The evolving landscape of menstrual product advertisements in the United States: 2008-2018

Liu, Danting; Schmitt, Margaret L.; Nowara, Azure; Magno, Cathryn; Ortiz, Rebecca; Sommer, Marni

doi:10.1080/07399332.2021.1884251

Cited by 10 publications

References 10 publications

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Introduction

Tomlinson

2024

Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change

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This introduction explores the emergence of the global menstrual movement, tracing its roots back to the early twentieth century. Focussing on Great Britain, this chapter identifies the key aims of the menstrual movement as well as the political and educational changes this movement has inspired. Drawing on scholarly literature, it examines five topics with which the movement in Great Britain is concerned, namely, menstrual stigma, ‘period poverty’, sustainability, menstrual health conditions, as well as inclusion and intersectionality. The introduction situates the book within critical menstruation studies, feminist scholarship, social movement studies, and the broader disciplines of sociology and communication whilst also highlighting its original contribution to these areas.

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Introduction

Tomlinson

2024

Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change

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Seeing Menstruation in the Media: The News, Advertisements, and Memes That Teenagers Encounter via Social Media and the Mainstream Media

Tomlinson

2024

Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change

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Based on focus groups with 77 boys, girls, and non-binary teenagers across Yorkshire, this chapter explores young people’s engagement with menstruation on social media and in news media. It focuses on memes, news stories, and advertisements. This chapter argues that social media and news media perpetuate misinformation, menstrual stigma, and a narrow view of lived experiences of menstruation. This chapter demonstrates that, through minimising menstrual pain and portraying a monolithic view of menstruation, advertisements can negatively impact the wellbeing of girls and other young people who menstruate. Nevertheless, this chapter also indicates that the visibility of menstruation on social media and news media is encouraging young people to view menstruation as a normal topic of discussion. Memes, for example, albeit sometimes perpetuating pejorative stereotypes, are having a positive influence on young people through encouraging them to question menstrual stigma, feel a sense of collective identity, share their menstrual experiences, or engage in mixed-gender discussion about menstruation. Hence, as this chapter argues, it is humour, rather than explicitly politically driven communication, that is most significantly contributing to both the normalisation of menstruation and young people’s perceptions of menstrual experience.

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The Impact of the Media and the Mediated Menstrual Movement on Young People’s Awareness and Perceptions of Menstrual Inequities

Tomlinson

2024

Palgrave Studies in Communication for Social Change

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This chapter explores young people’s awareness and perceptions of period poverty, menstrual health conditions, sustainability, and the experiences of transgender people who menstruate. It also considers the extent to which their awareness of these four themes has led to a change in their attitudes and offline behaviours. This chapter argues that, thanks to social media in particular, young people in Great Britain are becoming increasingly aware of issues around menstrual equity. Nevertheless, they have limited knowledge about menstrual health such as being able to identify if symptoms are typical or atypical. Ultimately, as my findings demonstrate, the changes that will have the greatest impact on young people are improved access to high quality menstrual education (which includes tactile engagement with menstrual products and discussions of lived experiences), opportunities to develop their media literacy skills, and the fostering of an inclusive and open culture around menstruation in educational settings. The menstrual movement must therefore continue to work with the government to improve menstrual education in schools and, where possible, support teachers and pupils.

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The evolving landscape of menstrual product advertisements in the United States: 2008-2018

Cited by 10 publications

References 10 publications

Introduction

Introduction

Seeing Menstruation in the Media: The News, Advertisements, and Memes That Teenagers Encounter via Social Media and the Mainstream Media

The Impact of the Media and the Mediated Menstrual Movement on Young People’s Awareness and Perceptions of Menstrual Inequities

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