discussion post

Reply from Sherlyn Canals

I can determine that Steinem’s main purpose in this essay is to emphasize the power of gender bias and the stereotypes attached to men. The author illustrates how mens association with power would override the idea of menstruation as disgusting or unpleasant. Instead of carrying negative connotations, it would be praised as a symbol of status and power, with women expected to live up to that standard. She highlights the stigma surrounding womens menstruation during this time period by satirically celebrating it when it is a male experience. The author also critiques the political climate of the time by noting that Congress would fund a National Institute of Dysmenorrhea to help stamp out monthly discomforts, highlighting the irony that, in reality, the struggles of womens menstruation are largely ignored. These ideals are unfortunately still relevant 48 years later displaying the strength of men’s privilege and androcentrism as a whole. This alternate world could also be applied to childbirth, as it is closely connected to menstruation. Women would be further devalued, while the ability to give birth and create life would be praised as a powerful trait that women could only aspire to have. This reversal would also be used to exclude women from politics, with claims that men are more suitable leaders because they understand the pain of childbirth which is one of the most intense human experiences. In this satirical world, women would be denied political power not only for lacking that experience, but for being seen as undeserving of a role as they do not have the power to create life.

this is someone’s work

now write something in 250 words writing similar to hers, and it’s the same topic too