Attaining puberty is similar to taking the first step in a brand new life all together. There are many changes which are inevitable, but the most exigent transformation which females undergo is menstruation. This change will continue to be a part of their lives until they reach approximately forty years of age (though recent studies declare that urban culture is resulting in early menopause). Often, when my girlfriends and I meet, our most embarrassing, yet most frequently discussed topic is about how often our white skirts used to get that red stain on it while playing or while getting up from a chair and how the boys in class used to giggle and gossip about it, way back when we were in school.
If I was taught about the so called ‘Periods Theory’ when I was in the sixth standard by not my mother or by my sister, but by my school teachers in front of the boys in my class, it would have been much easier for me to adapt to this breaking news. I could never understand why menstruation was taught in the tenth standard when almost every girl entered this phase in the seventh standard itself. Doesn’t this topic need to be addressed to the students even before they know where their bodies are headed? Teachers are believed to be the ones who shape seemingly insignificant personalities and transform them into becoming great minds. Then why don’t our mentors alert us in time for our forthcoming hurdles and leave us feeling uncomfortable about it for the rest of our lives? A positive attitude and timely acceptability are the fundamental keys in this regard.The change has to take place from the grassroots level as well. The groundwork has to be strong for changing any mindset. We have to believe that menstruation is merely a process taking place in our body just like those of eating and sleeping and that all these processes have a sound reason behind their functions.
I have come across many myths about menstruation and mind you, they are totally insignificant and irrelevant if you ask me. Once, when I was in a posh locality in Mumbai, I was not allowed to touch anything in the house – not even the knobs of the door, only because I had my periods! I was given food in separate utensils and was told to sleep in a murky room on a dirty cloth. The kids in the house were not allowed to come near me as I was ‘impure’ at that time. Who decides my purity, or for that matter, anyone’s purity? I have been taught that purity belongs to the heart and soul. How can the biological developments of my body define my integrity or the lack of it?
One of the women I know is compelled to take a ‘head bath’ the moment she starts menstruating, irrespective of the climate, her health or the time of the day. She is not even allowed to enter the temple area and worship female goddesses. Are we not then disrespecting and disregarding her religious beliefs? Why should her worship depend on her menstrual cycle? I have even heard that lighting a diya in the temple during menstruation signifies that a female is modern (in a negative sense) and is hence characterless. I pity us women for we lack confidence in our innate thoughts and principles. The worst among all these instances are when women in the house themselves believe these myths and pass on the legacy of such traditions and practices unto the younger generations!
Let us not feel shy about this distinctive element that nature has bestowed upon women. Let us not curse ourselves for being born as girl children. Remember, women are recipients of a wonderful blessing to be able to give birth and to carry a new life within their wombs.Let us all therefore collectively open up the rusted doors of our mind and have the courage to say that we have got periods, instead of timidly declaring with muffled voices that ‘it’s that time of the month.’
Author: Harmeet Kaur Dawar
Harmeet is A big time dreamer, and a strong believer in her own thoughts and beliefs. A graduate in Mass Media with a Masters degree in Development Communications, she has worked in the NGO sector with organizations like Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan and The Akshaya Patra foundation.
Edited by: Divya Rosaline
16414 Comments
Guess what, This chapter was omitted by my science teacher. ( Teacher was male!) ….This is how girls themselves stay unaware of menstruation biological importance.
Same with me Monica, the teacher said to go through the chapter on our own and ask if we had any doubts, also none of the question related to this chapter appeared in our tests or exams.
As kids we would never even open that particular chapter in front of boys or our parents.
Lol 😀 You are talking about a male teacher? Our female teacher skipped this chapter as she was feeling uncomfortable and moreover, shy! She told us to read it ourselves and understand the concepts.
This is surely a sorry state of affairs in our so-called developing country. I am a guy, but, I can exactly relate to what Harmeet has talked about. I used to have a lot of female friends quite close to me and though they felt shy in discussing this topic i could gauge their uncomfortable feelings. I also have a sister and i remember this particular instant where my mom instructed her not to go to a temple, though, untold, i could know the reason behind it. Biologically, we males also undergo some sort of changes during our puberty though not exactly similar to what females go through, but, as a male and a so-called beholder of great Indian patriarchy, we are pardoned all sins. Though I loathe but I can’t deny the facts.
Thanks Ayan. Feeling shy is natural as majority of the females can’t even share this experience with their brothers, forget about talking about it with their male friends.
True, no questions from that chapter! And i remember the ovary diagram in it, teachers reacted as if it was something abusive!
@Harmony.. all our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them. you are stepping on it.. no chance of stepping back.. do well.. its time to see the clear vision of what your inserted steps are all about.. !!
#keepinspiring