Sandhya Vasudev
Menstrual activism is the new buzz in some parts of the world, with the media beating the drums on a hitherto reserved area of discussion. As such, the shame or abhorrence with which the monthly period has been viewed may become a vestige of the past. For a few, the dread may be due to the social inconveniences, and to some it may be due to the extreme physical aches, or the discomfort, associated with it.
A much discussed topic amongst the ladies is the ‘PMS’ (pre-menstrual syndrome) which ranges from migraines to mood swings. ‘PMS’ is a handy prop at times, to lean on to, by truant ladies, for any occasion. As such if any lady wishes to avoid any celebration for reasons of her own, she only has to plan the “PMS” and lo, have an easy victory, with no questions asked.
The naturally occurring process has its share of stigma and secret tagged to it. A healthy awareness, given to youngsters – both the genders – mitigates a lot of hardships and humiliation for the girls. I remember that decades ago the topic was never discussed and teenagers had unsavoury experiences due to their ignorance. Parents considered it a taboo to discuss such issues with their young wards. Hygiene was almost nil in most situations, which is the case even now in poor and rural communities, that has been highlighted in the recent movie on a real-life crusader.
The plight of teenagers in orthodox families was/is pitiable as they were/are forced to toe the line and sit, eat and sleep separately for three days which indirectly highlight their condition, causing needless embarrassment. In some communities, the first time, the maternal aunt is invited to give a bath to the girl – as if it makes any difference – and yet in others, there is a big celebration, with people invited, and an ‘aarathi’(traditional lamp) ceremony performed to the young girl who would be decked in finery. The teeny weeny girl seems suddenly transformed into ready material for marriage. As a teenager myself I used to question such irrational practices that shed undue publicity to a natural process. Some religious sects which held similar views were viewed with suspicion then.
Strangely enough some married women welcome the three days as they view the period as respite from the daily chores. But such observance is workable in a joint family, whereas the practice is given the convenient go-by in a nuclear one as the burden would fall on the husband! Strange but true, if any event is planned, in certain communities, women take vows to be fulfilled at the altar of their obliging deity, if they escaped the period during the auspicious days. The irrationality was once reinforced when I saw that an aunt of mine could not witness her son’s wedding as she went into the ‘period’ on the pre-wedding day when cancellation of the event was impossible!
Just like the growth of a beard to signal manhood, the ‘period’ too is a natural course, and a beautiful expression of womanhood. Attaching social stigmas and irrational practices seem meaningless. This subject has been raising much hullabaloo, both then and now, but with different perspectives.
