly interested in why this topic seems so taboo. Perhaps because men do not experience bleeding, they feel like they cannot relate and do not want to discuss something they see as primarily a woman’s concern. Perhaps because women have never taken the issue public, rarely do you hear of women proclaiming, with the exception of my classmate here perhaps, they are bleeding, or maybe it has to do with education and that men are generally shooed away from the topic from an early age. Whatever the reasoning, I think that although the topic may continue to be deemed taboo or indecent it is an issue that half of the world deals with on a monthly basis and the problems associated with menstruating should no longer be swept under a rug of social stigmas.
I'm disappointed I wasn't able to be in class when Sam shed the light on "bleeding". This is a funny thing to speak about in a soc class that is centered around race relations. I kind of want to know how it even came about that you seemed to get on this topic as a class. So could somebody share the light with me how how we came to discuss such a thing. Coming to class on Thursday and having the first fifteen to twenty minutes of class be about menstruating was a bit mind boggling to me but after seeing all of these posts it must have been a pretty heated topic.
But I agree, why do people make a big deal out of this completely natural occurrence? I do know some females that have no problem announcing it to a room, if they feel shitty they basically say back off.. I'm on my period; then all the guys in the room cringe in disgust and it can get a little on the quiet side. Its nothing more then blood coming from an opening in a body, guys wouldn't get all grossed out if a girl fell down and skinned her knee on the sidewalk, well most guys that is. It goes back to our conditioning as children I suppose, you are taught that it isn't appropriate to be talking about. Why isn't it appropriate though? Just like Sam said on Thursday, people don't talk about their hair growing or their toenails growing, not that I could see a conversation even arising from such a comment. I say wow my beard is getting long you say maybe you should shave and I'll say you know you're right. The End. There really is no rhyme or reason to why we do or don't talk about this phenomenon that is menstruation. I feel like it shouldn't be that big of a deal though, I don't know how it could change though. Guys are not going to go out of their way to ask questions about what they feel is a touchy subject and women are not going to go out of their way to educate men on a topic they feel men want nothing to do with. I agree it is a miracle that without something that is considered so gross by many people in the world today is one of the factors that comes into play when creating life. Think back to your high school health class and you learned all about the body and how it works. You know there is no way you could have a baby with out a period or "bleeding" so I almost feel like it should be celebrated not despised. Perhaps its only despised because it makes you feel so shitty. I wouldn't know as a man how horrible it can make you feel, but I think its funny, Sam is probably right in saying men would be making a contest out of it seeing who can have the bigger period. That's just the nature of guys, everything is a competition, and we're always trying to one of the guy before us.
I completely agree with you! I do not see what the big deal is about not wanting to talk about periods. I mean I do not have a problem talking about it, and I am happy that I do menstruate, as annoying as it is. When Sam was talking about how his wife will go into the bathroom and and about every 28 days or so he hears her say "FUCK!" I could totally relate to that. That is my general response to realizing that I have my period. Let's face it, periods are annoying, you can get bloated, cramps, headaches, etc., and yes, I do realize I sound like a commercial for Yaz or Midol, but its true. Despite all the bad things associated with a period, I am grateful that I do have a period, because it does mean that I am able to create the miracle of life, without women menstruating reproduction would come to a stand still, which clearly would not be a good thing. I unfortunately have some issues with my period. My period last very long and it is usually a very heavy flow. I am extremely iron deficient due to a gluten intolerance, gluten is a protein in wheat, malt, rye, spelt, millet, and barley. It really sucks. Basically what happens when you are gluten intolerant ingesting gluten causes you to be malnourished because it flattens the cilia in your intestines. What does this have to do with periods you might ask. Well basically, I am so iron deficient that it can be detrimental to my health to bleed every month so my doctor has me on birth control that stops my period for a couple of months at a time. This has helped me regain my iron, which was lost while I was eating gluten. Which I mean does not really bother me it is nice not having to worry about bringing a tampon with me everywhere. Overall however I do appreciate the fact that I do have a period and that I can reproduce. The miracle of life is so wonderful and I am so happy that I am able to reproduce. I would not give it up for the world. And as for guys having a period I am happy that they do not. I like that this is unique to my gender. Also I mean I kind of just think blood is gross in general it does not matter where it comes from. Whether it is your finger, vagina, leg, etc. It is gross. And sort of freaks me out. It has nothing to do with the fact that it is associated with menstruating. So if Sam wants to talk about menstruating, just do not say "bleeding" that freaks people out.
I would have to say that the only reason people were in such shock was because of the word "bleeding" For some that word comes along a picture and that picture isnt really good. I know for one i dont like when people know when i am on my menstrual just because it is my body. i dont need everyone to know my business. I feel that sam using that word just because of the shock value it would have brought and it sure did deliver. I didnt see the big deal..yet there are some people who just cant seem to "mature" enough to handle this kind of topic. I know in class it definitely caught me by surprise but when sam escalated to saying that he wants to actual "see" it, thats where i drew the line. i feel for me personally i really didnt want to know what he and his wife do on that subject or for any subject for that matter, yet people dont flinch when someone talks about sex. what is the difference? is there a difference? menstruation is a beautiful thing, for me in a way. now the effects that go along with it arent as pleasant but the thought that i can bring a child into this world is definitely something that i think about. Yet bringing a child into this world is painful and a very difficult task.
period, flow, elmo whatever it is that you (women) call it, its still the same thing. i am a woman. i embrace that and all of its "curses" as many say that comes along with it.
I think in that class it went completely left field with this topic I thought it was kind of stupid because it had absolutely nothing to do with race relations what so ever. But I feel as though at the age we are now it shouldn’t be a surprise at all the females menstruate its part of the life cycle and there is no way of changing it. As a male I have some female friends and I’ll admit it does kind of creep me out sometimes to the point where I have to walk away. But at the same token its something that we have to deal with I guess its no different from people who sweat under their arm pits. It happens and there’s nothing you can really do it is what it is and people just have to accept it and get over it. I feel like in high school we’ve talked about this same issue about women and when there on their cycle and what happens. I think it’s good because if women didn’t menstruate then we wouldn’t be here. I think it comes with a level of maturity you know when people hear stories like this it makes it very uneasy to be around. I think the way Sam cam off in class he should have really just thought about what he said before he went and said it because it triggered some people to leave and I think that comes from the shock value that he has. I guess it’s not as shocking to most people until it’s brought up and asked. But at the same token with this blog post I don’t necessarily feel like a 450 word blog post is really relevant because I feel like where all at the age where we should understand how a women’s body works. So I don’t think anyone should feel offended I think it’s a time and a place to talk about certain things and I felt like at that point in time Sams class wasn’t the appropriate time. Furthermore I thought it was pretty funny how he talked about how if her were a female and he was “bleeding” and how he would react I thought that was kind of funny how he poked fun at the situation because it looked as though the room got really uneasy after he made his mentions. But all in all I think that for people to not feel so uncomfortable with the situation I think it’s the level of maturity you have to have because it’s a normal thing I just think the time you talk about it has to be appropriate and not just throw out there for kicks.
What’s the big deal with menstruation? There is no big deal with menstruation, but you're turning it into one!
The last two days in class, this “bleeding” topic has come up and it’s starting to get a little old. I thought that Sam’s explanation on his view’s on the topic was very interesting yesterday, but at the same time, I still think it’s odd that we feel the need to keep talking about it. Yes, I am a woman, and yes I bleed! I am not currently bleeding and it is not something that I particularly find hard to talk about, but it is something that I’ve gotten over at this point in my life and I honestly don’t see the reason or need to talk about it at all. Yes, I realize that all of us women have to go through it. It is awesome that we can give birth thanks to this monthly maniac but at the same time, who cares?
I am a woman who has had my period for quite sometime and I really don’t care to talk about it. I don’t feel like my voice is being oppressed or that it is wrong to talk about it, I just don’t see a point. The women that I do know talk about their monthly periods but they don’t go into details about how much they’re bleeding or continually complain about their lives when they’re on the rag. I have even talked to past boyfriends and guy friends about my period by simply warning them of my PMS. But more than that, why do men need to know about that?
I know Sam used the example of how is female bleeding any different than bleeding from another part of your body, and for some of us, it is just as gross. I personally hate blood! If I don’t have to ever look at blood for the rest of my life, I would be one happy girl. But unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury. But, I do have the luxury of not talking about or discussing this topic as well. I don’t think it’s fair that Sam is almost forcing us to talk about this topic when I, myself, the woman who does actually go through this monthly event doesn’t want to. I understand that Sam has lived with his wife and been around “bleeding” but he doesn’t have to physically go through that experience. Unless you do go through that experience, I don’t think you can fully talk about the experience.
I do appreciate that Sam is using our class to open up discussion on this topic that does seem to be a matter of conversation not widely talked about. But, he needs to realize that us women, the ones who he is talking about, do not fully appreciate this and simply might not want to talk about bleeding.
I agree with her, I also think that saying "bleeding" is a bad way to talk about periods or a woman's menstrual cycle. I know when I think of bleeding I think of somebody being hurt and rushed to hospital or crippled. And having a period is not crippling at all. I also can understand why she is happy for having her period. Like she said at least she know that she is fertile and is able to have children, and I think that right there is a good enough reason, because there is a lot of women in this world that cannot have children and they wish they can.
To me I think having a period is a good thing for woman's bodies because it cleanses on insides and the old blood and toxins is being released from our bodies. Having a period is just part of being a woman, just like having sperm is part of being a man. However I do not understand why many girls are embarrass to talk about having their periods because it is a normal thing to have, I would be worried and not talk about it if I didn't have it. I think woman needs to be proud of having periods because, for one it's going to be with us for most of our natural lives.
Guys also need to learn how to be more open about talking about periods and being around when woman talk about their periods and not leave the room, because for one, if and when a guy gets married to a beautiful woman, she will also have her period and there is probably nothing worse than having a man/husband who don't know anything a woman's menstrual cycle. Plus I don't get it, what is soooo gross about it? Everyone has seen blood before in their lifetimes more than enough. But I do want to give shouts to the guys that are educated and don't mind talking about periods and even the guys who like to have sex with their girlfriends while she is on her period.
And another thing, this is really random, but in my discussion group I had a thought and I ask, what do you think women in third world countries do while they are on their periods, since they don't have pad and tampons like we do here in America?
I know that when I was growing up I had two older sisters and they always had they "girl talk" with me, so I was excited! I couldn't wait until I was old enough to get my period. I thought that the girls that already had their periods before me were so cool and more mature than me. And I am also "bleeding" RIGHT NOW, haha.
First off, good for you for admitting it. I would not be so proud of this. In fact, I am disgusted every 28 days by this issue. Yes, sometimes I am thankful it comes as opposed to some women older than I who are glad it hasn’t because they wanted a child. I do not want a kid right now. But, I do not want to know the details of other women’s lives. It is okay to tell me you have your period, but not to tell me what it looks like, that someone else looks at it, etc. I am proud to be a woman but I hate that we go through this every month and suffer from cramps, bloating, and irritability (by the way men, this is scientifically proven, PMS is not a myth) while men do not feel the same. Please don’t give me your details ladies just as we do not want guys giving us details about their shits.
There are some things that are part of nature and human life that we simply do not talk or think about (in great detail) because they are unpleasant. A woman’s menstrual cycle is something that is natural, but also not the nicest thing to discuss. The fact that it is something only women are able to experience only makes matters worse. How would everyone feel if all of a sudden Sam linked the discussion to diarrhea? It is completely natural. “I want to express how functional my digestive system is.” The reproductive system is no different. Or perhaps we could talk about coughing up mucous? Maybe about snot? I am not saying that women should be ashamed about their menstrual cycle, but it should not be something that we talk about openly like we did in class. The list of natural body functions that are unpleasant to talk about goes on and on.
There is definitely a double standard surrounding issues like menstruation. Why is it that women speak openly about their reproductive cycles, but if a male would speak out and be “proud” of his ability to reproduce he would be ridiculed? Not that I condone either sex talking about things like this, but I can very easily picture the uproar that would ensue from a move towards a “men’s rights” movement. The situation with the menstrual cycle is exactly how Sam describes the situation “at the race table.” The white people hold their tongues because they are afraid of saying something wrong. This holds true for discussions about menstruation. Men will immediately feel uncomfortable, but are not allowed to say anything about it for fear of coming across as sexist. It is not sexist to feel awkward about certain bodily functions. The act of calling someone sexist for not wanting to talk about menstruation is sexist in itself. Just because menstruation is specific to women does not mean that people should try to be open about it in an effort to be more understanding. We might as well bring everything out into the open, like vomit, snot, and infections.
That being said, maybe Sam had a very important reason for bringing up “bleeding.” Like I said before, this is an example of never knowing exactly how someone else feels. I will never know what it feels like to have a menstrual cycle. I have accepted that fact. I think that what many people need to realize is that they will never know how people of other races feel like. You might have an idea, but you can never know exactly how they feel. Once everyone accepts this fact, race relations will be much easier, and many things will be put into a much better perspective.
tl;dr periods are gross, so are many other body functions, so its not sexist.
It is hilarious how she is mad because Sam reference to her thing as bleeding, well that is what it is, Girls bleed approximately every 28 days. At least, some girls are proud of it, it is part of being a female so deal with it, and it is natural. I don’t understand why many girls feel uncomfortable talking about it. If men can find the audacity to talk about how many times they masturbate, so women should be fine talking about their period. Other girls learn how to deal with and they use it in their advantage, for example, she just asked us to be nice with our comments. Many other girls love their period because they don’t want to have sex. I mean it would be a gross thing to do with their period but many of them are just using to get out of having sex with their partners.
Ha Ha! Your comment is too funny! I think that more girls should be more confident with them and should be more comfortable to talk about their periods. I mean it is a natural thing and it happens to almost every woman.I think we should be happy and embrace it, I mean we have our own personal built in pregnancy test. And on your comment on male masturbation, I agree, men talk freely about it and while women are left saying, "mum's the word" when it comes to "Bleeding". I think that can be posed to our society being male-dominated.
When I heard the term “bleeding” from Sam used to describe periods I really wasn’t that disgusted with it. I mean, isn’t that what happens when you get your period. When people say they are taking a shit they say they are pooping, not that they are defecating. I was completely shocked to see how disgusted people got with the term bleeding. I even saw that some of the students were leaving the room rather than listen to Sam use that term. If Sam was talking about somebody bleeding from a cut, I severely doubt whether anyone would have left the room or been disgusted by him talking.
I completely agree with you. I feel that the class was way to dramatic and made too much of a big deal over nothing. I think it was either the setting of the conversation, the speaker presenting the conversation, or the audience and the peers surrounding that made the conversation of 'bleeding" an uncomfortable one. Whatever the case i felt the whole "song and dance" session with the additional uproar was extremely uncalled for. I mean you would have thought we were an etiquette school in Great Britain, but no we're not, we're the the #1 Party school in the nation!
