Critical Analysis of "If Men Could Menstruate- A Political Fantasy".

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Critical Analysis of “If Men Could Menstruate- A Political Fantasy”

The issue at hand in the article “If Men Could Menstruate” is the question of what would the world be like, and how would it be different from the present, if women no longer menstruated and men did.  I found this to be a rather interesting question and an amusing scenario to consider.  The author, Gloria Steinem, tries to paint a mental portrait of what our society might be like if men, not women, menstruated, by giving examples that I see as being entirely true.  I believe that what Steinem is trying to show is important because it shows what a male dominated culture we live in and we, as women, must stand up for our rights.

Gloria Steinem is a feminist, and her views as one, show through strongly in her essay.  Her article was originally published in the feminist magazine “Ms.” In 1978. I believe her assumptions of what society would be like if men menstruated are entirely correct.  For example, she says that “…menstruation would become and enviable, boast worthy, masculine event…” From personal experience and knowing that my male friends are grossed out by the thought of blood pouring out of a woman once a month, I can say that if the tables were turned, they’d be proud of what was happening to their bodies and not as ashamed as some of my female friends.

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Gloria Steinam’s work does not devalue women of any group, but rather give a good laugh and a sigh of relief to them by saying things like “Street guys would brag (“I’m a three-pad man”) or answer praise from a buddy (“Man you’re looking good!”)”  I think that Steinem’s work may empower some women because you can’t help but be thankful that women menstruate and not men.  That would just be one more thing for males to find and brag about.  Steinam’s work empowers women in the health area by making women proud to menstruate and feel that it is ...

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