Blog Post Title: Years of Period Pride: Celebrating Menstruation in Pop Culture
Introduction:
Menstruation, also known as periods, is a natural and normal part of a woman’s life. However, for decades, it has been a topic shrouded in shame and secrecy. Thankfully, in recent years, there has been a shift in how periods are perceived and portrayed in popular culture. From movies to books to music, period pride is being celebrated and embraced like never before. In this blog post, we will take a look at the evolution of menstruation in pop culture and how it has helped break the stigma and empower women to embrace their bodies and periods with pride and confidence.
The Early Days: Periods in Pop Culture
In the early days of pop culture, menstruation was rarely mentioned or discussed openly. Women were expected to keep their periods a secret and were often portrayed as weak or irrational during this time. One notable example is in the 1939 film “Gone with the Wind,” where Scarlett O’Hara’s periods are seen as a weakness and are used against her by her male counterparts. This negative portrayal of periods in pop culture only reinforced the taboo and shame surrounding menstruation.
Thankfully, there were a few exceptions to this narrative. In the 1973 film “Carrie,” based on Stephen King’s novel, the main character’s periods are portrayed as a source of her supernatural powers. This was a groundbreaking and unconventional take on menstruation in pop culture, as it showed periods in a positive light rather than something to be ashamed of.
The 1990s: The Rise of Period Pride
The 1990s saw a shift in how periods were portrayed in pop culture. With the rise of feminism and women empowerment movements, periods were no longer seen as a weakness or something to be hidden. Instead, they were celebrated and embraced.
One of the most iconic moments in period pride was the 1992 film “Sister Act,” where Whoopi Goldberg’s character, Deloris, gets her period and the nuns rally together to support and celebrate this natural occurrence. This scene was not only groundbreaking but also empowering, as it showed women coming together to support and celebrate their bodies.
The 1990s also saw the rise of the “period-positive” movement, with books like “The Red Tent” by Anita Diamant and “The Curse: Confronting the Last Unmentionable Taboo: Menstruation” by Karen Houppert. These books normalized periods and encouraged women to embrace and celebrate their menstrual cycle.
Years of Period Pride: Celebrating Menstruation in Pop Culture
The 2000s: Periods Take Center Stage
With the turn of the millennium, periods were no longer a taboo topic in pop culture. In fact, they were taking center stage in movies, TV shows, and even music.
One notable example is the 2006 film “Juno,” where the main character’s unplanned pregnancy is not seen as a burden, but rather a natural consequence of her period. The film also features a scene where Juno and her friend have a frank and open discussion about periods, breaking the silence and stigma surrounding them.
The 2000s also saw the rise of period-themed TV shows, such as “Big Mouth” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” which tackled the topic of periods in a humorous and relatable way. These shows not only helped break the stigma surrounding periods but also provided a platform for women to share their experiences and feel less alone in their menstrual struggles.
The Present: Periods as a Symbol of Feminism
In recent years, periods have been increasingly portrayed as a symbol of feminism and women empowerment in pop culture. One notable example is the 2017 film “Wonder Woman,” where the main character’s period is seen as a source of her strength and power. This portrayal not only breaks the taboo surrounding periods but also celebrates them as a natural and essential part of a woman’s life.
The rise of period activism and menstrual equity movements has also been reflected in pop culture. In 2019, the Oscar-winning documentary “Period. End of Sentence.” shed light on the stigma and lack of access to menstrual products in India and the global movement to end period poverty.
Conclusion: The Future of Period Pride in Pop Culture
As we continue to break the stigma and celebrate periods in pop culture, the future looks bright for period pride. With more representation and positive portrayals of periods, we can hope to see a world where menstruation is no longer a taboo topic and women can openly embrace and celebrate their periods without shame or secrecy.
In summary, the evolution of menstruation in pop culture has been a journey from shame and secrecy to empowerment and celebration. From films like “Carrie” to TV shows like “Big Mouth” to documentaries like “Period. End of Sentence.”, periods are finally being portrayed in a positive and realistic light. This shift has not only broken the stigma surrounding periods but also empowered women to embrace and celebrate their bodies and periods with pride and confidence.