I think the class was so shocked about the our talk, or rather, class discussion about "bleeding" or namely menstruation or period, because it is so taboo in today's society. Like Sam said, we are in a male dominated society and the anatomy of a woman is the last thing on anyone's mind, even that of a woman's own mind. Moreover bleeding has always had a negative connotation and we are in a society where people like to 'sugar coat" and find "big words" for the blatant and most simplest words. We like things to seem cleaner, nicer, and neater than what they really are, all in an effort to have to go through that "awkward" feeling in life, although it's obviously inevitable.
My period for example, is horrible, the worst of the worst, the pits of hell, in fact, it's hell on steroids! I have the heaviest bleeding known to man, you would think i would die of blood lost. My period is so bad it has caused me to have health problems, such as Anemia. My Anemia, then causes me to get lightheaded, dizzy, fatigue, cold in warm temperatures, and a whole host of ill- nature symptoms. And as one might have guessed most of these symptoms are in parallel with the symptoms to the regular period. This is the exact cause of my ranting and raving, I have to deal with the symptoms of my period to the second power, with the addition of my Anemia.
"Bleeding" , or one's menstrual cycle, or period, or when they are on "the rag" is a touchy topic and can make one comfortable, when talked about, but it is what it is: a simple act of nature taking its course. Which is the same as breathing, passing gas, blinking, and so forth.
Sam's point was a good one, but one that was a little off. He asked what the big deal was about bleeding, and he compared it to bleeding from one's finger. I see where he was trying to go with the comparison, but he failed to look at, or further, he didn't care about the fact that one's finger and one's genital area are to vastly different things. When bleeding comes from the finger it is looked at as a normal thing, because it happens to both men and women alike. Like Sam has stated , we are in a "male-dominated" society, where males don't have the same genital parts as women. So when we hear about 'bleeding' coming from a seemingly uncommon or minority, we tend to look at it sideways, with our jaws agape. We act as if we are surprised and unbeknown to the fact that women go through these changes "down there" This is funny compared to the amount of male impotency and male prostate commercials that are in heavy rotation on television today.
The word "bleeding" is interesting, and I took offense to it to, just as this girl did. "Bleeding" for some reason is more uncomfortable, at least for me, then "menstruation", or "period". I think it's because its the act of actually what is happening, and that is what people are uncomfortable about. Ok, let's be honest, the topic of periods is a pretty gross one. The idea of bleeding from a vagina is just pretty nasty, and that's the way we were socialized to think. On the other hand, if men bled from their penis' I think we'd all be just as grossed out and uncomfortable, I know I would be. I also agree with this girl about her happiness about having her period. Although it is annoying, uncomfortable, and often times a painful experience, I am grateful for my ability to one day give birth; I hope to one day become a mother. It is a natural process and it is beautiful, however Sam pushed this "natural process" argument a little too far. He compared it to hair growing, toe nails growing (which is gross too) and hunger. Bleeding from your vagina is not the same!
Although the issue of periods is a very uncomfortable one, it is one that men do have to be open to learn about though! Girls can share information about their periods with other girls without feeling ashamed. But to share this information and talk about periods with another guy, does not happen, because guys never want to hear about it. Guys make no effort to open up to it and understand it, which is understandable, however in order to understand women guys, you have to open up a little! In order to understand you girlfriend's, sister's, wife's, mother's mood swings, sicknesses, and weird symptoms (like the clumsiness and lack of vision I get during my period) guys need to make an effort and simply get over it. Support us guys, because without us, you would never have been born in the first place . We, as women, are the breeders and the care takers, you just help in the process. Open up to what made you and the sex who will continue your line and legacy. Bleeding, an uncomfortable subject? Most definitely. Needed to be talked about? Absolutely.
Like a lot of the students in class, both male and female, I spent a good chunk of my life thinking periods were gross and weird and not something to be discussed. It wasn't really until I took a women's studies class in college that I took a closer look at some of the crazy things women go through and put themselves through just to avoid having anyone (sometimes even just other women) find out that they're bleeding (as Sam likes to put it).
For any men (or even women) who may not be in the know, think about some of this stuff. Women find all sorts of ingenious ways to hide their pads and tampons. We buy tampons that are smaller, tampons that are advertised as having silent wrappers (to keep the woman in the next stall over from hearing you unwrap it), and tampons that are scented (despite the fact that blood only smells once it's outside the body). We don't tell people when we're on our periods, and often we'll even deny it if asked (just take the example in class when Sam asked girls to raise their hands if they were bleeding). If we have to miss an event because of cramps, we'll lie and say we just felt sick, or, at best, we'll give the excuse of 'women's issues,' which is sure to ensure that no professor or boss enquires any further.
I think part of it is certainly related to the 'gross out' factor–we're socialized to believe that periods are gross and shouldn't be talked about. But part of it is also related to some very non-gross issues surrounding periods.
Almost every woman can relate a story of at some point in her life being accused of PMSing. This happens occasionally when women act irritable, grumpy, or even just try to assert themselves. I've even heard PMS-related comments made to men when they're perceived as being irritable or whiny (for example, one man asking another if he needs any Motrin or Midol). Women often have to deal with accusations and comments like these, which paint us as being irrational and unreasonable in the face of our periods. So if we know that telling people we're bleeding is more likely to garner their disdain than their sympathy, why would we do this to ourselves?
PMS is particularly frustrating because it is doubly hurtful. Not only do women get a lot of crap for it, but PMS itself is real (though some women don't really get it, and the ways in which it exhibits itself are manifold), and it's incredibly frustrating. I think a lot of men can't really relate what it's like to be having an emotion that you don't want and can't really control. I guess the closest thing most men are probably familiar with is their sex drive, particularly around puberty when their hormones are going crazy. Just imagine what the world would be like if men's sexual urges were scoffed at as being irrational and even perhaps 'hysterical.' I wouldn't be surprised if, after a while, men ceased being vocal about their sexual urges.
I understand where the people are coming from that believe that there shouldn’t be a big deal about discussing women’s menstrual cycle, but I personally feel that it doesn’t really matter if we discuss it more or not, because the world isn’t going to change or accommodate to females more, so there really isn’t a point in discussing it more other than educating the males that you know in your life.
I got my first period when I was 12 years old in the seventh grade on Valentine’s Day during my lunch period; I will never forget that day. Unfortunately, I am one of those girls who suffer tremendous pain during the first two days of the menstrual cycle. When I start my cycle, I get migraines and cramps and I feel nauseous, usually I end up vomiting, and sometimes I even have feverish symptoms. I had to suffer with these symptoms for about five years until my mother finally took me to the doctor where they prescribed me with sodium naproxen pills which lessen my horrible symptoms.
Before I was prescribed the sodium naproxen, I would miss school because of the pain. I remember being in cheerleading practice one day in high school and I didn’t feel well because of my cramps; I had asked to sit out and surprisingly, my coach, who was a female, was insensitive to my situation and told me to continue practicing. From then on, I realized that the world, including females, didn’t care if I or any other female was suffering or not, so I decided to never discuss it to anyone anymore.
I was always taught to be discrete when it came to menstrual cycles by my mother; she called it being a lady. She always told me to never to let anyone know that I was on my period and to always make sure that I flush my tampon down the toilet and if I use a pad, to wrap it up with tissue nice and tight so you wouldn’t see any blood or anything and put in the bottom of the trash can.
Basically, as I grew up, I realized that our culture and the people in it tell women to be discrete about our periods, don’t mention it, and don’t use it as an excuse to get out of anything. I don’t feel shy about talking about the topic, I discussed it with my boyfriends before, but it would never be a regular topic of discussion. Personally, I wouldn’t have sex while being on my period; I think that’s disgusting for both the male and the female.
Although I do agree with what Sam was saying on how it isn’t any different from discussing on how your hair grows or how your nails grow because it is something completely natural, I think that the main reason why people don’t like discussing periods is because it’s not only about blood, but its blood that comes out of your vagina; most people, male or female feel a little uncomfortable with discussing anything that has to do with private parts.
Period. The word itself doesn’t really sound nice. But neither does menstruating, or bleeding, or whatever anyone else calls it for that matter. I know that if you look at it from a different perspective, it is beautiful and incredible in the fact that it creates life. However, most people don’t look at it that way. I don’t even look at it that way. And I definitely wouldn’t expect a guy, someone who doesn’t ever have to experience this, to think about it that way.
I don’t think until the time I plan on having children I will ever think of it as a miracle/beautiful occurrence. Ever since that awful day in February of sixth grade, it has been a burden. It has made me feel tired, irritable, weak, and caused my skin to break out every month for the past eight years of my life. I don’t like talking about it for the most part. To me it’s gross and I have nothing good to say about it. I see it as a sign of weakness to complain about something the rest of females have to deal with, too. Yes, some have it worse than others, but either way it’s going to come every month so you might as well make the best of it. However, I do have to admit, it makes everything a little bit more difficult.
For example, when I go somewhere for the day while I have my period, I have to remember enough tampons. I constantly worry about bleeding through or hoping there’s a bathroom where I’m going. I still do all the same things I would on a normal day but feel a little shittier. I hate when people know I have my period though so I try to act normal. Maybe that is because I always hang out with guys or because I generally don’t like seeming unhappy/in pain.
Here’s my tangent. The main reason I think “men run this world” is because having a menstrual cycle is a disadvantage. I am a woman and truly believe that. I can’t pee standing up. I can’t fight in a foreign country for months without having some form of sanitary napkin. Having a period holds women back and I think to be equal we have to act like it doesn’t affect us. We need to deal with it and now have the so called technology to do so. Tampons are one of the best inventions ever. As an athlete I wouldn’t have been able to compete without them, swim without them, and honestly feel comfortable while menstruating without them. Yes it is an honor to be the carrier of and give birth to a child but it is a legitimate disadvantage in this sense of equality to be a woman.
When I hear men speak of women's menstrual cycle or say its disgusting because it is none of their business. Back in the day, men were men knew that women have that period and respected it today, most people are just plain out rude about it. If a woman says she is on her menstrual cycle, "period", they automatically assume that she is going to be moody and if they do something that would normally agitate her, they fault her period for her showing emotion. That also proves why when Sam asked who was on there cycle at first, very few raised their hand but when the men were told to close their eyes more hands went on. Women do not want the negative baggage that most associate with this "beautiful" phenomenon so they keep it to themselves. I think thats the best way to do it. Its no ones perogative if and when you bleed. If that was the case of tampons, pads and whatever else is used to prevent from others from knowing that a woman is on her cycle would be pointless.
First, I agree with you about the fact that the term "bleeding" is kind of disrespectful and Sam could have used better wording like menstruation or period. I think this is a big reason why a lot of people felt awkward and why a lot of people left the class. Hearing the word "bleeding" makes me cringe and just makes you actually think of what is going on during a girl's period, but if Sam were to say period I think a lot more people would have felt comfortable because that term is accepted a lot more than bleeding. I personally have no problem talking about this topic, especially because I have a girlfriend and talk to her about it, but when Sam said bleeding I even got weirded and grossed out. Talking about the topic and all doesn't bother me one bit but saying bleeding just puts the image in your head and I know that's not an image a lot of people want to have in their head.
I guess the term for period that Sam used such as "bleeding" was kinda a shock and in a way uncalled for but why is it such a big deal? Sam did say we lived a man's world and through that world we live in a way where we cant talk about women's period openly. The topic is something that you can openly discuss and talk about out in the open. Women do not really want to discuss their experience in their period stage cause its something to them not worth to be proud and say "its great having a period." From what i experience from my friends who are females, when they have periods, it is hard for them to be happy about it nor enjoy it. The topic of period or Sam's term "bleeding" follow in the lines of hush hush topics of sex and masturbation. These topics are thing that mostly not many people would want to share nor does our public want to express interest in sharing it. I guess when Sam talked about bleeding, it shocked many people because it was out of the norm. What student would expect his teacher to ask her if she was bleeding right now in class? Not many female students are willing or want to to show to the rest of the class that they are going through a stage in their period. I notice that alot of girls were disgusted and left the class room due to anger and being disgusted to know that their professor Sam would disgust something so hush hush openly to the rest of the class. They have the right to because we live in a world where it is considered wrong and out of the norm to openly to talk about bleeding that women go through to rest of the class. But if we live in a women's world (as Sam) things would be different, reaction would be different, hush hush topics would be different, and the student response to Sam's comments on bleeding would be different from what it was.
Way to be a bleeder! Whoo Hoo! I’m so glad this woman had the courage to come out and talk about her period. I think it is so cool how she looked at the issue in a different spectrum. I think women often times take for granted fertility. I know a child is not something most women are hoping to gain from college, but I think we forget sometimes that not all women have the ability to give birth. I agree with this woman, and think it is awesome how she was empowered by the very thing that made many of us uncomfortable the other day in class. Bleeding is a natural process. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and remember to be nice to this girl too, cause she’ll kick your ass if you don’t!
To be honest I don’t even know where to start, whether Sam’s comments or about the actual topic of “that time of the month.” Well, first of all, in class on Tuesday, I believe the reaction that the class, OF 700 PEOPLE, gave Sam was completely understandable. There are most guys who don’t want to talk about it, then there are the guys who don’t care, and there are the women. However, in a class of 700 people, I don’t understand the necessity to talk about the menstrual cycle, WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT TO THE CLASS DISCUSSION. I believe the reaction wouldn’t have been as bad as it was if Sam had used different words or if he wasn’t so graphical or if he just didn’t say some things. For example, for guys the menstrual cycle, period, or that time of the month, are completely understandable names for having a period, but when Sam blurted out about “bleeding,” it just gave me an image in my head that I didn’t want there. Of course I know what happens and during the menstrual cycle girls bleed, but it was completely unnecessary to use that term. In addition, not only was Sam bringing up a huge topic to begin with, he said he liked to look at his wife’s blood because it’s art. There is only one phrase for that, “that’s fucking weird.”
Now, for some guys, it may be a touchy subject and they don’t want to hear anything about a period, but I personally don’t care one way or another. When I was growing up, I knew about the menstrual cycle and what happens, but I didn’t want to know anymore than I did because I thought it was gross. However, after I started dating my ex, she was very, very open about it and even joked around about it when she was on it. After a few months of her joking around, I realized that it really is that gross and there is nothing girls can do about it. Now having that said, if a girl or guy or group wants to talk about the menstrual cycle, I would be all about it and I wouldn’t care either way if we did or didn’t. I understand it sucks and trust me I would never want to have a period because from what I hear they suck. Regardless, even though I don’t mind talking about it and know about the menstrual cycle, I don’t want to know anymore than I do. I don’t want to know how to use a tampon or what the blood looks like in the toilet. I am perfectly content with knowing as much as I do now and even though I will still talk about the subject to anyone, I found Sam’s lecture about the topic completely unnecessary/irrelevant/weird.
