Running a marathon without a tampon. Does it 'break the stigma of periods'?

[ArmySal]

www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/kiran-gandhi-ran-the-london-marathon-without-a-tampon-in-a-bid-to-break-the-stigma-surrounding-womens-periods/story-fni0cx12-1227475480183?

When I first read the story I was open mouthed through revulsion, to be honest, but after reading the story I understand (to a degree) the point she was making.

AIBU to think 'fair play' to her? As said in the article, it highlights the fact some women don't have access to sanitary products, something I hadn't really thought about before.

She said she started her period the evening before and decided to run without sanpro to make a statement about women who don't have access to it.

fourtothedozen - if you'd asked me beforehand I would've said exactly the same as you!

Thanks for criticising my instinctive behaviour. I actually feel incredibly strongly there should be no taboo.

And I don't believe that men, more than women, are creating the problem

The reason I mentioned that incident was because it shocked me that I hesitated. Goes to show we internalise these opinions without realising it.

Sorry I didn't mean to sound harsh.

I know how I would react because I have spent 15 years working in an all male environment and the subject of menstruation has come up several times.
I do however feel that women ( not you) can be complicit in promulgating the female underclass.
Most FM is actually performed by women, not men.

No probs

I don't see why, or even how, women should/could be less influenced by misogyny though. I often see the "women are their own worst enemies" line repeated.

We're all a product of our culture. In the FGM example, I'm no expert but the women complicit in it clearly think it's in their daughter's best interests. From a quick google, I see it can sometimes be "a pre-requisite for marriage and is equated to female honour". (goes without saying I'm dead against it)

My dm was brought up to believe men are superior to women and her behaviour and attitudes are a product of that. She just very sadly has never been able to question those beliefs.

My dm was brought up to believe men are superior to women and her behaviour and attitudes are a product of that. She just very sadly has never been able to question those beliefs.

My mother was exactly the same. A surrendered wife. I was brought up to obey men and never to question.
Led me into a horribly abusive marriage at the age of 19.
My DM is still exactly the same.

fourtothedozen

I applaud her and I think it was a brave thing to do

Surely the point is in the article

"If men had their period, because we are in a male-privileging society, rules would be written into the workplace, rules would be written into the social fabric that enable men to take a moment when they need to or enable people to talk about their periods openly.”

That's what she is highlighting

Thanks postino X.

Maybe this little life handbook has an influance:
Leviticus 15:19

"'When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening.*

I find it strange that we take note of something written thousands of years ago when we would dismiss what the Tudors did or even the Edwardians.
What possible relevance can Leviticus have?

It shows how old the stigma associated with periods is.

Personally I have moved on!

So you have ditched the 10 commandments?

If you mean am I coveting my neighbours Ox - yes I have.
However- having had lengthy threads in mumsnet about the stupidity of having to think that Noah got all the animals on the ark , including kangaroos etc that he didn't know about, and not have them all eaten by the lions- I don't wish to get in to the OT again!

Or maybe you think God was shouting down to Moses as he quickly hacked them into stone?!
Man, or God, did not at that time communicate with 21st century thinking. They communicated with the thoughts of the day.

Before I clicked through I thought she may be making a point by wearing an obvious thick maxi pad, perhaps one that markedly changed her silhouette in a humorous fashion.

This person is mentally unstable.

Mentally unstable? That's really harsh.
Lots of people run marathons to fundraise for their favourite charity or use them to highlight issues in some way. I just see this as a variation on a theme. It's a worthwhile issue to raise and it's certainly got people talking about it. Would I do it, no, but then I wouldn't run marathons either - far too unfit!

What's the stigma about periods?
I think she's a but gross to be honest. If I saw this I would have thought she hadn't noticed.
Who wants to see this?
Its really unhygienic for a start.

This person is mentally unstable.

Nope, no stigma around periods at all, move it along people, nothing to see here.

Yes, she is mentally unstable. She needs time on the couch. But not a white couch.

Who needs time on the couch?

I don't think there is any more "stigma" around periods than around wee and poo: no-one wants to encounter anyone else's.

Thought it disgusting. Does she wee and poo herself as she runs her marathons to highlight the lack of sanitation round the world too?

Menstrual blood is good to grow a foetus on.
Not exactly the same as pee or poos (although runners have been known to openly do them during the race) - but I suppose this is the thread going full circle.