According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, a euphemism is a generally innocuous word or expression used in place of a word that may be found offensive or suggest something unpleasant. A women's menstruation is a natural occurrence, not anything to be embarrassed about. Yet the euphemisms we have created for a period are endless; Shark Week, Aunt Flo, "That time of the month," and my personal favorite, Mother Natures Gift. This "Gift" on average costs women $7 a month for around 40 years. A quote that frequents many online publications connects those points, "Periods are NOT embarrassing, the price of women's hygiene products are!"
The Realization Hurts.
Having a period costs a car, a small home or a trip around the world. It is estimated that menstruation costs on average $18,171 in a woman's lifetime. This estimation includes necessities that helps tame cramps and balance a women's cycle such as Midol and Birth control. Once a week, 12 times a year for up to 40 years, a women drops cash on an item that the government views as a "luxury" and not a necessity. Yet women bleed a total of 6.25 years, that is a lot of tampons. The tax on pads, tampons, and any other feminine products on average give states $20 million a year. If these products were not taxed women would save at least $1000 in their lives.
Protests Are Common.
Tampons are taxed as though they are not considered essential. Yet items like food coloring, and fruit roll ups are seen as a necessity according to the New York government. Even Viagra is seen as a necessity. Apparently, elongating the sex life of men is more important than insuring the health of women.In order to understand the "Women's Tax," we must first look at the companies that produce feminine products; Kotex, Playtex, Tampax, Stayfree, Carefree, Always, etc. These name brand feminine products are produced by three main corporations; Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, and Kimberly-Clark. Corporations founded by predominantly men. Research has been done comparing the sex of those who are in executive positions today in these companies and we see a much higher percentage of men in decision-making positions. A critical aspect to an executive role is advertising. Having men be the primary influence behind what women buy is, in my opinion, why feminine hygiene products commercials are vague and misleading.
Commercialized Periods.
We are bombarded with "lady product" commercials portraying a period as a pure thing, no pain, no blood, no problems. As long as these women can cuddle with something white they are good to go. Because we all know that the one thing we want on our periods is to be surrounded by white. The commercials don't say what the product does or sometimes even what it is. They use blue liquid not anything that even resembles blood. And the word vagina is never even mentioned. The way a period is portrayed in these commercials makes it seem like a luxury. It enhances the idea that they are not a necessity.
Periods Are Not A Luxury.
Tampons and pads ARE a necessity that some women do not have access to when they need them. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, even so many women's cycles aren't always balanced and Mother Natures Gift comes at the most unexpected times. Public places tend to have a dispenser in the ladies room, 25 cents per item, which is convenient if you are prepared. Some people may say it is a "woman's job to be prepared" for their lady time but no one can be prepared all the time. Why in a world where we have free condoms, which sex isn't a necessity, would we not at least have free tampons?
A Step In The Right Direction.