Periods, Bleeding, Menstruating, time of month, or whatever else you want to call it, it happens! We cant deny it happens, and feel ashamed to talk about it. Like Sam said, if it wasn't for periods we would not exist. So why are we so reluctant to talk about it? Ill tell you why, its because we live in a society governed by men. If we lived in a women's world this would not even be an issue, and everyone would discuss their menstruation openly. I feel in the past women were silenced in many different ways. From not being able to work in many jobs, to being seen as less intelligent their has always been discrimination towards females. Believe it or not I think the "not talking about the time of the month" is also part of this silencing of the past. Men did not want to be concerned with the needs and struggles of women. It was up to women to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of. The men's job was to work and bring home the bacon, the female was supposed to keep everything else in check. The men did not want to sit around discussing how menstruation affects women, and why should they living in a man dominated world? Right?
Well time are changing and I think this needs to stop. Women are getting into jobs they never thought were possible. From becoming doctors to engineers, or astronauts, the sky is the limit. Obviously there are still many more obstacles faced by women to get to this positions but it is much more likely to achieve than it was in the past. Why not make it easier for women. Why not keep fighting to take away even more obstacles. One of these obstacles is the openness of the "period" talk. If a woman wants to talk about it she should be able to without scrutiny and if not then thats totally fine too. She should however have the option to discuss this natural process without feeling judged by men.
Im not saying that men should be looking at the blood in the toilet, elaborating how "beautiful" it is like Sam does. But you guys need to realize what we go through during this time of month. You may think that we act bitchy or emotional but honestly you guys would definitely act a million times worse if you have blood gushing out of your reproductive organs. So please try to be considerate once in a while. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for this bodily function, so have some respect. Im not saying to have constant discussions about how heavy your girlfriend is bleeding, but if you notice that she isn't in a good mood try to respect what she is going through and understand. Lets start talking about what affects our lives, therefore taking down the barriers we built once and for all.
I agree that it was certainly interesting to observe the reactions of my fellow classmates when this topic was brought up. Watching people leave the class and the reactions of everybody else made me think, “so what really is the big deal?” Clearly something was causing discomfort amongst the class.
My first reaction to this issue was that it’s a no-brainer as to why people may view menstruation as “gross.” Think about it; the topic pertains to anatomical things like blood and female reproductive organs. A combination of the two can clearly make people uncomfortable. It’s not fair that people would simply leave upon hearing the word “period,” but this at least provides us some sort of explanation as to why people were reacting the way they were.
My second thought was about the reactions of the men in the class. While women seemed to take it in stride, the men in the class had reactions ranging from confusion to disgust. The reasoning for this is simple; men do not experience menstruation cycles, so men are unfamiliar with most (if not all) things about it. People react badly to what they do not know about; it’s a fear of the unknown. It may sound silly, but it makes sense. If men knew more about this natural phenomenon, then would their reactions have been less extreme? I am confident they would have been.
One thing Professor Richards brought up also made me think deeper about this issue. He told the class that without menstruation, none of us would be here. As gross as people thought menstruation was, he brings up a valid point. Why is something so vital to life so taboo? It is easy to go back to the whole anatomical nature of the issue, but that does not lower its importance to life. It was an interesting point to bring up. Maybe if we saw it less of a “disgusting” thing but as a natural part of life, it would not be such a huge deal.
I think this whole issue goes back to sex education in the United States today. When I learned about menstruation, it was explained to me as some kind of mysterious phenomenon that lacked proper explanation. It naturally confused us, and at such a young age that can turn out to be the exact opposite of what sex education should accomplish. Things like menstruation and other things pertaining to human sexuality should be better embraced in society as natural. I know many people would be against such action (“Think of the children!”) but do they deserve to be left in the dark? The more menstruation is explained as natural in sex ed courses, the less of a taboo subject it will become.
For most of my teenage life I would not mention out loud about my bleeding. I'm not sure why but even though I knew it was happening to all the other girls we all kept it like a big seceret and boys couldn't know about it or you would be made fun of. I was in wal-mart one day with my mom when I was around 14, and as my mom and I were passing the women toiletries aisle my mom lowered her voice and whispered "so do you need tampons?" . I've always wondered why people, even two women, can't say tampon, pad, period, PMS, or menstruate out loud in public without getting any strange looks or maybe some jokes. It gets pretty ridiculous when you think about all the natural occurrences that happen in everybody everyday life can't be discussed.
Bleeding is just as natural as life, death, birth and illness. It happens to every child-bearing woman. it happens every 28 days and without its monthly visits in the first place there would be us. I'm not saying that it should be celebrated or commended but at least acknowledge that its not a joke or an excuse and its not that yucky. Its sometimes annoying, tedious and painful but a good thing.
I do believe that if table were turned and if men menstruated, and if that was the case they would also be the ones giving birth, that bleeding would be set much more in the main stream. All of the "gross" details about bleeding that guys would rather not hear about now, would be known. nothing would be whispered or put into code(e.g. not feeling well, belly aches).
I don't think that anyone is deliberately trying to be sexist. I think it has more to do with how we are told and raised how to act and what to say in certain situations like periods, sex, race, and death.
Not to mention that every girl remembers her first period most of the time with some details. So if its a big part of all of our life's why aren't we more open about it? you'd think we would be, when it comes our life's revolve around it. But too many times our actions have been blamed on it too. I've had times when I would get mad and some one would blurt out "shes bleeding" even if I wasn't at the time. Just because I get bitchy doesn't mean that I'm PMSing and just because I'm PMSing doesn't mean I'm gonna be bitchy. There are too many dumb jokes and myths about periods even though they are the very beginning of a beautiful miracle. Even though there are not many times that I can honestly say that I was blessed with my period, its time to suck it up and have the conversation. And chances are that if you get married it will still be there for you to discuss with your wife/husband and it will be part of both lives.
Menstruating is something that's foreign to men. They never talk about it and most are pretty ignorant to what it actually is. All they know is that it makes the women angry once a month. Its also a double standard. Men talk about masturbating in the most casual manner, even when women are around. Most women think its weird that they do that and most are disgusted because its foreign to them (not entirely tho). Women could never talk about masturbating in front of men. The men wouldn't be disgusted, but it would definitely be socially unacceptable. This is similar to the fact that a guy can have sex with a lot of girls and is complimented for it. If a women does the same, she is thought of as a whore and really looked down on. Most men, have never seen a women menstruate and it is an extremely weird concept to them, because there is no male counterpart to a woman's menstrual cycle.
Honestly, I am a guy and I am not concerned with the fact that Sam used the term “bleeding” during class and was discussing his wife’s 28-day cycle. Obviously, she knows that he is talking about it to the class and it is a perfectly natural occurrence that is part of the miracle of human life. I think maybe when he mentioned that he wanted to see the blood in the toilet, he was pushing it a little bit, but he later mentioned that he was only doing that to incite a response from the students, rather than to tell us what he really believes. Anyways, I think Sam really hit the nail on the head last class (Thursday) about the whole uproar that was caused on Tuesday when he was discussing bleeding and specifically, his wife’s cycle. I thought about what he said and I’m really glad that he brought that topic up, because it allowed me to get a different perspective on how society views some of these “sensitive” issues. In a male-dominated world and workforce, I can understand why women feel that they should keep such matters specific to their gender to themselves. I agree with Sam completely when he noted that, he isn’t trying to get women to openly talk about and tell everyone about their cycle, but rather that he wants us to look at the issue and understand why it is that society treats its discussion as a taboo. And he’s completely right: part of the reason why women don’t talk about it really isn’t because it’s weird (because there about a million other natural things that occur to us that we open talk about), but because in this male-dominated world, women are often silenced in talking about their natural occurrences and feelings/emotions. I’m not a feminist, but I think men and society in general should be more accepting of a woman’s natural occurrences and not be so quick to judge them when they want to talk openly about what is happening to their bodies as part of nature and the miracle of life.
I personally did feel uncomfortable when Sam said "BLEEDING" because I could picture it. However, if menstrual cycle is said then I picture an actual graph of a menstrual cycle that you seen in a textbook. Society has probably trained women to feel this way in favor of men. Think about it, it’s always been a man’s world, as Sam said. Never have we had a female president and I don’t think we will for a long time, though Hilary Clinton was pretty close to getting there. I think this goes way back to when women did not have equal rights. They were silenced and did not have an opinion and so they probably never complained about having their period and how it hurts and all that comes with it.
We don’t talk about sex in an open way. We don’t discuss how much it hurts the first time, or the ejaculation of men, nor do we talk about how it sucks sometimes. We don’t talk about excretion openly either, yet these are all natural functions of the body. No one wants to hear these things, we know it happens but there’s’ no need to discuss it. If we don’t discuss bodily functions such as those than we shouldn’t discuss “bleeding.”
I think if we want society to speak more openly about menstruation, it should be taught in school at the age that puberty begins to both boys and girls. This will make the boys comfortable with the idea and they won’t be so grossed out when the idea comes across. I remember in high school, we only discussed menstruation for one day for 5 minutes and all the boys started laughing. At this point the teacher should have taken a stand and pointed out that it is no laughing matter. Because the boys laughed, it made me think that it was weird and that it was embarrassing.
At home, it’s the same way. I onced told may parents that I was in a bad mood because I have my period out loud in the car and my mom just glared at me and my dad was like “what the hell? My mom called me a “sonsa” which goes along the line or dumbass and told me that I shouldn’t say this out loud and my dad said “I don’t need to know that.” This was just when I went home for Spring Break. So it’s not that women choose to be embarrassed by their menstruation, it’s that we’re taught to be from a young age and as children we only know what we are given.
I wouldn’t say that bleeding is disrespectful way of saying period, but it does add to the eww factor. Bleeding makes menstruating sound like it is an accident or a problem, instead of being normal. Otherwise, I think it is a pretty common term.
I would really love it if there was a way to not have your period and still be healthy and normal and fertile. That would be awesome. I do not especially like having cramps, feeling moody and gross, and bleeding for a week. But it is worth it in order to be healthy and fertile.
I do not think that your menstrual cycle is something that needs to be shared. It’s not that I am ashamed of my period or that I feel other women should be. I just think it is a natural bodily function that is not something everyone wants to hear about. It is comparable to having a bowel movement or throwing up when you are sick. It may be natural, but it is not what you want people to picture when they look at you. On the other hand if a woman feels the need to talk about her period to someone close to her, whether male or female, they should be willing to listen without being rude or making comments about how gross it is.
I am lucky enough to grow up in a family where it is very accepted. I do not have any sisters, but I do have four brothers. While my brothers are not thrilled about hearing about my period, they understand when I do not feel well because of it and they are quite caring and understanding about it. My dad is even more open to the idea. If I need tampons, he has no issue buying them for me. Oddly enough, when I first started my period I was the one that was too embarrassed to buy tampons, so my dad would do it for me. This may seem weird, but my dad’s explanation is simple. He says that when he was younger it would gross him out too, but as he’s been married for 30 years and had five children, there is not a lot that can surprise him or embarrass him. Having such an understanding male dominated family has made it easy for me to feel comfortable with myself during that time of the month. If I need to talk about it with someone close to me I will. If it bothers them I know I can always talk to my mom. I do not feel the need to force them to accept the idea. Yea it would be great to not get moans and disgusted faces when the topic comes up, but I do the same when guys feel the need to share how big their bowel movement was.
I think that periods are really amazing actually; just the fact that it happens because a woman is fertile. However I think it is something that people don't talk about because of the where the bleeding occurs. Sam didn't compare periods to other "natural bodily functions" that are also taken care of in the bathroom that people don't talk about either. Why is that? Because these bodily functions are occurring in private areas of our body. At least that's what I'm thinking. In almost the same sense of why we wear clothes that cover up our private parts, we don't talk about them either (except with those that we're comfortable with). Periods have to do with women body parts which makes it an uncomfortable thing to talk about and hear about. I don't think it is the same as getting hungry or your fingernails growing. I do think that it is more similar to peeing or pooping since it is a natural thing but involves the bathroom, and private areas. And I don't know if I think it would be any different if men had them, but that is definitely a good concept to think about.
Periods are not something to be ashamed of, and I do think men should be educated about the effects periods have on women, but I can see why it is a topic not usually talked about.
I actually laughed out loud when I heard the girl in the video say she was bleeding at the moment. It takes some courage to admit that on camera for 700 or more students to see. I guess it is strange that I feel the need to have courage to admit something so natural. While I never have a problem telling my girl friends that I am on my period, I normally do not announce it to my guy friends. This is simply because guys get so grossed out by the thought of it, even though there is nothing unnatural about it. I have told my guy friends in the past if it was relevant to what we were talking about or doing, but I feel as though it is all too much of a sensitive subject for boys to handle.
I’m not sure what the big deal is with this issue so much. First I give a lot of credit to our classmate for being so straight forward about it on the video and it’s true it’s a beautiful thing that we could reproduce. A lot of what Sam said I agree with like it’s just a natural part of being a women, and its one other thing that separates us from men. Like women have breast not to sound gross or anything but I think it’s great that we can breast feed and provide for babies. A lot of people think it’s disgusting to breast feed, but it’s so much healthier for babies. Having even those two things a period and being able to feed a baby makes women so great and it really makes women appreciate there bodies and what it means to be a women.
I think that in class people didn’t need to be so upset about it. Women should be proud about it and think of it as yeah I have periods so someday I’ll be able to reproduce. I think that it doesn’t get talked about a lot is because women are ashamed of it or embarrassed about it. I think that if men had periods it would be something we talked about all the time and they would be announcing it on the national news, as if it was something that should be heard everywhere. I think that women have been more open in recent years about it though, than in the past. Long ago a woman probably wouldn’t even hang out with men or boyfriends when they had their periods, because it was embarrassing for them. I think that women accept it a lot more today and we accept ourselves too more and we see that we don’t have problems. We were made that way and it’s not like we could put a stop to periods, there is nothing we can do so we shouldn’t be blamed for it. We are awesome, I mean a man can’t sit there and be like I know what you feel or be able to bear a child ever or feed one.
I give credit to all the girls in this class who raised their hands the day Sam asked about how many women who had their period and all the girls in general in our class and everywhere. I think that any guy who respects a woman for this is great and if a woman ever talked to you about it and you gave your honest opinion that’s great. Because if guys had their periods women would talk honestly to you about it, and it shows you care enough about women too when you listen, not just about periods, but anything in general. It shows that we can be who we are especially with us living in a man’s world.
I feel like what Sam was saying about “bleeding” is somewhat true but there might be a little more to it. The point that was brought up several times was that it is just another bodily function, so why do we have trouble talking about it? I think part of that answer is that it is a woman’s privacy to know when her menstrual cycle is. Discussing the fact that it happens to every woman is not the same as discussing your own personal functions with a total stranger. These general versus specific ideas play a large part in why some women are uncomfortable talking about the topic. This is especially the case when males are present in the conversation. The smaller the group is and the better they know each other will often affect how or if females will be willing to talk about their periods or periods in general. Otherwise, the discussion seems to be almost inappropriate to a lot of women.
Although I think that the topic should not be so taboo, I do feel that the privacy of this natural “thing” that happens makes sense. Maybe that is because I am a female. I believe the real question that Sam is trying to get to is why this is perceived to be such a touchy subject for so many people. However, there are obviously boundaries. Everyone doesn’t tell everyone else everything, and that could be for a number of reasons. But I am pretty sure the conversations between my male friends and I have been limited when it comes to lots of natural things like giving birth, yeast infections, menstrual cycles, and masturbation. I’m not really sure how this can be fixed other than education on the subjects. But until then…. I won’t tell you when I’m bleeding and I’d prefer that you don’t ask.
