Is Mother Nature the Enemy?

by Dorothee Royal-Hedinger · 2009-03-23 12:19:00 UTC
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While watching TV the other day, I came across a commercial for Tampax Pearl that really bothered me though I couldn't figure out exactly why at the time:

In the commercial, a young woman is being tormented by a witch-like older woman who is determined to ruin her date with a hunky pirate by presenting her with "Mother Nature's Gift", or her period. Looking at it again, I can see why this concept bothered me so much - it treats the female body's natural rhythms as something to avoid.  I mean, getting your period is not often the most convenient or fun activity of a girl's month but it certainly isn't something to dread and fight against, right?

Consider for a moment what our culture is telling you about menstruation.  What impact has advertising had on your knowledge and attitude towards it? What is the motivation of the advertiser and do you think it helps reinforce a positive image of your body and its natural functions?

I find this whole campaign disturbing because it positions women against their bodies and encourages a negative attitude toward the "Mother Nature" symbol. Why is "she" the enemy anyway?

In many other cultures, the menstrual cycle is regarded as a holy and life-affirming event and is respected as an essential phase of women's lives and the life of the community. According to the Native American Lakota belief system for example, a woman's period or "Moon Time" is regarded as a sacred and creative time that allows women to release old energy and reconnect with the Earth. Instead of something to avoid, the Moon Time is celebrated as a reminder of abundance and fertility.

So let's remain critical of a beauty and personal care industry that makes money off of women's discomfort with their own bodies. Instead, let's work to get in touch with our own unique physical, emotional and mental phases throughout each month. A great place to start is the Feminist Women's Health Center, which has a great page on their site detailing the biology, history and myths behind the menstrual cycle.

And if you're sick of patronizing brands that perpetuate less than positive images of women's bodies, you can check out these new small woman-owned companies and their products.

Dorothee Royal-Hedinger
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