Never Trust Anything That Bleeds for Seven Days and Doesn’t Die: Menstruation, Cultural Materialism, and Autoethnography

Author

Anastasiya Panas, The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkFollow

Date of Degree

5-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Jean Halley

Subject Categories

Other Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Other Sociology | Women's Studies

Keywords

Menstruation, cultural materialism, autoethnography

Abstract

Menstruation is a human experience that cuts across cultures and continents. However, the meaning this biological process is imparted varies greatly. In this thesis, I argue that the way the society treats menstruation is reflective of the way the society treats women. I base my argument in cultural materialism. I also apply the framework Susan Bordo (1993) used to examine anorexia nervosa towards examining menstruation discourse. Because I am a woman of two cultures, in one of which there is a lack of analysis of contemporary menstrual meanings, I use autoethnographic writing as a primary methodology.

Recommended Citation

Panas, Anastasiya, "Never Trust Anything That Bleeds for Seven Days and Doesn’t Die: Menstruation, Cultural Materialism, and Autoethnography" (2018). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/2608