Hahahahaha…. No doubt that giving birth is a miracle which all females have. But on the menstruation part I think that since all females go thru it, I don’t know why they seem to hide it so much. It’s natural to have your periods and go thru some of the things you go thru the anger issues along with others, so I am going to try and make this as nicest possible. Females are shy at times to say they are in their periods and feel it isn’t something they should be telling people, but I personally don’t see why it is wrong. If I girl I knew came up and told me she was in her period I don’t think I would feel weird at all, if a man can go around farting all day, and burping without him most of the time (if he truly is a man) feeling awkward at all. If a man can do all this then why can’t a women just say what is happening to her, which is something that is not awkward and is unavoidable to her and happens naturally because it is a part of being a female. Also women come on now if you’re in your period and your having anger issues just tell us men so we know not to say anything and we just take it all in because we understand it’s because of your period that you are being the way you are being, it will not only make our lives easier but probably yours as well.
A period is a bodily function, so I feel there is no need for us to talk about periods with girls. How would girls feel if I commented every time I needed a shit! What is the difference from passing faeces and bleeding? They are both bodily functions. I think some things are better left unsaid, and periods are one of them. We shouldn't need to talk about everything, with everyone. Its great you love having your period, but im just as pleased that I dont have a period, yet I am also pleased to be fertile. p.e.r.i.o.d.
Well I think that women make a big thing about and it becomes a taboo to talk about a natural body function because of today's society and the right to privacy. But the thing that makes it sensitive is it is a sexual/reproductive function. And we today live in not a sexually open society where people are still judged by their decisions as they are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, trans, pans, whatever. There is a point where women keep it a secret as to not gross out other people by bodily functions but i really think the subject is only as touchy as some of us make it out to be. I know some girls talk about cramps and it doesn't tick for some people unless they say "its that time of the month" or "my period" but I'm not offended in anyway its just sometimes a reminder because its been so long since i've heard someone talk about it that i got shocked. I think something will change it the more its talked about.
My mother has never been one to sugarcoat anything about bodily functions; ever since I started asking questions she started giving honest answers. So when she saw that I was probably going to start “bleeding” she prepared me for the idea. And when it actually occurred she walked me through all the steps I needed to know. She gave me books to read that not only assured me that what had happened was okay but that it was a part of life, a part of becoming a woman. Throughout life I never felt ashamed that I was bleeding, but at the same time I realized the unwritten rule that came with having my period: “Do not mention it to people of the opposite sex.” It was never a big deal but now that I think about it a lot of effort went into hiding it from men, secret code names like “Aunt Flow” “My Little Red Dot” “Time of the Month” “Mother Nature’s Gift” “Crimson Wave” and tons of others that girls make up on the spot to keep it a secret from guys. It’s all extra work to avoid an awkward conversation with men or make them feel out of place or uncomfortable, but why are we as women on our periods trying to make men feel comfortable? It seems backwards.
After class me and my friend were discussing why periods are such a big deal? And I brought up the idea that maybe it has to do with the fact that you are bleeding. Like some people are just turned off or even disgusted by blood, so the idea that someone bleeds for a week straight might be a little nauseating for some people. So she posed the question, so if your period wasn’t blood if it was just clear, or even just water would it be as shunned upon, or such a sore subject? Who knows? But I also think it has a lot to do with the advertising and commercial aspects that are associated with periods. The countless products that try to “fix the problem” of a period, and various pads, tampons and medicines that try and solve our periods. And recently the addition of new types of birth control that try to cut down a period to 4 times a year (which doesn’t seem natural to me). But regardless all of these new products are trying to slowly eliminate something as natural and wondrous as a period. It’s like no one is thinking of the fact that having a period truly is a gift and that without it we wouldn’t be here.
So I think that everyone should just start a new movement and start talking about what to do to make periods more acceptable in society.
I completely agree with what this girl said about having a period. What is the big deal? All guys know this happens to women every 28 days, yet they cringe at the mere thought of what happens during those days.
I thought it was pretty rude when a large amount of people started leaving the room in the middle of what Sam was saying. Did they leave because they all coincidentally had somewhere to go, or did they leave because they were offended and disgusted by his viewpoint? I have to admit it was a bit awkward, especially because I did not expect that to be said, but that was no reason to leave.
Why can’t girls talk about their period to guys? I hear guys all the time telling gross stories about their bodily functions and passing gas in public, yet a girl can’t even talk about something that is a natural part of life?
I think there are reasons as to why guys don’t want to talk or hear about a woman’s menstrual cycle. The first reason is because since the beginning of time, women have been taught to act like a lady and be proper at all times. I have been told that it makes a girl less attractive if she’s talking about her bodily functions to other people, especially guys. Isn’t it ironic that guys can talk freely about their bodily functions, telling gross stories in detail all the time to people?
Another reason as to why boys don’t want to talk or listen about “bleeding” is because they do not know much about the subject. They have never really been taught about what actually goes on in a woman’s body during this time. I personally know that if I don’t know something well enough, I don’t talk about it with other people. Boys definitely need to be taught in science or some other class about the menstrual cycle. I know for certain that I have been taught several times in science class about the male reproductive system, so why shouldn’t guys learn about the woman’s reproductive system? I think that if they are more educated and in tune with what happens to a girl during that time, they will have more respect towards women and will be more open to discussing the subject.
Women should be able to talk freely and openly about what they are going through during their cycle, because it definitely is not a fun or easy time. Cramps, bloating, and fatigue are just among many other things that a girl experiences during this time, on top of always worrying if she is leaking!
Early in the relationship with my boyfriend, I was supposed to go to a concert with him, and I had the worst cramps imaginable. I ended up telling him that I couldn’t go because I had the stomach virus. I didn’t want to tell him that I was on my period because I would be embarrassed and I was afraid that he would be grossed out. A day later I ended up telling him the truth, because if a guy doesn’t want to be with you because of something that naturally happens each month, then he is not worth any girl’s time.
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The whole topic of periods that came up in class the other day was somewhat shocking. When Sam used the word "bleeding" I was a little taken back. Sure, it's a literal term because that is what essentially happens, but I think the words "period" and "menstrual cycle" were invented to respect the fact that it isn't pleasant. I know this person said a period is a beautiful thing because it allows women to be fertile and give birth, but I'm a woman and I hate having a period. I mean I would rather have it than not simply to have children, but I despise those days when my period comes around. Lori said it perfectly in her monologue. Women count down every 28 days to when their period rolls around and the pain, bloating, and fatigue takes over. It is not fun.
I think many women do not feel comfortable discussing it as well as men because it takes away from physical beauty. When a woman has their period, they are looked at as dirty. I remember watching some morning talk show and back in the 1950s women were told to use Lysol to clean themselves. That is crazy to me, but I understand the feeling of feeling dirty when that time of the month comes around. It really does take away self confidence and spunk that I have the rest of the month.
I also agreed with Sam when he added that if men had periods our world would be a lot different. Let's face it, the world would come to a daunting halt if men experienced what we do every month. They would complain and fight for rights. I also agree with the another one of the video posts that said tampons would be free. That brings up a good point, because I think they should be free. They are expensive, especially for something we cannot control. If tampons were free women would save a lot of money.
I think if we were able to talk about periods more, women would not feel so dirty and bad about themselves. Periods are so natural, so I agree with Sam that we should be able to talk about it. I don't see it as a form of "art", but every woman gets it and it is the reason we can reproduce, so it shouldn't be a topic off limits. Although Sam's talk about periods was shocking, I think it brings up a good point and we shouldn't feel so embarrassed to talk about something so natural.
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I found the end of class, on this past Tuesday’s lecture, quite interesting. This idea was not on a topic of race relations or anything really pertaining to race but on an example that turned into quite a fiasco. Thinking back on what we were talking about on Tuesday, Sam was trying to make an analogy of how whites will never know how it feels to be a person of color. I think we were talking about this analogy before this big discussion started. Sam made a connection to how men will never know how it feels going through bleeding (aka having a period). Now I thought this was fine and was a good parallel to what we were talking about, but what I found extremely interesting was how he started bringing in his personal life into the discussion. I do not think many people have a problem with talking about bleeding, although I feel Sam could have used a better word or words to describe it. I think people got upset when he started talking about his wife’s menstrual cycle. He said something about how his wife’s menstrual cycle is real heavy and it comes every like 26 or so days. Around this time people started to get worked up.
I do not think it has anything to do with the natural body process, but rather that he told 700 some kids how his wife menstruates. I do not need to be sitting in a class having images of what he is describing in front of the class. On top of having him telling stories of how she yells in the bathroom and how he knows it is that time of the month. I do not know many girls that would want 700 plus students knowing all this detail about their private life. It may be different saying “my wife is having her period now” but when getting into detail about how it happens I think is crossing the line. I think the most outrageous thing Sam said in the class was how when she is done in the bathroom he asks her not to flush it down the toilet so he can go look at it. He called this a beautiful sight to see in the toilet. I do not know what is beautiful looking about blood in a toilet. Now the process of bleeding and the menstrual cycle is a beautiful thing I would agree. This is how life is created and that is a beautiful gift. If he intended to mean this I would agree, but I would find looking at blood in a toilet not the most attractive picture. All in all I do not believe people got upset over the topic of a menstrual cycle. Rather I think when Sam started bringing in his wife that crossed the line and put pictures in to people’s minds that would have been better elsewhere. I agree with the girl asking the question. Having a menstrual cycle is an amazing aspect of life because it means being able to give birth, but I do not think people want to envision Sam peeking in the toilet and admiring his wife’s blood.
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This girl is so funny! I mean I agree with the whole if you want to talk about go ahead but personally I would not want to hear about someone else’s bleeding. I find it funny that this has been a big topic in class as well as blogging and I find it interesting because I do not feel that it should be such a big deal. I guess maybe because of how I was brought up it was like a very personal thing that only happened to girls. I suppose that there really isn’t much of a big deal about it since it is a normal function but just the thought of talking about it still grosses me out. I know I should not be this way since it is normal and it happens to all girls but there is just something that I find myself shying from. I guess perhaps it is the fact that I am uncomfortable with the situation because I do find that I can discuss my period fine among my sister and mom and at times I can get some really funny reactions out of them but the minute it is not a girl I refuse and do not like talking about it. My boyfriend is completely okay with the whole “menstrual cycle” and what not and understands that I go through my moods and can be quite bitchy. I do feel that part of why he understands is because of his sister and he has had to live with someone who does in fact bleed. Even when he is completely okay with me bleeding I find it very uncomfortable even talk about in casual conversation even though he seems quite comfortable with the conversation. I mean I guess a part of why I do not mind talking to other girls about my period is because I feel like they completely understand what I am going through. With guys I feel that it is hard to relate and be like I know how you feel because no you really don’t. Don’t get me wrong I think it’s an amazing thing that women can give birth and bring a new life into this world but I just find it very weird to talk about and I guess it does go back to the way society is. To society it is uncomfortable to talk about and the easiest way to go about it is to just not talk about it. But by not talking about it I feel like it doesn’t make the situation any better and instead encourages the silence among women. Like Sam said if guys were to have periods they would walk around bragging about it yet men and other women refuse to even talk about periods because it’s disgusting.
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I found these last two classes to be the most interesting classes of the year so far. When Sam just went on a tangent and began to talk about his wife’s bleeding and how it was an art I thought it was hilarious. I understand that menstruation is a touchy subject for women and most men don’t want to talk about it either but I think it is a subject that needs to be talked about. First of all the reason why I think men do not like to talk about menstruation or a girl’s period is because they are not knowledgeable about the topic at all. Growing up with two sisters and my mother I was obviously exposed to this and had a pretty good idea of what was going on and at times how difficult it could be. I feel that it women opened up more to guys and talked about it and what they are feeling and what they are going through bleeding would not be as looked down upon. I was also amazed at how many people said that they were offended by the word bleeding. The word is not discriminating against anyone its just stating what actually is going on. It is not sugar coating anything it is telling it how it is. I understand how some people might think the word is disgusting but it should not offend them in my opinion. I also agree with Sam’s statement about how if he was on a period he would let the whole world now it and make sure that men know exactly what I am going through and how some days I can not even get out of bed but I have to cause I have an important test or job interview. I would love to see women and guys switch bodies for just one week. I know this will never happen but I could only imagine the men trying to deal with cramps, vomiting, and bleeding and I would love to see women deal with the mood swings that the guys would be having and the sudden outbursts that would occur. All in all I think it would be a funny thing to watch. Another remark that I would like to touch on is how I do not understand how since girls can not control bleeding and it is an almost daily thing why it is not compared to getting hungry to going to the bathroom like Sam noted. Clearly, if women cant really control there is no excuse why it is so frowned upon. If this is the case then when someone is hungry they usually are a little agitated and can go through mood swings maybe this should be frowned upon. In the end I feel that if men were more knowledgeable about a women’s body and the problems she faces daily bleeding would not be such a touchy topic and would be much more widely accepted. I hope more of the future classes are as interesting as these last couple were.
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I was pretty shocked to see people leaving the room when Sam started talking about bleeding. I don't see what the big deal is? People bleed for all sorts of reasons, menstruation being one of the most natural forms. Were people really that disgusted that they couldn't even listen to what he had to say? He was trying to describe how his wife suffers every month and people just could not get past the fact that she was bleeding and that they thought it was gross. If he had been talking about how she gets this really sore throat every month, no one would have been disgusted by that I'm sure. But for some reason talking about periods is taboo. Even among women, no one really talks about periods unless you're with close friends. At least that's how it is for me. I don't think that men realize how annoying it is to have a monthly period. While I'm glad I have it, it always seems to be getting in the way. When you have your period you can't just do anything, you have to plan and make sure you carry proper supplies. Who wants to do that when they're going out on the weekend? It is a hassle to have to have to change a tampon every so often, especially when you're busy and in the middle of things. The only time women are glad that their period arrives is when they are a little worried that it might not come, for one reason or another. Men all know that women get their periods, so why shouldn't it be talked about? I'm pretty sure that any man who wants to have kids really wants to marry a woman who gets her period. We all had to take sex ed in elementary or middle school and we know what goes on with the other sex. When I was sitting in class the other day I heard two guys talking about how periods don't need to be talked about. They said that they don't talk about the size of their dicks. For some reason they thought this was an equal comparison. I disagree. A penis is a body part, a period is a bodily function. And if they want to talk about the size of their dicks, then they can go ahead. I have heard men talk about taking a shit so many times and maybe that is comparable to talking about periods. It just seems so ridiculous that we can't talk about all things that are natural and expected. If these things didn't happen, none of us would be here. I never really gave this any thought so I'm glad Sam brought it up.
