Periods or menstruation is the most natural phenomenon faced by females usually aged between 14 – 55 years of age. It’s no news to most of us that a healthy female body is made such to bleed for 4-5 days every month. That forms the basis of her ability to give birth to new life. But, ironically, menstruating women are looked down upon by our society, even considered as impure during that time.
I, being a female, have faced quite a few bizarre practices that are followed in our Indian society. I am sure a majority of the fairer population must have been through one or all of these situations as well. I just wanted to talk about it and share my opinion on them.
Prayer during PERIOD
Females are considered as impure during menstruation and aren’t allowed to pray. Now my point is how an otherwise pure soul becomes impure for 5 days every month. . According to Hinduism, we all are creations of the Almighty. So apparently this female phenomenon is also made by that supreme power. How can HIS creations be considered as impure? Also, we visit temples were goddesses are worshipped and some even believe the deity is present in the form of the idol. So if the basic structuring of all the female body is the same how come almost half the population is not allowed to pray or enter the temple premises during a couple of days every month but the goddess inside is worshipped 24 X 7 throughout the year. What I believe is having a pure heart and soul is the basis of praying, be it anytime of the month.
Isolation during PERIODS
Earlier, due to lack of availability of sanitary products, females were asked to rest during menstruation. Yes, we females have cramps, mood-swings and cravings during periods but that doesn’t mean we ask for isolation. Now a days we have top quality sanitary products and over the counter medicines to give relief during periods. So why is the age old tradition of isolation still followed by some? If a girl wants to run a marathon during period, she very well can. Her choice. No age old traditions should bar her from doing something she desires.
No cooking during PERIODS
So in some parts of our country, females are not allowed to enter the kitchen during that time of the month. Basically that was done again to give rest to the menstruating lady and it was manageable when majority of population lived in big joint families. But now with nuclear families on the rise, some people still practice this medieval tradition. So, apparently, ordering food from restaurants during that time is better than home cooked meal by a lady on period. I have a sincere question regarding this – do you check with the restaurant weather the food cooked is by a female or male and if it’s a female did you get it checked whether she was on her period or not?
Pickles and PERIODS
Another absurd thing we quite often come across is that if we touch pickle during periods, it will go bad. Seriously! How can my body condition effect what’s inside a jar even if I touch it? The logic behind not allowing menstruating women to eat pickles was that if we eat something sour our stomach muscles clench thereby increasing the blood flow. No rocket science behind it. But alas! When it comes down a few generations, the simple habit of eating pickles is frowned upon during menstruation.
These and a lot more period taboos are being followed by our Indian society till date, thereby, making it suffocating for young, educated females. What I feel is all these stone-age practices should be stopped and this female body function should be accepted by one and all.
The first step towards acceptance will be when we talk about menstruation not just will teenage girls who are nearing the threshold of puberty but with boys as well. Everyone must be educated that being on period is nothing to be ashamed of but it is the first and foremost indication of a healthy female body. A female pure at heart is pure even if she is bleeding. Period.
Lastly, my advice to all the females out there…
Pray with a pure soul,
Cook with a pure heart &
Think with a pure mind.
Period or no period.
Love and blessings to all.
Neha
コメント