Attempts to "de-stigmatize' menstruation by smearing yourself with blood on social media are counter-productive?

3,959 points•993 comments•submitted by NoStuntDouble to r/TwoXChromosomes

I'm a woman. I understand that menstruation isn't the easiest subject to broach, and I'm all for education that presents it for what it is - a natural and healthy part of life for many (not all) women. But the trend for (literally) rubbing people's faces in it doesn’t seem to be contributing anything helpful.

Some examples:

https://metro.co.uk/2018/01/09/spirit-healer-smears-menstrual-blood-face-take-stigma-around-periods-7216095/

https://www.dailywire.com/news/8721/peak-feminism-woman-smears-own-menstrual-blood-amanda-prestigiacomo

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/wtf/naturist-smears-her-period-blood-all-over-her-face-and-chest-to-promote-acceptance-and-love/news-story/37e9b946c370fa10279ee050d1ab2f35

Am I just closed minded, or is this a misguided and sensationalist way to get attention at all costs that actually does more harm than good? Are these women implying that this “claiming womanhood” is the sole right of those with a womb that produces menstrual flow? Are they unaware that their actions disenfranchise and divide? Is anything acceptable under the guise of “reclaiming”?

Can we give birth in the street to “de-stigmatize” childbirth? Masturbate in a packed train carriage to “de-mystify” the female orgasm? Run around in public with our tatas out to “claim” our mammary glands? We can’t? Why not?

This isn’t empowerment. It’s entitlement. It’s compounding the “fear” surrounding menstruation by shaming anyone who dares to react negatively to women using a serious issue for self-gain in the form of social media attention.

I agree that there is a culture of silence around menstruation, I agree that women face shame and even ridicule, I agree that de-stigmatization is important and necessary. I just think there might be a better way?

These women do not speak for me. There are women living in cultures where menstruation is considered unclean and shameful. There are women without access to sanitary products. There are girls who miss school because they have no way of containing their menstrual flow. We have bigger problems than the fact that some people don’t want to look at women covered in menstrual blood.

This sounds ranty, but I’m genuinely seeking thoughts and opinions. Maybe I’m missing something in the translation? Any feedback (for or against) or discussion would be genuinely welcome.

EDIT: I'm losing track of comments, but I want to say thanks. I was hoping for an open a discussion and I got one. I’m seeing a lot of honesty and engagement and I’m taking in every viewpoint. This community is an amazing resource of insight and information.

EDIT: For anyone still reading, there’s been a few comments/questions that have come up over and over, so I thought I’d address them here. Firstly, I don’t deny anyone their right to speak, regardless of whether I agree with the message or not. I am not trying to incite oppression. I am merely stating my opinion that sensationalism and shock-value are at best unhelpful, and at worst divisive and damaging. This type of behaviour is becoming a replacement for real-world action and contributes nothing towards positive change.

Secondly, this is not a post about feminism, although I respect that some aspects of it may be triggering, and for that I apologise. Every post that relates to women is not automatically a feminist issue. Clouding the waters by alluding to a feminist agenda does nothing to advance discussion and merely leads away from the real issue. This is not about gender – it’s about appropriating an issue for self-gain with no thought for the harm it may do.

Lastly, some of you are enjoying freedom from any stigmatization, and some of you are still experiencing it. It seems that women being open in a non-confrontational and accepting way is the key to navigating this, and women need to continue to own this in a way that respects boundaries and invites healthy communication.

So yeah. Cover yourself in menstrual blood if you want to. That is your right, just as it is my right to hold the opinion that using menstruation as a tool for self-promotion with no intention of utilizing that platform to bring about change isn’t pro-women. It makes a mockery of a perfectly natural and healthy part of human life, and that’s not ok with me. It may be ok with you, though, and I respect you for your views. Thank you so much to everyone who offered an opinion or shared their thoughts. I genuinely appreciate it.

​