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1. I love being infertile. 2. Well that’s about it. Having your period is cool, but keep it to yourself. Its actually not cool, I’d be happy having no knowledge about a woman’s period. I was just wondering if a woman wants to know about every time a man gets a unnecessary boner. I’ve gotten a boner in the most random of places in my life, the bank, waiting in line for water ice, chances are I’ve gotten a boner while sitting next to you in class and yes I did readjust it and put it up in my waistband. How uncomfortable are you right now as you think about all the guys that readjust their boners while sitting next to you in class. Don’t worry though; I probably didn’t get the boner thinking about you. I was probably thinking about ice cream and just got a huge hard on. Point proven.
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I thought this was very funny. I do agree with her though. It is a miracle and I’m very grateful to be a healthy, fertile woman. However.. I don’t know. I know that we should be able to talk about it like Sam said because it is natural and it is healthy. I get that it’s a part of life just like every other bodily function but I still would not feel comfortable to just talk about it as if I was talking about my hair or nails growing. It’s different. It’s different because it was made different. This is the way everyone has felt about period’s forever so nothings really going to change. I still wouldn’t feel comfortable walking into a room and telling people that I am on my period. Maybe it’s different because it’s bleeding from your vagina. It’s not just your nails growing. That’s not too visual. But when you say that you are on your period, I feel like people picture it. Well not that they picture it happening in their minds they just get grossed out and I don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable. But I also thought that what Sam said was true about if guys were the ones that had periods it would be different. I liked the picture that said if men had periods they would brag about the size of their tampons. That’s so true and it’s not fair that we live in a mans world. But what else can we do? That’s the way things are. Men get so freaked out by periods I feel like. If a tampon even goes near them they get all grossed out. I think that’s a little immature. While I wouldn’t go around talking about it just out of respect for other people I think it’s silly for someone to get so grossed out by it. It’s not a big deal like that. Well yeah, the whole concept is a little gross. I mean come on.. you are BLEEDING out of your vagina. But it’s immature to make a scene or something if someone says their on their period. I don’t know. I know it’s natural but it’s just not something I like to talk about or let people know is happening. I just don’t think people really need to talk about it. I don’t know it’s a hard topic. It’s not that I’m ashamed to be a woman and have a period. I just don’t like to share it because I feel like it makes people uncomfortable. I don’t think that this will ever change. As for the terms though, I don’t think bleeding is that bad.. however it does give a little more of a visual.
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I think it’s awesome that you’re a girl and you’re happy that you do menstruate. I know my girlfriend always complains about being a girl and says she hates having her period, but I wish she was more like you, with how you look at the big picture and are thankful you’re fertile and you can be part of the miracle of child birth. Child birth is a huge thing, and nothing in this world comes for free. With it being a miracle, I agree that having a period can be looked upon as a beautiful thing. But looking at it from another perspective, perhaps in the toilet, is not quite beautiful. When Sam said he likes to look at his wife’s period in the toilet that was a little much. I am completely comfortable talking about periods, but with that being said I do think period blood is gross. Now I never looked at it but I do know its clotty and just not normal blood, which I think is gross. Say a guy had some health issues or an injury and he was bleeding out of his butt, pretty gross right? Before many boys know about them, they do wonder what happens and why it happens. Our society just never really educates boys on them because they don’t affect boys and this just is a continuing pattern that people grow up with and then pass this stigma onto the next generation. I feel like it all stems from the fact that people may be comfortable with periods, but they just really don’t see a reason to talk about it. But how girls act, or do not act regarding there periods is up to them. They can talk aloud about it if they would like and I know many guys would be fine with that. Or if their cramps are really painful- then stay home from work or school. A good reason to stay at home is when you do not feel well which can be the same from periods. So what I’m saying, if you do not feel well on your period, then stay home its perfectly fine, just a part of life that you have to deal with. And for the girls that say, “it’s a miracle but also is very inconvenient when you are not planning on having children anytime soon”, they really need to suck it up. Humans are not the only animals that are having periods. It’s just part of life’s’ cycles and if you’re going to undergo such a miracle as child birth- it’ll probably cost something. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure it’s a burden but sometimes you’ll just have to man-up (no pun intended) and deal with what comes with it.
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After this week’s classes, I really felt the need to react to the whole “bleeding” situation. First of all I agree with the girl in the video; that term does not sit well with me. I honestly don’t really know why but I think it normalizes menstruation. I know that’s Sam’s point. He wants to know why people don’t see having their period as normal or okay. The term bleeding could refer to anyone bleeding from any part of their body, including men. This is my biggest issue. Men don’t have to deal with having a period. Sam likened menstruating to perspiring when in reality they are extremely different. Both men and women sweat while only women have a period. Sure, men may have to deal with the women in their lives when they are on their period but men don’t actually know what it’s like to be menstruating. Sam is challenging all the women to not be ashamed but I know that I am not ashamed. I completely understand that having my period is a natural function and I am comfortable talking about it in the right forum. I would say that I was disgusted to hear Sam talk about his wife’s cycle as if he knew what it was like. I am happy that he is trying to instill in men that it is okay to talk about but I just want men to be comfortable around the topic. I don’t actually want them to discuss my body like they know what’s going on. I get that this plays into gender roles and women’s issues but I personally have never felt oppressed because of my period. Of course, it is a pain in the neck but as a woman there have been much bigger issues that have caused me to be angry with our male-dominated society. Our nation was built on the words of our Founding Fathers, not mothers. Like Sam said, I am sure that if women signed the Declaration of Independence we would be living in a world full of tampon dispensers and heating pads. The fact of the matter is that we don’t live in a women’s world. Over the past few decades, women have become increasingly more dominant but too much time has passed and too much history has been made and I don’t think that women will ever fully get the respect they deserve. There are a lot of instances when women need to stand up for themselves more often and let men know that women can’t just be walked over. I don’t know if talking about periods and trying to elicit some sort of reaction from the female population in your class is the way to do it.
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My feelings toward discussing the period issue are very mixed along with what I call it. I was totally shocked when Sam used the word bleeding. I would not have been so shocked if he would have used menstrual cycle of period just because those terms are not as visual. I feel like the more visual something is the more response or reaction we get to it. Bleeding is very visual especially for females because we have to see this each month. Some males may have been disgusted and wanted to leave the room because bleeding from anywhere else in your body may be okay, but from the vagina it could be seen as disgusting to them. This could be because they mostly associate this part of the body with sex and sex and blood just do not really go together. I think that is why the term bleeding received such uproar in the classroom. It all had to do with the visual aspects behind it. I personally am comfortable to an extent talking about my period to people. With other girls I am really comfortable and even warm them that I have it so expect me to be a bitch and in pain. They totally agree and we even joke about it because we can relate to each other. When I was younger I was embarrassed to send my dad to the store to buy me feminine products just because I was embarrassed to ask him. I was taught that this is something only females get so I thought we were the only ones who knew about it. Boy, was I wrong.
As I grew up and started dating I became more open to discussing my period because of course I would be in pain and be highly emotional, which in turn made the bitch in me come out even more. My boyfriends wanted to know why the drastic change and I would tell them because I had my period. I didn’t feel weird telling them because they had sisters and they understood. We wouldn’t talk about it though and that was good, but I definitely got everything I wanted for that whole week. It was amazing and I definitely took advantage of it. With some of my male friends it is a different story. I could have the worst cramps ever and they could ask me what is wrong and I would tell them my stomach hurts. They would immediately ask me if I had eaten or had to use the BR because that would be their reason for their stomach hurting. When I would smack them and say no it’s cramps idiots they would say ohh and leave me alone. With a stranger or boys I do not really know I don’t warn them that it is that time of the month. If they feel my wrath then I’m sorry, but I’m just not comfortable with that. It may be because just what Sam had said. This is a man’s world and some of them are just not educated in this topic, so why bother discussing it with someone who will be disgusted right off the bat.
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As a man, I really don’t think that the whole idea about women having their period and the menstrual cycle they go through is a big deal. It is a part of life and every woman goes through it, regardless of who they are. I completely agreed with Sam in class that people need to stop overreacting about the whole issue. I know that women are hesitant to talk about the topic in front of other men, and this is understandable. However, it really shouldn’t be a big deal and people should be able to speak freely about it because it is a huge part of a woman’s life. I am not sure why women should have to keep it a secret from other people because a woman’s period is not that big of a deal. People who overreact to the topic need to grow up and mature a little bit because every single woman has a menstrual cycle. I do agree however, that Sam was a little bit too aggressive when talking about the topic and said some things that were a bit touchy. I understood his point and where he was going, but the examples he used were way too descriptive and personal. I really don’t need to know about Sam’s wife’s menstrual cycle, but the menstrual cycle in general is important to understand. I know that growing up, I was surrounded by several people who were very open about having their period and would mention it multiple times or have it known that they had their period at a given time. Although that is a bit odd because most people don’t experience other people being so open about the topic, I think that being around that growing up made me realize that a woman having her period really isn’t a big deal at all. If women feel comfortable talking about what they are experiencing at a given time, then they should go for it and express how they are feeling. However, I completely understand if a woman does not want to talk about it to other people because it is a personal issue and some people are not as open as others. I think that men do need to loosen up and become more open to learning more about it because it does affect women a great deal. When us men get older and have serious girlfriends or wives, we will be hearing about their menstrual cycle very often, so I don’t think it hurts to learn a little bit more about it now before experiencing it in full blast. Thinking back to high school health classes, I never remember talking about women getting their period, but I do recall my teachers talking about masturbation. I’m not sure why we don’t learn more about a woman’s menstrual cycle in health classes because it would definitely ease people into the topic.
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In the beginning of the semester, and several times since then, Sam has told us quite blatantly that he would discuss topics and issues that would make people uncomfortable so in a sense, those who were offended or confused by the terminology or topic kind of should have known that their day to feel uneasy was coming. Perhaps some of those people opted to leave, but I hope that some of the people who were feeling uncomfortable or offended stayed to hear Sam’s opinion and maybe experience some growth from pushing their comfort zone a little. There has been a lot of talk, particularly raised by my classmate in this video, about the term “bleeding” to describe menstrual cycles. Perhaps I am being overly un-sensitive to the issue or perhaps I am in the minority but, as a woman I was not offended by the term because and it almost seems an extremely direct and upfront manner of summing up menstruation than some of the other, less obvious terms we have adopted, almost like a code or secret language, to cover up what actually is occurring. I also agree completely with my classmate in the notion that being a woman and having the ability to have children is a miraculous, beautiful thing and our monthly cycles are a product of that beautiful, natural ability. Our fertility makes us women and forms us in so many ways many that we may not even be directly aware of that I can see how some would perceive bleeding as a beautiful fact of life instead of a hindrance.
Additionally, I would like to question why people men and women alike seem to be so uncomfortable about the topic of bleeding. It is not like it is a new invention or something that only a select few people in the world do. Bleeding is not a phenomenon but rather a normal occurrence that may need some more light shed upon. Men know women have periods, women clearly know and experience periods monthly I am slightly interested in why this topic seems so taboo. Perhaps because men do not experience bleeding, they feel like they cannot relate and do not want to discuss something they see as primarily a woman’s concern. Perhaps because women have never taken the issue public, rarely do you hear of women proclaiming, with the exception of my classmate here perhaps, they are bleeding, or maybe it has to do with education and that men are generally shooed away from the topic from an early age. Whatever the reasoning, I think that although the topic may continue to be deemed taboo or indecent it is an issue that half of the world deals with on a monthly basis and the problems associated with menstruating should no longer be swept under a rug of social stigmas.
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I'm disappointed I wasn't able to be in class when Sam shed the light on "bleeding". This is a funny thing to speak about in a soc class that is centered around race relations. I kind of want to know how it even came about that you seemed to get on this topic as a class. So could somebody share the light with me how how we came to discuss such a thing. Coming to class on Thursday and having the first fifteen to twenty minutes of class be about menstruating was a bit mind boggling to me but after seeing all of these posts it must have been a pretty heated topic.
But I agree, why do people make a big deal out of this completely natural occurrence? I do know some females that have no problem announcing it to a room, if they feel shitty they basically say back off.. I'm on my period; then all the guys in the room cringe in disgust and it can get a little on the quiet side. Its nothing more then blood coming from an opening in a body, guys wouldn't get all grossed out if a girl fell down and skinned her knee on the sidewalk, well most guys that is. It goes back to our conditioning as children I suppose, you are taught that it isn't appropriate to be talking about. Why isn't it appropriate though? Just like Sam said on Thursday, people don't talk about their hair growing or their toenails growing, not that I could see a conversation even arising from such a comment. I say wow my beard is getting long you say maybe you should shave and I'll say you know you're right. The End. There really is no rhyme or reason to why we do or don't talk about this phenomenon that is menstruation. I feel like it shouldn't be that big of a deal though, I don't know how it could change though. Guys are not going to go out of their way to ask questions about what they feel is a touchy subject and women are not going to go out of their way to educate men on a topic they feel men want nothing to do with. I agree it is a miracle that without something that is considered so gross by many people in the world today is one of the factors that comes into play when creating life. Think back to your high school health class and you learned all about the body and how it works. You know there is no way you could have a baby with out a period or "bleeding" so I almost feel like it should be celebrated not despised. Perhaps its only despised because it makes you feel so shitty. I wouldn't know as a man how horrible it can make you feel, but I think its funny, Sam is probably right in saying men would be making a contest out of it seeing who can have the bigger period. That's just the nature of guys, everything is a competition, and we're always trying to one of the guy before us.
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I completely agree with you! I do not see what the big deal is about not wanting to talk about periods. I mean I do not have a problem talking about it, and I am happy that I do menstruate, as annoying as it is. When Sam was talking about how his wife will go into the bathroom and and about every 28 days or so he hears her say "FUCK!" I could totally relate to that. That is my general response to realizing that I have my period. Let's face it, periods are annoying, you can get bloated, cramps, headaches, etc., and yes, I do realize I sound like a commercial for Yaz or Midol, but its true. Despite all the bad things associated with a period, I am grateful that I do have a period, because it does mean that I am able to create the miracle of life, without women menstruating reproduction would come to a stand still, which clearly would not be a good thing. I unfortunately have some issues with my period. My period last very long and it is usually a very heavy flow. I am extremely iron deficient due to a gluten intolerance, gluten is a protein in wheat, malt, rye, spelt, millet, and barley. It really sucks. Basically what happens when you are gluten intolerant ingesting gluten causes you to be malnourished because it flattens the cilia in your intestines. What does this have to do with periods you might ask. Well basically, I am so iron deficient that it can be detrimental to my health to bleed every month so my doctor has me on birth control that stops my period for a couple of months at a time. This has helped me regain my iron, which was lost while I was eating gluten. Which I mean does not really bother me it is nice not having to worry about bringing a tampon with me everywhere. Overall however I do appreciate the fact that I do have a period and that I can reproduce. The miracle of life is so wonderful and I am so happy that I am able to reproduce. I would not give it up for the world. And as for guys having a period I am happy that they do not. I like that this is unique to my gender. Also I mean I kind of just think blood is gross in general it does not matter where it comes from. Whether it is your finger, vagina, leg, etc. It is gross. And sort of freaks me out. It has nothing to do with the fact that it is associated with menstruating. So if Sam wants to talk about menstruating, just do not say "bleeding" that freaks people out.
