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PaperclipPerfector  1yr ago (text post)   2438 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for April 9, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Now that references to periods are considered acceptable in children's media, why weren't they before? Everything Disney has done so far on this subject has been pretty tactful. (Turning Red, the Baymax short, the Molly McGee episode)

My best guess is that it's because periods are associated with sexual maturity, making it a casualty of the larger taboo of references to sex in children's media (which is a perfectly understandable taboo). But my mental models of how other people think are usually wrong, especially in regards to Culture War topics, so I figured I'd ask you guys.

I don't think most people like being made to think about other people's bodily fluids, especially people whom they're not extremely close with. This likely comes from evolutionary drives regarding purity and pathogens. Sexual maturity and sex taboos probably has something to do with it as well.

I think the only reason feminists are interested in making periods non-taboo is because it's a hobby horse that they can ride which allows them to be loud and obnoxious and in your face and make men uncomfortable, which they can point to as evidence the patriarchy is putting them down.

But really, how would they or larger society feel about such standards being applied to semen as well as period blood. Does anyone want to watch Turning White? Does anyone really want to think about pubescent boys ejaculating?

I think the reason feminists are interested in making periods non-taboo is because it's something we have to deal with regularly and need to make accommodations to our lifestyle to do so. It shouldn't be mortifying to buy tampons at the store or have an accident in public.

I don't think we need to go running around yelling "yay, periods!" but it would be nice if it weren't an unmentionable thing. We have no problem making jokes about poop in public, and that's just another bodily function.

Well, how do you feel about what I said about comparable things for men? Do you think men should feel comfortable talking about their ejaculations and semen in more public situations? Do you think that men should not feel embarrassed or shameful about having visible erections? Those are just bodily functions.

Also, not everyone is keen on talking/joking about poop. I know I'm not.

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