Menstrual Bodies and Gender : The Transnational Business of Menstruation From Latin America

This book will have repercussions for research and policy for years to come. - Mónica Szurmuk, Senior Researcher, National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina. This book interrogates how the so-called "Feminine Care" industry travelled from the United States to Latin America via manufactured and disposable menstrual management technologies and certain narratives about menstrual bodies. The author focuses on Argentina as a case study to deepen the analysis of transnational politics and business practices around menstruation, drawing on women's voices to unveil why menstruation is still a bodily process that is natural yet taboo in Latin America. This fascinating volume is a must-read for anyone interested in how the "Feminine Care" industry helped reify the insidious social mandate of shame and secrecy over women's bodily experiences Contents List of Figures 1: Putting Your Body into It Retrospective View Menstruation and Femininity Global Flows: The Femcare Industry References 2: Menstruating, Doing Gender A Women’s Thing? Shame and the Technologies of Gender Technologies of Menstruation Denial References 3: Advertising “Feminine Protectors:” From Hygiene to Women’s Liberation The First Moment: Sanitizing a Dirty Body The Second Moment: Setting Women Free from Their Menstrual Body References 4: “Becoming a Young Lady:” The First Period as a Mark of Gender Learn to Be a Woman! It’s Natural, It’s a Women’s Thing References 5: The First Person: From “Rags” to Pads and Tampons Disposable Pads Were a Great Relief Tampons Were Total Liberation References 6: Conclusion: Overdue Policies on the Menstrual Cycle and Final Remarks Economic Agenda Educational and Health Agenda Policies Related to the Environment Policies Related to Public Spaces Policies Related to Work The Private Sector Index This book will have repercussions for research and policy for years to come. - Mónica Szurmuk, Senior Researcher, National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina. This book interrogates how the so-called "Feminine Care" industry travelled from the United States to Latin America via manufactured and disposable menstrual management technologies and certain narratives about menstrual bodies. The author focuses on Argentina as a case study to deepen the analysis of transnational politics and business practices around menstruation, drawing on women's voices to unveil why menstruation is still a bodily process that is natural yet taboo in Latin America. This fascinating volume is a must-read for anyone interested in how the "Feminine Care" industry helped reify the insidious social mandate of shame and secrecy over women's bodily experiences