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A review by ruth24
Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf
5.0
Please note that I received this book from Thomas Allen & Son in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that I started off feeling pretty skeptical about this book. I mean, periods? Why would I want to read about that? And taking this book on the subway (with it's cover screaming PERIODS GONE PUBLIC)? Fat chance of that happening! But as I started to read, I realized that my reaction is part of the problem.
Why are women so ashamed and embarrassed by this natural process, WITHOUT WHICH we, as a human race, would come to an end? Throughout the book Jennifer Weiss-Wolf points out ways that patriarchal society (either maliciously or simply without realizing) influences the lives of people who menstruate. She discusses how some individuals and organizations are improving period equity across the planet and what steps we might take moving forward.
Weiss-Wolf really knows her stuff and that is evident through her writing. She brings to light so many things I had never considered, such as how much of a struggle it is for homeless people to access menstrual products, how menstrual products are taxed as luxury items in the US while products like Viagra and Rogaine are not, and that not everyone who menstruates is female. Weiss-Wolf comes at each issue from multiple angles and provides a way for every person to see the benefit of her proposals. For example, she shows how some of the changes she wishes to see could also promote economic growth, thereby appealing to those concerned more about the bottom line than period equity itself.
Throughout my reading experience, I was struck by the quality of the writing. It is just so pleasant to read a well-written book. Either Weiss-Wolf is an amazing writer, her editor is fabulous or, I suspect, it's a combination of both!
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes reading non-fiction, is interested in social justice, and wants to learn something new.
I have to admit that I started off feeling pretty skeptical about this book. I mean, periods? Why would I want to read about that? And taking this book on the subway (with it's cover screaming PERIODS GONE PUBLIC)? Fat chance of that happening! But as I started to read, I realized that my reaction is part of the problem.
Why are women so ashamed and embarrassed by this natural process, WITHOUT WHICH we, as a human race, would come to an end? Throughout the book Jennifer Weiss-Wolf points out ways that patriarchal society (either maliciously or simply without realizing) influences the lives of people who menstruate. She discusses how some individuals and organizations are improving period equity across the planet and what steps we might take moving forward.
Weiss-Wolf really knows her stuff and that is evident through her writing. She brings to light so many things I had never considered, such as how much of a struggle it is for homeless people to access menstrual products, how menstrual products are taxed as luxury items in the US while products like Viagra and Rogaine are not, and that not everyone who menstruates is female. Weiss-Wolf comes at each issue from multiple angles and provides a way for every person to see the benefit of her proposals. For example, she shows how some of the changes she wishes to see could also promote economic growth, thereby appealing to those concerned more about the bottom line than period equity itself.
Throughout my reading experience, I was struck by the quality of the writing. It is just so pleasant to read a well-written book. Either Weiss-Wolf is an amazing writer, her editor is fabulous or, I suspect, it's a combination of both!
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes reading non-fiction, is interested in social justice, and wants to learn something new.