I wonder, as a sidenote, if any other basic bodily function has its own art following. Pretty much all bodily functions are repressed in our society (are taboos), so I don't see the significance of menstruation over say, defecation.
And can we consider that over the years menstuation has always been a taboo, possible because it's not evolutionarily beneficial to have men trying to impregnate women when they're not likely to be impregnated. I always thought it was just anthropologically naturally for the period to keep men away, so a woman's body could prime for when she was more fertile and likely to bear a healthy child. If I'm wrong I really would like to know, I want to know what I'm talking about.
I agree with you, but mostly I just thought it was an ugly shoe. I glanced over the artist's description, saw the words "Shoes symbolically define a person's status in society," thought it was retarded, and left it at that. On closer inspection, it seems to be made of tampons. That'll start a revolution, that will, making shoes out of hygiene products.
blood, blood everywhereemilythemightyNovember 14 2005, 13:01:51 UTC
definitly agree that most bodily functions have historically and/or are currently considered taboos. perhaps because they reflect our 'carnal' nature as mortals (as our culture is definitly based in a judeo-christ tradition, and even before that ideas of greco-roman body/mind dicotomies). or maybe just cause feces, urine and blood aren't that nice to handle
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Re: blood, blood everywherejazzcat7November 14 2005, 14:44:18 UTC
1. Menstruation is and was seen as dirty because it is dirty. Blood is unhygienic when outside of the body, regardless of the source. But I think the emphasis on menstruation being dirty is the fact that a) it's blood, the liquid of life, and b) it comes from a place that is a very short distance from the regions that excrete urine and feces, and nobody likes those either because they're gross and unhygienic too.
2. The societal suppression of the subject is not just a product of our society, it's a product of just about every society ever in the history of humanity, primarily, I think, because it's gross. See the above reasons. The point is, lay off of Christianity and Western tradition in particular, because it's not just us. As you know, I'm not particularly Christian, and I tend to have a fairly open mind, but I think that focusing on one society as being to blame is wrong.
3. Of course moms were and are hesitant to talk about menstruation with their daughters. It's an embarassing region to talk about, whatever your
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Re: blood, blood everywhereemilythemightyNovember 14 2005, 17:22:59 UTC
-actually, "the societal suppression of the subject is not just a product of our society, it's a product of just about EVERY society EVER in the history of humanity, primarily, I think, because it's gross" isn't true. i'll give some exact sources when i get home, but to many native american cultures, menstruation was seen as holy and dangerous due to the very divine nature of it
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Re: blood, blood everywherejazzcat7November 15 2005, 09:00:31 UTC
I'm not saying women should hide it. But I also don't think that they should be upset if it repulses some men, because I feel it's only natural if it does. I think most men in long-term relationships with girls can tell you exactly what time of the month their woman's period takes place, and that it doesn't bother them whatsoever. I'm sure many still have sex during this time. BUT YOU CAN'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO BE THAT WAY BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THINKING ON A LEVEL WHICH RAISES YOU ABOVE BASIC ANIMAL INSTINCT, AND NOT EVERYONE IS PREPARED TO DO THAT, nor do I think they should be asked to be.
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And can we consider that over the years menstuation has always been a taboo, possible because it's not evolutionarily beneficial to have men trying to impregnate women when they're not likely to be impregnated. I always thought it was just anthropologically naturally for the period to keep men away, so a woman's body could prime for when she was more fertile and likely to bear a healthy child. If I'm wrong I really would like to know, I want to know what I'm talking about.
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and i'll suppress the impluse to rip you a new one. rhetorically, of course.
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2. The societal suppression of the subject is not just a product of our society, it's a product of just about every society ever in the history of humanity, primarily, I think, because it's gross. See the above reasons. The point is, lay off of Christianity and Western tradition in particular, because it's not just us. As you know, I'm not particularly Christian, and I tend to have a fairly open mind, but I think that focusing on one society as being to blame is wrong.
3. Of course moms were and are hesitant to talk about menstruation with their daughters. It's an embarassing region to talk about, whatever your ( ... )
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