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I would have to say that the only reason people were in such shock was because of the word "bleeding" For some that word comes along a picture and that picture isnt really good. I know for one i dont like when people know when i am on my menstrual just because it is my body. i dont need everyone to know my business. I feel that sam using that word just because of the shock value it would have brought and it sure did deliver. I didnt see the big deal..yet there are some people who just cant seem to "mature" enough to handle this kind of topic. I know in class it definitely caught me by surprise but when sam escalated to saying that he wants to actual "see" it, thats where i drew the line. i feel for me personally i really didnt want to know what he and his wife do on that subject or for any subject for that matter, yet people dont flinch when someone talks about sex. what is the difference? is there a difference? menstruation is a beautiful thing, for me in a way. now the effects that go along with it arent as pleasant but the thought that i can bring a child into this world is definitely something that i think about. Yet bringing a child into this world is painful and a very difficult task.
period, flow, elmo whatever it is that you (women) call it, its still the same thing. i am a woman. i embrace that and all of its "curses" as many say that comes along with it.
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I think in that class it went completely left field with this topic I thought it was kind of stupid because it had absolutely nothing to do with race relations what so ever. But I feel as though at the age we are now it shouldn’t be a surprise at all the females menstruate its part of the life cycle and there is no way of changing it. As a male I have some female friends and I’ll admit it does kind of creep me out sometimes to the point where I have to walk away. But at the same token its something that we have to deal with I guess its no different from people who sweat under their arm pits. It happens and there’s nothing you can really do it is what it is and people just have to accept it and get over it. I feel like in high school we’ve talked about this same issue about women and when there on their cycle and what happens. I think it’s good because if women didn’t menstruate then we wouldn’t be here. I think it comes with a level of maturity you know when people hear stories like this it makes it very uneasy to be around. I think the way Sam cam off in class he should have really just thought about what he said before he went and said it because it triggered some people to leave and I think that comes from the shock value that he has. I guess it’s not as shocking to most people until it’s brought up and asked. But at the same token with this blog post I don’t necessarily feel like a 450 word blog post is really relevant because I feel like where all at the age where we should understand how a women’s body works. So I don’t think anyone should feel offended I think it’s a time and a place to talk about certain things and I felt like at that point in time Sams class wasn’t the appropriate time. Furthermore I thought it was pretty funny how he talked about how if her were a female and he was “bleeding” and how he would react I thought that was kind of funny how he poked fun at the situation because it looked as though the room got really uneasy after he made his mentions. But all in all I think that for people to not feel so uncomfortable with the situation I think it’s the level of maturity you have to have because it’s a normal thing I just think the time you talk about it has to be appropriate and not just throw out there for kicks.
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What’s the big deal with menstruation? There is no big deal with menstruation, but you're turning it into one!
The last two days in class, this “bleeding” topic has come up and it’s starting to get a little old. I thought that Sam’s explanation on his view’s on the topic was very interesting yesterday, but at the same time, I still think it’s odd that we feel the need to keep talking about it. Yes, I am a woman, and yes I bleed! I am not currently bleeding and it is not something that I particularly find hard to talk about, but it is something that I’ve gotten over at this point in my life and I honestly don’t see the reason or need to talk about it at all. Yes, I realize that all of us women have to go through it. It is awesome that we can give birth thanks to this monthly maniac but at the same time, who cares?
I am a woman who has had my period for quite sometime and I really don’t care to talk about it. I don’t feel like my voice is being oppressed or that it is wrong to talk about it, I just don’t see a point. The women that I do know talk about their monthly periods but they don’t go into details about how much they’re bleeding or continually complain about their lives when they’re on the rag. I have even talked to past boyfriends and guy friends about my period by simply warning them of my PMS. But more than that, why do men need to know about that?
I know Sam used the example of how is female bleeding any different than bleeding from another part of your body, and for some of us, it is just as gross. I personally hate blood! If I don’t have to ever look at blood for the rest of my life, I would be one happy girl. But unfortunately, I don’t have that luxury. But, I do have the luxury of not talking about or discussing this topic as well. I don’t think it’s fair that Sam is almost forcing us to talk about this topic when I, myself, the woman who does actually go through this monthly event doesn’t want to. I understand that Sam has lived with his wife and been around “bleeding” but he doesn’t have to physically go through that experience. Unless you do go through that experience, I don’t think you can fully talk about the experience.
I do appreciate that Sam is using our class to open up discussion on this topic that does seem to be a matter of conversation not widely talked about. But, he needs to realize that us women, the ones who he is talking about, do not fully appreciate this and simply might not want to talk about bleeding.
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I agree with her, I also think that saying "bleeding" is a bad way to talk about periods or a woman's menstrual cycle. I know when I think of bleeding I think of somebody being hurt and rushed to hospital or crippled. And having a period is not crippling at all. I also can understand why she is happy for having her period. Like she said at least she know that she is fertile and is able to have children, and I think that right there is a good enough reason, because there is a lot of women in this world that cannot have children and they wish they can.
To me I think having a period is a good thing for woman's bodies because it cleanses on insides and the old blood and toxins is being released from our bodies. Having a period is just part of being a woman, just like having sperm is part of being a man. However I do not understand why many girls are embarrass to talk about having their periods because it is a normal thing to have, I would be worried and not talk about it if I didn't have it. I think woman needs to be proud of having periods because, for one it's going to be with us for most of our natural lives.
Guys also need to learn how to be more open about talking about periods and being around when woman talk about their periods and not leave the room, because for one, if and when a guy gets married to a beautiful woman, she will also have her period and there is probably nothing worse than having a man/husband who don't know anything a woman's menstrual cycle. Plus I don't get it, what is soooo gross about it? Everyone has seen blood before in their lifetimes more than enough. But I do want to give shouts to the guys that are educated and don't mind talking about periods and even the guys who like to have sex with their girlfriends while she is on her period.
And another thing, this is really random, but in my discussion group I had a thought and I ask, what do you think women in third world countries do while they are on their periods, since they don't have pad and tampons like we do here in America?
I know that when I was growing up I had two older sisters and they always had they "girl talk" with me, so I was excited! I couldn't wait until I was old enough to get my period. I thought that the girls that already had their periods before me were so cool and more mature than me. And I am also "bleeding" RIGHT NOW, haha.
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First off, good for you for admitting it. I would not be so proud of this. In fact, I am disgusted every 28 days by this issue. Yes, sometimes I am thankful it comes as opposed to some women older than I who are glad it hasn’t because they wanted a child. I do not want a kid right now. But, I do not want to know the details of other women’s lives. It is okay to tell me you have your period, but not to tell me what it looks like, that someone else looks at it, etc. I am proud to be a woman but I hate that we go through this every month and suffer from cramps, bloating, and irritability (by the way men, this is scientifically proven, PMS is not a myth) while men do not feel the same. Please don’t give me your details ladies just as we do not want guys giving us details about their shits.
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There are some things that are part of nature and human life that we simply do not talk or think about (in great detail) because they are unpleasant. A woman’s menstrual cycle is something that is natural, but also not the nicest thing to discuss. The fact that it is something only women are able to experience only makes matters worse. How would everyone feel if all of a sudden Sam linked the discussion to diarrhea? It is completely natural. “I want to express how functional my digestive system is.” The reproductive system is no different. Or perhaps we could talk about coughing up mucous? Maybe about snot? I am not saying that women should be ashamed about their menstrual cycle, but it should not be something that we talk about openly like we did in class. The list of natural body functions that are unpleasant to talk about goes on and on.
There is definitely a double standard surrounding issues like menstruation. Why is it that women speak openly about their reproductive cycles, but if a male would speak out and be “proud” of his ability to reproduce he would be ridiculed? Not that I condone either sex talking about things like this, but I can very easily picture the uproar that would ensue from a move towards a “men’s rights” movement. The situation with the menstrual cycle is exactly how Sam describes the situation “at the race table.” The white people hold their tongues because they are afraid of saying something wrong. This holds true for discussions about menstruation. Men will immediately feel uncomfortable, but are not allowed to say anything about it for fear of coming across as sexist. It is not sexist to feel awkward about certain bodily functions. The act of calling someone sexist for not wanting to talk about menstruation is sexist in itself. Just because menstruation is specific to women does not mean that people should try to be open about it in an effort to be more understanding. We might as well bring everything out into the open, like vomit, snot, and infections.
That being said, maybe Sam had a very important reason for bringing up “bleeding.” Like I said before, this is an example of never knowing exactly how someone else feels. I will never know what it feels like to have a menstrual cycle. I have accepted that fact. I think that what many people need to realize is that they will never know how people of other races feel like. You might have an idea, but you can never know exactly how they feel. Once everyone accepts this fact, race relations will be much easier, and many things will be put into a much better perspective.
tl;dr periods are gross, so are many other body functions, so its not sexist.
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It is hilarious how she is mad because Sam reference to her thing as bleeding, well that is what it is, Girls bleed approximately every 28 days. At least, some girls are proud of it, it is part of being a female so deal with it, and it is natural. I don’t understand why many girls feel uncomfortable talking about it. If men can find the audacity to talk about how many times they masturbate, so women should be fine talking about their period. Other girls learn how to deal with and they use it in their advantage, for example, she just asked us to be nice with our comments. Many other girls love their period because they don’t want to have sex. I mean it would be a gross thing to do with their period but many of them are just using to get out of having sex with their partners.
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oliviak Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Ha Ha! Your comment is too funny! I think that more girls should be more confident with them and should be more comfortable to talk about their periods. I mean it is a natural thing and it happens to almost every woman.I think we should be happy and embrace it, I mean we have our own personal built in pregnancy test. And on your comment on male masturbation, I agree, men talk freely about it and while women are left saying, "mum's the word" when it comes to "Bleeding". I think that can be posed to our society being male-dominated.
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When I heard the term “bleeding” from Sam used to describe periods I really wasn’t that disgusted with it. I mean, isn’t that what happens when you get your period. When people say they are taking a shit they say they are pooping, not that they are defecating. I was completely shocked to see how disgusted people got with the term bleeding. I even saw that some of the students were leaving the room rather than listen to Sam use that term. If Sam was talking about somebody bleeding from a cut, I severely doubt whether anyone would have left the room or been disgusted by him talking.
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oliviak Reply:
March 26th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
I completely agree with you. I feel that the class was way to dramatic and made too much of a big deal over nothing. I think it was either the setting of the conversation, the speaker presenting the conversation, or the audience and the peers surrounding that made the conversation of 'bleeding" an uncomfortable one. Whatever the case i felt the whole "song and dance" session with the additional uproar was extremely uncalled for. I mean you would have thought we were an etiquette school in Great Britain, but no we're not, we're the the #1 Party school in the nation!
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I think the class was so shocked about the our talk, or rather, class discussion about "bleeding" or namely menstruation or period, because it is so taboo in today's society. Like Sam said, we are in a male dominated society and the anatomy of a woman is the last thing on anyone's mind, even that of a woman's own mind. Moreover bleeding has always had a negative connotation and we are in a society where people like to 'sugar coat" and find "big words" for the blatant and most simplest words. We like things to seem cleaner, nicer, and neater than what they really are, all in an effort to have to go through that "awkward" feeling in life, although it's obviously inevitable.
My period for example, is horrible, the worst of the worst, the pits of hell, in fact, it's hell on steroids! I have the heaviest bleeding known to man, you would think i would die of blood lost. My period is so bad it has caused me to have health problems, such as Anemia. My Anemia, then causes me to get lightheaded, dizzy, fatigue, cold in warm temperatures, and a whole host of ill- nature symptoms. And as one might have guessed most of these symptoms are in parallel with the symptoms to the regular period. This is the exact cause of my ranting and raving, I have to deal with the symptoms of my period to the second power, with the addition of my Anemia.
"Bleeding" , or one's menstrual cycle, or period, or when they are on "the rag" is a touchy topic and can make one comfortable, when talked about, but it is what it is: a simple act of nature taking its course. Which is the same as breathing, passing gas, blinking, and so forth.
Sam's point was a good one, but one that was a little off. He asked what the big deal was about bleeding, and he compared it to bleeding from one's finger. I see where he was trying to go with the comparison, but he failed to look at, or further, he didn't care about the fact that one's finger and one's genital area are to vastly different things. When bleeding comes from the finger it is looked at as a normal thing, because it happens to both men and women alike. Like Sam has stated , we are in a "male-dominated" society, where males don't have the same genital parts as women. So when we hear about 'bleeding' coming from a seemingly uncommon or minority, we tend to look at it sideways, with our jaws agape. We act as if we are surprised and unbeknown to the fact that women go through these changes "down there" This is funny compared to the amount of male impotency and male prostate commercials that are in heavy rotation on television today.
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The word "bleeding" is interesting, and I took offense to it to, just as this girl did. "Bleeding" for some reason is more uncomfortable, at least for me, then "menstruation", or "period". I think it's because its the act of actually what is happening, and that is what people are uncomfortable about. Ok, let's be honest, the topic of periods is a pretty gross one. The idea of bleeding from a vagina is just pretty nasty, and that's the way we were socialized to think. On the other hand, if men bled from their penis' I think we'd all be just as grossed out and uncomfortable, I know I would be. I also agree with this girl about her happiness about having her period. Although it is annoying, uncomfortable, and often times a painful experience, I am grateful for my ability to one day give birth; I hope to one day become a mother. It is a natural process and it is beautiful, however Sam pushed this "natural process" argument a little too far. He compared it to hair growing, toe nails growing (which is gross too) and hunger. Bleeding from your vagina is not the same!
. We, as women, are the breeders and the care takers, you just help in the process. Open up to what made you and the sex who will continue your line and legacy. Bleeding, an uncomfortable subject? Most definitely. Needed to be talked about? Absolutely.
Although the issue of periods is a very uncomfortable one, it is one that men do have to be open to learn about though! Girls can share information about their periods with other girls without feeling ashamed. But to share this information and talk about periods with another guy, does not happen, because guys never want to hear about it. Guys make no effort to open up to it and understand it, which is understandable, however in order to understand women guys, you have to open up a little! In order to understand you girlfriend's, sister's, wife's, mother's mood swings, sicknesses, and weird symptoms (like the clumsiness and lack of vision I get during my period) guys need to make an effort and simply get over it. Support us guys, because without us, you would never have been born in the first place
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Like a lot of the students in class, both male and female, I spent a good chunk of my life thinking periods were gross and weird and not something to be discussed. It wasn't really until I took a women's studies class in college that I took a closer look at some of the crazy things women go through and put themselves through just to avoid having anyone (sometimes even just other women) find out that they're bleeding (as Sam likes to put it).
