Introduction
Discussion on abortion and menstrual health remains one of the most uncomfortable topics in modern society. The lack of resources and education has solidified the stigma about these aspects of sexual health. As a result, there is a lack of education, resources, and facilities available to those who menstruate or undergo abortions. To break the taboo of the subjects, productive discussion and progressive education on these topics must consider their cultural and societal context.
Lack of Resources Effect on Society’s Views
Menstruation and abortion have been designated taboo subjects by their poor coverage in sex education, unfavorable policies, and biased depiction in media. As a result, any improvements in this area are faced with opposition. Thus, to increase the accessibility of material and educational resources, the history of the problem and its socio-cultural context must be carefully considered.
History of Sex Education in the U.S.
Education on sexual health has changed due to alterations in funding and federal and state legislation. Birth control education was included in sex education (SE) programs only in 1966. The Adolescent Family Life Act, promoting abstinence, was an influential determinant of SE supported by federal funding from 1981 to 2010. Meanwhile, many leading health organizations endorsed comprehensive SE, including menstruation and abortion (Rabbitte & Enriquez, 2019). Still, federal funding remains a powerful motivation, leading to many schools implementing abstinence-focused programs instead of comprehensive SE.
The Effect of Policy and Education on Society
Sex education, policy, and media form the socio-cultural context, directly affecting how people experience menstruation and unwanted pregnancy. Notably, the stigmatization of menstruation leads to particular behaviors in affected people, forcing them to conceal their menstrual or pregnancy status and increasing the mental burden of those states (Barrington et al., 2021). Limited resources, menstrual materials, and access to facilities are often a result of the lack of policy dedicated to the sexual health of individuals. While these factors primarily concern cis-women, they also affect non-binary and trans-men. The disproportional influence of policies on the low-income population must also be noted (Barrington et al., 2021).
Less Taboo to Speak About
While SE is not single-handedly responsible for the stigmatization of menstruation and abortion, it could be a powerful tool to alleviate the stigma. One of the most potent steps would be to include in the conversation people who do not have to experience menstruation or abortion personally. Further, the societal attitude can be improved by better representation of these topics in media and equity-promoting legislation.
Literature Review
Depiction in Media
Social views on menstruation and abortion are shaped mainly by depictions of these topics in media, particularly in movies and TV shows. Notably, media, due to its nature, almost always presents a biased view of any subject, influenced either by the author’s personal beliefs or by the production company’s policy. Recently, “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” was criticized for delivering a pro-abstinence narrative without concern for the alternatives. This reaction indicates a notable shift in how society views these topics. As more progressive depictions of sexual health topics receive public praise and attention, the media can reshape the socio-cultural context of these problems.
Effect of Policies
Various pieces of legislation can have divisive effects on how menstruation and abortion are experienced and how society perceives them. One of the pieces of legislation that could significantly improve menstrual equity deals with the so-called “tampon tax.” A recent study explores the effect of this policy and differences in product availability and trans and non-binary issues (Crays, 2020). Menstrual products are often treated as luxury, non-essential items, increasing the financial toll of menstruation and strongly affecting the low-income population. The study reveals that further research on associated health risks is required to address and improve the legislation around menstrual products (Crays, 2020). This study is but one example, how policies hinder access to resources associated with menstrual health and abortion-related health care.
References
Barrington, D. J., Robinson, H. J., Wilson, E., & Hennegan, J. (2021). Experiences of menstruation in high income countries: A systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis and comparison to low- and middle-income countries. PLoS One, 16(7), e0255001. Web.
Crays, A. (2020). Menstrual equity and justice in the United States. Sexuality, Gender & Policy, 3(2), 134-147. Web.
Rabbitte, M., & Enriquez, M. (2019). The Role of Policy on Sexual Health Education in Schools: Review. The Journal of School Nursing, 35(1), 27-38. Web.