For any men (or even women) who may not be in the know, think about some of this stuff. Women find all sorts of ingenious ways to hide their pads and tampons. We buy tampons that are smaller, tampons that are advertised as having silent wrappers (to keep the woman in the next stall over from hearing you unwrap it), and tampons that are scented (despite the fact that blood only smells once it's outside the body). We don't tell people when we're on our periods, and often we'll even deny it if asked (just take the example in class when Sam asked girls to raise their hands if they were bleeding). If we have to miss an event because of cramps, we'll lie and say we just felt sick, or, at best, we'll give the excuse of 'women's issues,' which is sure to ensure that no professor or boss enquires any further.
I think part of it is certainly related to the 'gross out' factor–we're socialized to believe that periods are gross and shouldn't be talked about. But part of it is also related to some very non-gross issues surrounding periods.
Almost every woman can relate a story of at some point in her life being accused of PMSing. This happens occasionally when women act irritable, grumpy, or even just try to assert themselves. I've even heard PMS-related comments made to men when they're perceived as being irritable or whiny (for example, one man asking another if he needs any Motrin or Midol). Women often have to deal with accusations and comments like these, which paint us as being irrational and unreasonable in the face of our periods. So if we know that telling people we're bleeding is more likely to garner their disdain than their sympathy, why would we do this to ourselves?
PMS is particularly frustrating because it is doubly hurtful. Not only do women get a lot of crap for it, but PMS itself is real (though some women don't really get it, and the ways in which it exhibits itself are manifold), and it's incredibly frustrating. I think a lot of men can't really relate what it's like to be having an emotion that you don't want and can't really control. I guess the closest thing most men are probably familiar with is their sex drive, particularly around puberty when their hormones are going crazy. Just imagine what the world would be like if men's sexual urges were scoffed at as being irrational and even perhaps 'hysterical.' I wouldn't be surprised if, after a while, men ceased being vocal about their sexual urges.
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I understand where the people are coming from that believe that there shouldn’t be a big deal about discussing women’s menstrual cycle, but I personally feel that it doesn’t really matter if we discuss it more or not, because the world isn’t going to change or accommodate to females more, so there really isn’t a point in discussing it more other than educating the males that you know in your life.
I got my first period when I was 12 years old in the seventh grade on Valentine’s Day during my lunch period; I will never forget that day. Unfortunately, I am one of those girls who suffer tremendous pain during the first two days of the menstrual cycle. When I start my cycle, I get migraines and cramps and I feel nauseous, usually I end up vomiting, and sometimes I even have feverish symptoms. I had to suffer with these symptoms for about five years until my mother finally took me to the doctor where they prescribed me with sodium naproxen pills which lessen my horrible symptoms.
Before I was prescribed the sodium naproxen, I would miss school because of the pain. I remember being in cheerleading practice one day in high school and I didn’t feel well because of my cramps; I had asked to sit out and surprisingly, my coach, who was a female, was insensitive to my situation and told me to continue practicing. From then on, I realized that the world, including females, didn’t care if I or any other female was suffering or not, so I decided to never discuss it to anyone anymore.
I was always taught to be discrete when it came to menstrual cycles by my mother; she called it being a lady. She always told me to never to let anyone know that I was on my period and to always make sure that I flush my tampon down the toilet and if I use a pad, to wrap it up with tissue nice and tight so you wouldn’t see any blood or anything and put in the bottom of the trash can.
Basically, as I grew up, I realized that our culture and the people in it tell women to be discrete about our periods, don’t mention it, and don’t use it as an excuse to get out of anything. I don’t feel shy about talking about the topic, I discussed it with my boyfriends before, but it would never be a regular topic of discussion. Personally, I wouldn’t have sex while being on my period; I think that’s disgusting for both the male and the female.
Although I do agree with what Sam was saying on how it isn’t any different from discussing on how your hair grows or how your nails grow because it is something completely natural, I think that the main reason why people don’t like discussing periods is because it’s not only about blood, but its blood that comes out of your vagina; most people, male or female feel a little uncomfortable with discussing anything that has to do with private parts.
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Period. The word itself doesn’t really sound nice. But neither does menstruating, or bleeding, or whatever anyone else calls it for that matter. I know that if you look at it from a different perspective, it is beautiful and incredible in the fact that it creates life. However, most people don’t look at it that way. I don’t even look at it that way. And I definitely wouldn’t expect a guy, someone who doesn’t ever have to experience this, to think about it that way.
I don’t think until the time I plan on having children I will ever think of it as a miracle/beautiful occurrence. Ever since that awful day in February of sixth grade, it has been a burden. It has made me feel tired, irritable, weak, and caused my skin to break out every month for the past eight years of my life. I don’t like talking about it for the most part. To me it’s gross and I have nothing good to say about it. I see it as a sign of weakness to complain about something the rest of females have to deal with, too. Yes, some have it worse than others, but either way it’s going to come every month so you might as well make the best of it. However, I do have to admit, it makes everything a little bit more difficult.
For example, when I go somewhere for the day while I have my period, I have to remember enough tampons. I constantly worry about bleeding through or hoping there’s a bathroom where I’m going. I still do all the same things I would on a normal day but feel a little shittier. I hate when people know I have my period though so I try to act normal. Maybe that is because I always hang out with guys or because I generally don’t like seeming unhappy/in pain.
Here’s my tangent. The main reason I think “men run this world” is because having a menstrual cycle is a disadvantage. I am a woman and truly believe that. I can’t pee standing up. I can’t fight in a foreign country for months without having some form of sanitary napkin. Having a period holds women back and I think to be equal we have to act like it doesn’t affect us. We need to deal with it and now have the so called technology to do so. Tampons are one of the best inventions ever. As an athlete I wouldn’t have been able to compete without them, swim without them, and honestly feel comfortable while menstruating without them. Yes it is an honor to be the carrier of and give birth to a child but it is a legitimate disadvantage in this sense of equality to be a woman.
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When I hear men speak of women's menstrual cycle or say its disgusting because it is none of their business. Back in the day, men were men knew that women have that period and respected it today, most people are just plain out rude about it. If a woman says she is on her menstrual cycle, "period", they automatically assume that she is going to be moody and if they do something that would normally agitate her, they fault her period for her showing emotion. That also proves why when Sam asked who was on there cycle at first, very few raised their hand but when the men were told to close their eyes more hands went on. Women do not want the negative baggage that most associate with this "beautiful" phenomenon so they keep it to themselves. I think thats the best way to do it. Its no ones perogative if and when you bleed. If that was the case of tampons, pads and whatever else is used to prevent from others from knowing that a woman is on her cycle would be pointless.
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First, I agree with you about the fact that the term "bleeding" is kind of disrespectful and Sam could have used better wording like menstruation or period. I think this is a big reason why a lot of people felt awkward and why a lot of people left the class. Hearing the word "bleeding" makes me cringe and just makes you actually think of what is going on during a girl's period, but if Sam were to say period I think a lot more people would have felt comfortable because that term is accepted a lot more than bleeding. I personally have no problem talking about this topic, especially because I have a girlfriend and talk to her about it, but when Sam said bleeding I even got weirded and grossed out. Talking about the topic and all doesn't bother me one bit but saying bleeding just puts the image in your head and I know that's not an image a lot of people want to have in their head.
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I guess the term for period that Sam used such as "bleeding" was kinda a shock and in a way uncalled for but why is it such a big deal? Sam did say we lived a man's world and through that world we live in a way where we cant talk about women's period openly. The topic is something that you can openly discuss and talk about out in the open. Women do not really want to discuss their experience in their period stage cause its something to them not worth to be proud and say "its great having a period." From what i experience from my friends who are females, when they have periods, it is hard for them to be happy about it nor enjoy it. The topic of period or Sam's term "bleeding" follow in the lines of hush hush topics of sex and masturbation. These topics are thing that mostly not many people would want to share nor does our public want to express interest in sharing it. I guess when Sam talked about bleeding, it shocked many people because it was out of the norm. What student would expect his teacher to ask her if she was bleeding right now in class? Not many female students are willing or want to to show to the rest of the class that they are going through a stage in their period. I notice that alot of girls were disgusted and left the class room due to anger and being disgusted to know that their professor Sam would disgust something so hush hush openly to the rest of the class. They have the right to because we live in a world where it is considered wrong and out of the norm to openly to talk about bleeding that women go through to rest of the class. But if we live in a women's world (as Sam) things would be different, reaction would be different, hush hush topics would be different, and the student response to Sam's comments on bleeding would be different from what it was.
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Way to be a bleeder! Whoo Hoo! I’m so glad this woman had the courage to come out and talk about her period. I think it is so cool how she looked at the issue in a different spectrum. I think women often times take for granted fertility. I know a child is not something most women are hoping to gain from college, but I think we forget sometimes that not all women have the ability to give birth. I agree with this woman, and think it is awesome how she was empowered by the very thing that made many of us uncomfortable the other day in class. Bleeding is a natural process. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and remember to be nice to this girl too, cause she’ll kick your ass if you don’t!
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To be honest I don’t even know where to start, whether Sam’s comments or about the actual topic of “that time of the month.” Well, first of all, in class on Tuesday, I believe the reaction that the class, OF 700 PEOPLE, gave Sam was completely understandable. There are most guys who don’t want to talk about it, then there are the guys who don’t care, and there are the women. However, in a class of 700 people, I don’t understand the necessity to talk about the menstrual cycle, WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT TO THE CLASS DISCUSSION. I believe the reaction wouldn’t have been as bad as it was if Sam had used different words or if he wasn’t so graphical or if he just didn’t say some things. For example, for guys the menstrual cycle, period, or that time of the month, are completely understandable names for having a period, but when Sam blurted out about “bleeding,” it just gave me an image in my head that I didn’t want there. Of course I know what happens and during the menstrual cycle girls bleed, but it was completely unnecessary to use that term. In addition, not only was Sam bringing up a huge topic to begin with, he said he liked to look at his wife’s blood because it’s art. There is only one phrase for that, “that’s fucking weird.”
Now, for some guys, it may be a touchy subject and they don’t want to hear anything about a period, but I personally don’t care one way or another. When I was growing up, I knew about the menstrual cycle and what happens, but I didn’t want to know anymore than I did because I thought it was gross. However, after I started dating my ex, she was very, very open about it and even joked around about it when she was on it. After a few months of her joking around, I realized that it really is that gross and there is nothing girls can do about it. Now having that said, if a girl or guy or group wants to talk about the menstrual cycle, I would be all about it and I wouldn’t care either way if we did or didn’t. I understand it sucks and trust me I would never want to have a period because from what I hear they suck. Regardless, even though I don’t mind talking about it and know about the menstrual cycle, I don’t want to know anymore than I do. I don’t want to know how to use a tampon or what the blood looks like in the toilet. I am perfectly content with knowing as much as I do now and even though I will still talk about the subject to anyone, I found Sam’s lecture about the topic completely unnecessary/irrelevant/weird.
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Periods, Bleeding, Menstruating, time of month, or whatever else you want to call it, it happens! We cant deny it happens, and feel ashamed to talk about it. Like Sam said, if it wasn't for periods we would not exist. So why are we so reluctant to talk about it? Ill tell you why, its because we live in a society governed by men. If we lived in a women's world this would not even be an issue, and everyone would discuss their menstruation openly. I feel in the past women were silenced in many different ways. From not being able to work in many jobs, to being seen as less intelligent their has always been discrimination towards females. Believe it or not I think the "not talking about the time of the month" is also part of this silencing of the past. Men did not want to be concerned with the needs and struggles of women. It was up to women to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of. The men's job was to work and bring home the bacon, the female was supposed to keep everything else in check. The men did not want to sit around discussing how menstruation affects women, and why should they living in a man dominated world? Right?
Well time are changing and I think this needs to stop. Women are getting into jobs they never thought were possible. From becoming doctors to engineers, or astronauts, the sky is the limit. Obviously there are still many more obstacles faced by women to get to this positions but it is much more likely to achieve than it was in the past. Why not make it easier for women. Why not keep fighting to take away even more obstacles. One of these obstacles is the openness of the "period" talk. If a woman wants to talk about it she should be able to without scrutiny and if not then thats totally fine too. She should however have the option to discuss this natural process without feeling judged by men.
Im not saying that men should be looking at the blood in the toilet, elaborating how "beautiful" it is like Sam does. But you guys need to realize what we go through during this time of month. You may think that we act bitchy or emotional but honestly you guys would definitely act a million times worse if you have blood gushing out of your reproductive organs. So please try to be considerate once in a while. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for this bodily function, so have some respect. Im not saying to have constant discussions about how heavy your girlfriend is bleeding, but if you notice that she isn't in a good mood try to respect what she is going through and understand. Lets start talking about what affects our lives, therefore taking down the barriers we built once and for all.
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I agree that it was certainly interesting to observe the reactions of my fellow classmates when this topic was brought up. Watching people leave the class and the reactions of everybody else made me think, “so what really is the big deal?” Clearly something was causing discomfort amongst the class.
My first reaction to this issue was that it’s a no-brainer as to why people may view menstruation as “gross.” Think about it; the topic pertains to anatomical things like blood and female reproductive organs. A combination of the two can clearly make people uncomfortable. It’s not fair that people would simply leave upon hearing the word “period,” but this at least provides us some sort of explanation as to why people were reacting the way they were.
My second thought was about the reactions of the men in the class. While women seemed to take it in stride, the men in the class had reactions ranging from confusion to disgust. The reasoning for this is simple; men do not experience menstruation cycles, so men are unfamiliar with most (if not all) things about it. People react badly to what they do not know about; it’s a fear of the unknown. It may sound silly, but it makes sense. If men knew more about this natural phenomenon, then would their reactions have been less extreme? I am confident they would have been.
One thing Professor Richards brought up also made me think deeper about this issue. He told the class that without menstruation, none of us would be here. As gross as people thought menstruation was, he brings up a valid point. Why is something so vital to life so taboo? It is easy to go back to the whole anatomical nature of the issue, but that does not lower its importance to life. It was an interesting point to bring up. Maybe if we saw it less of a “disgusting” thing but as a natural part of life, it would not be such a huge deal.
I think this whole issue goes back to sex education in the United States today. When I learned about menstruation, it was explained to me as some kind of mysterious phenomenon that lacked proper explanation. It naturally confused us, and at such a young age that can turn out to be the exact opposite of what sex education should accomplish. Things like menstruation and other things pertaining to human sexuality should be better embraced in society as natural. I know many people would be against such action (“Think of the children!”) but do they deserve to be left in the dark? The more menstruation is explained as natural in sex ed courses, the less of a taboo subject it will become.
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For most of my teenage life I would not mention out loud about my bleeding. I'm not sure why but even though I knew it was happening to all the other girls we all kept it like a big seceret and boys couldn't know about it or you would be made fun of. I was in wal-mart one day with my mom when I was around 14, and as my mom and I were passing the women toiletries aisle my mom lowered her voice and whispered "so do you need tampons?" . I've always wondered why people, even two women, can't say tampon, pad, period, PMS, or menstruate out loud in public without getting any strange looks or maybe some jokes. It gets pretty ridiculous when you think about all the natural occurrences that happen in everybody everyday life can't be discussed.
Bleeding is just as natural as life, death, birth and illness. It happens to every child-bearing woman. it happens every 28 days and without its monthly visits in the first place there would be us. I'm not saying that it should be celebrated or commended but at least acknowledge that its not a joke or an excuse and its not that yucky. Its sometimes annoying, tedious and painful but a good thing.
I do believe that if table were turned and if men menstruated, and if that was the case they would also be the ones giving birth, that bleeding would be set much more in the main stream. All of the "gross" details about bleeding that guys would rather not hear about now, would be known. nothing would be whispered or put into code(e.g. not feeling well, belly aches).
I don't think that anyone is deliberately trying to be sexist. I think it has more to do with how we are told and raised how to act and what to say in certain situations like periods, sex, race, and death.
Not to mention that every girl remembers her first period most of the time with some details. So if its a big part of all of our life's why aren't we more open about it? you'd think we would be, when it comes our life's revolve around it. But too many times our actions have been blamed on it too. I've had times when I would get mad and some one would blurt out "shes bleeding" even if I wasn't at the time. Just because I get bitchy doesn't mean that I'm PMSing and just because I'm PMSing doesn't mean I'm gonna be bitchy. There are too many dumb jokes and myths about periods even though they are the very beginning of a beautiful miracle. Even though there are not many times that I can honestly say that I was blessed with my period, its time to suck it up and have the conversation. And chances are that if you get married it will still be there for you to discuss with your wife/husband and it will be part of both lives.
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Menstruating is something that's foreign to men. They never talk about it and most are pretty ignorant to what it actually is. All they know is that it makes the women angry once a month. Its also a double standard. Men talk about masturbating in the most casual manner, even when women are around. Most women think its weird that they do that and most are disgusted because its foreign to them (not entirely tho). Women could never talk about masturbating in front of men. The men wouldn't be disgusted, but it would definitely be socially unacceptable. This is similar to the fact that a guy can have sex with a lot of girls and is complimented for it. If a women does the same, she is thought of as a whore and really looked down on. Most men, have never seen a women menstruate and it is an extremely weird concept to them, because there is no male counterpart to a woman's menstrual cycle.
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Honestly, I am a guy and I am not concerned with the fact that Sam used the term “bleeding” during class and was discussing his wife’s 28-day cycle. Obviously, she knows that he is talking about it to the class and it is a perfectly natural occurrence that is part of the miracle of human life. I think maybe when he mentioned that he wanted to see the blood in the toilet, he was pushing it a little bit, but he later mentioned that he was only doing that to incite a response from the students, rather than to tell us what he really believes. Anyways, I think Sam really hit the nail on the head last class (Thursday) about the whole uproar that was caused on Tuesday when he was discussing bleeding and specifically, his wife’s cycle. I thought about what he said and I’m really glad that he brought that topic up, because it allowed me to get a different perspective on how society views some of these “sensitive” issues. In a male-dominated world and workforce, I can understand why women feel that they should keep such matters specific to their gender to themselves. I agree with Sam completely when he noted that, he isn’t trying to get women to openly talk about and tell everyone about their cycle, but rather that he wants us to look at the issue and understand why it is that society treats its discussion as a taboo. And he’s completely right: part of the reason why women don’t talk about it really isn’t because it’s weird (because there about a million other natural things that occur to us that we open talk about), but because in this male-dominated world, women are often silenced in talking about their natural occurrences and feelings/emotions. I’m not a feminist, but I think men and society in general should be more accepting of a woman’s natural occurrences and not be so quick to judge them when they want to talk openly about what is happening to their bodies as part of nature and the miracle of life.
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I personally did feel uncomfortable when Sam said "BLEEDING" because I could picture it. However, if menstrual cycle is said then I picture an actual graph of a menstrual cycle that you seen in a textbook. Society has probably trained women to feel this way in favor of men. Think about it, it’s always been a man’s world, as Sam said. Never have we had a female president and I don’t think we will for a long time, though Hilary Clinton was pretty close to getting there. I think this goes way back to when women did not have equal rights. They were silenced and did not have an opinion and so they probably never complained about having their period and how it hurts and all that comes with it.
We don’t talk about sex in an open way. We don’t discuss how much it hurts the first time, or the ejaculation of men, nor do we talk about how it sucks sometimes. We don’t talk about excretion openly either, yet these are all natural functions of the body. No one wants to hear these things, we know it happens but there’s’ no need to discuss it. If we don’t discuss bodily functions such as those than we shouldn’t discuss “bleeding.”
I think if we want society to speak more openly about menstruation, it should be taught in school at the age that puberty begins to both boys and girls. This will make the boys comfortable with the idea and they won’t be so grossed out when the idea comes across. I remember in high school, we only discussed menstruation for one day for 5 minutes and all the boys started laughing. At this point the teacher should have taken a stand and pointed out that it is no laughing matter. Because the boys laughed, it made me think that it was weird and that it was embarrassing.
At home, it’s the same way. I onced told may parents that I was in a bad mood because I have my period out loud in the car and my mom just glared at me and my dad was like “what the hell? My mom called me a “sonsa” which goes along the line or dumbass and told me that I shouldn’t say this out loud and my dad said “I don’t need to know that.” This was just when I went home for Spring Break. So it’s not that women choose to be embarrassed by their menstruation, it’s that we’re taught to be from a young age and as children we only know what we are given.
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I wouldn’t say that bleeding is disrespectful way of saying period, but it does add to the eww factor. Bleeding makes menstruating sound like it is an accident or a problem, instead of being normal. Otherwise, I think it is a pretty common term.
I would really love it if there was a way to not have your period and still be healthy and normal and fertile. That would be awesome. I do not especially like having cramps, feeling moody and gross, and bleeding for a week. But it is worth it in order to be healthy and fertile.
I do not think that your menstrual cycle is something that needs to be shared. It’s not that I am ashamed of my period or that I feel other women should be. I just think it is a natural bodily function that is not something everyone wants to hear about. It is comparable to having a bowel movement or throwing up when you are sick. It may be natural, but it is not what you want people to picture when they look at you. On the other hand if a woman feels the need to talk about her period to someone close to her, whether male or female, they should be willing to listen without being rude or making comments about how gross it is.
I am lucky enough to grow up in a family where it is very accepted. I do not have any sisters, but I do have four brothers. While my brothers are not thrilled about hearing about my period, they understand when I do not feel well because of it and they are quite caring and understanding about it. My dad is even more open to the idea. If I need tampons, he has no issue buying them for me. Oddly enough, when I first started my period I was the one that was too embarrassed to buy tampons, so my dad would do it for me. This may seem weird, but my dad’s explanation is simple. He says that when he was younger it would gross him out too, but as he’s been married for 30 years and had five children, there is not a lot that can surprise him or embarrass him. Having such an understanding male dominated family has made it easy for me to feel comfortable with myself during that time of the month. If I need to talk about it with someone close to me I will. If it bothers them I know I can always talk to my mom. I do not feel the need to force them to accept the idea. Yea it would be great to not get moans and disgusted faces when the topic comes up, but I do the same when guys feel the need to share how big their bowel movement was.
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I think that periods are really amazing actually; just the fact that it happens because a woman is fertile. However I think it is something that people don't talk about because of the where the bleeding occurs. Sam didn't compare periods to other "natural bodily functions" that are also taken care of in the bathroom that people don't talk about either. Why is that? Because these bodily functions are occurring in private areas of our body. At least that's what I'm thinking. In almost the same sense of why we wear clothes that cover up our private parts, we don't talk about them either (except with those that we're comfortable with). Periods have to do with women body parts which makes it an uncomfortable thing to talk about and hear about. I don't think it is the same as getting hungry or your fingernails growing. I do think that it is more similar to peeing or pooping since it is a natural thing but involves the bathroom, and private areas. And I don't know if I think it would be any different if men had them, but that is definitely a good concept to think about.
Periods are not something to be ashamed of, and I do think men should be educated about the effects periods have on women, but I can see why it is a topic not usually talked about.
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I actually laughed out loud when I heard the girl in the video say she was bleeding at the moment. It takes some courage to admit that on camera for 700 or more students to see. I guess it is strange that I feel the need to have courage to admit something so natural. While I never have a problem telling my girl friends that I am on my period, I normally do not announce it to my guy friends. This is simply because guys get so grossed out by the thought of it, even though there is nothing unnatural about it. I have told my guy friends in the past if it was relevant to what we were talking about or doing, but I feel as though it is all too much of a sensitive subject for boys to handle.
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I’m not sure what the big deal is with this issue so much. First I give a lot of credit to our classmate for being so straight forward about it on the video and it’s true it’s a beautiful thing that we could reproduce. A lot of what Sam said I agree with like it’s just a natural part of being a women, and its one other thing that separates us from men. Like women have breast not to sound gross or anything but I think it’s great that we can breast feed and provide for babies. A lot of people think it’s disgusting to breast feed, but it’s so much healthier for babies. Having even those two things a period and being able to feed a baby makes women so great and it really makes women appreciate there bodies and what it means to be a women.
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I think that in class people didn’t need to be so upset about it. Women should be proud about it and think of it as yeah I have periods so someday I’ll be able to reproduce. I think that it doesn’t get talked about a lot is because women are ashamed of it or embarrassed about it. I think that if men had periods it would be something we talked about all the time and they would be announcing it on the national news, as if it was something that should be heard everywhere. I think that women have been more open in recent years about it though, than in the past. Long ago a woman probably wouldn’t even hang out with men or boyfriends when they had their periods, because it was embarrassing for them. I think that women accept it a lot more today and we accept ourselves too more and we see that we don’t have problems. We were made that way and it’s not like we could put a stop to periods, there is nothing we can do so we shouldn’t be blamed for it. We are awesome, I mean a man can’t sit there and be like I know what you feel or be able to bear a child ever or feed one.
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I give credit to all the girls in this class who raised their hands the day Sam asked about how many women who had their period and all the girls in general in our class and everywhere. I think that any guy who respects a woman for this is great and if a woman ever talked to you about it and you gave your honest opinion that’s great. Because if guys had their periods women would talk honestly to you about it, and it shows you care enough about women too when you listen, not just about periods, but anything in general. It shows that we can be who we are especially with us living in a man’s world.
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I feel like what Sam was saying about “bleeding” is somewhat true but there might be a little more to it. The point that was brought up several times was that it is just another bodily function, so why do we have trouble talking about it? I think part of that answer is that it is a woman’s privacy to know when her menstrual cycle is. Discussing the fact that it happens to every woman is not the same as discussing your own personal functions with a total stranger. These general versus specific ideas play a large part in why some women are uncomfortable talking about the topic. This is especially the case when males are present in the conversation. The smaller the group is and the better they know each other will often affect how or if females will be willing to talk about their periods or periods in general. Otherwise, the discussion seems to be almost inappropriate to a lot of women.
Although I think that the topic should not be so taboo, I do feel that the privacy of this natural “thing” that happens makes sense. Maybe that is because I am a female. I believe the real question that Sam is trying to get to is why this is perceived to be such a touchy subject for so many people. However, there are obviously boundaries. Everyone doesn’t tell everyone else everything, and that could be for a number of reasons. But I am pretty sure the conversations between my male friends and I have been limited when it comes to lots of natural things like giving birth, yeast infections, menstrual cycles, and masturbation. I’m not really sure how this can be fixed other than education on the subjects. But until then…. I won’t tell you when I’m bleeding and I’d prefer that you don’t ask.
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Hahahahaha…. No doubt that giving birth is a miracle which all females have. But on the menstruation part I think that since all females go thru it, I don’t know why they seem to hide it so much. It’s natural to have your periods and go thru some of the things you go thru the anger issues along with others, so I am going to try and make this as nicest possible. Females are shy at times to say they are in their periods and feel it isn’t something they should be telling people, but I personally don’t see why it is wrong. If I girl I knew came up and told me she was in her period I don’t think I would feel weird at all, if a man can go around farting all day, and burping without him most of the time (if he truly is a man) feeling awkward at all. If a man can do all this then why can’t a women just say what is happening to her, which is something that is not awkward and is unavoidable to her and happens naturally because it is a part of being a female. Also women come on now if you’re in your period and your having anger issues just tell us men so we know not to say anything and we just take it all in because we understand it’s because of your period that you are being the way you are being, it will not only make our lives easier but probably yours as well.
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A period is a bodily function, so I feel there is no need for us to talk about periods with girls. How would girls feel if I commented every time I needed a shit! What is the difference from passing faeces and bleeding? They are both bodily functions. I think some things are better left unsaid, and periods are one of them. We shouldn't need to talk about everything, with everyone. Its great you love having your period, but im just as pleased that I dont have a period, yet I am also pleased to be fertile. p.e.r.i.o.d.
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Well I think that women make a big thing about and it becomes a taboo to talk about a natural body function because of today's society and the right to privacy. But the thing that makes it sensitive is it is a sexual/reproductive function. And we today live in not a sexually open society where people are still judged by their decisions as they are straight, gay, lesbian, bi, trans, pans, whatever. There is a point where women keep it a secret as to not gross out other people by bodily functions but i really think the subject is only as touchy as some of us make it out to be. I know some girls talk about cramps and it doesn't tick for some people unless they say "its that time of the month" or "my period" but I'm not offended in anyway its just sometimes a reminder because its been so long since i've heard someone talk about it that i got shocked. I think something will change it the more its talked about.
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My mother has never been one to sugarcoat anything about bodily functions; ever since I started asking questions she started giving honest answers. So when she saw that I was probably going to start “bleeding” she prepared me for the idea. And when it actually occurred she walked me through all the steps I needed to know. She gave me books to read that not only assured me that what had happened was okay but that it was a part of life, a part of becoming a woman. Throughout life I never felt ashamed that I was bleeding, but at the same time I realized the unwritten rule that came with having my period: “Do not mention it to people of the opposite sex.” It was never a big deal but now that I think about it a lot of effort went into hiding it from men, secret code names like “Aunt Flow” “My Little Red Dot” “Time of the Month” “Mother Nature’s Gift” “Crimson Wave” and tons of others that girls make up on the spot to keep it a secret from guys. It’s all extra work to avoid an awkward conversation with men or make them feel out of place or uncomfortable, but why are we as women on our periods trying to make men feel comfortable? It seems backwards.
After class me and my friend were discussing why periods are such a big deal? And I brought up the idea that maybe it has to do with the fact that you are bleeding. Like some people are just turned off or even disgusted by blood, so the idea that someone bleeds for a week straight might be a little nauseating for some people. So she posed the question, so if your period wasn’t blood if it was just clear, or even just water would it be as shunned upon, or such a sore subject? Who knows? But I also think it has a lot to do with the advertising and commercial aspects that are associated with periods. The countless products that try to “fix the problem” of a period, and various pads, tampons and medicines that try and solve our periods. And recently the addition of new types of birth control that try to cut down a period to 4 times a year (which doesn’t seem natural to me). But regardless all of these new products are trying to slowly eliminate something as natural and wondrous as a period. It’s like no one is thinking of the fact that having a period truly is a gift and that without it we wouldn’t be here.
So I think that everyone should just start a new movement and start talking about what to do to make periods more acceptable in society.
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