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PERIOD POVERTY IN THE U.S.

BY: BRIANNA CAMP

WHAT IS PERIOD POVERTY?

DEFINING

PERIOD POVERTY

Who Does it Affect?

WHO DOES THIS ISSUE AFFECT?

  • In general, Period Poverty affects the following groups most prominently: Students, low-income and homeless women and girls, transgender and non-binary individuals, and those who are currently imprisoned.
  • Looking at this issue from the standpoint of “all those who menstruate” versus “those who are female” is a very important distinction of Period Poverty. It is likely that those who identify as Trans or Non-binary are also grouped in with those who experience poverty at a more frequent scale than those who do not, so it is pertinent to include those groups in the discussion.

EUPHEMISMS CONCERNING MENSTRUATION ARE HARMFUL TO WOMEN'S HEALTH

Volatile Bodies by Elizabeth Grosz

  • Grosz argues that menstruation as an uncontrollable fluid of the body has been culturally defined as a limit, or a weakness, of the female body that is associated with pregnancy but also contagion, soiling oneself, and disorder. This stigma allows women to

THE LANGUAGE OF MENSTRUATION

THE HARMFUL METHODS

SOME PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO RESORT TO THESE MEDIEVAL METHODS:

THE STATS

THINX & PERIOD. STUDY FINDINGS:

1.

64% believe society teaches people to be ashamed of their periods.

2.

66% do not want to be at school when they are on their period.

3.

80% feel there is a negative association with periods, that they are gross or unsanitary.

4.

71% feel self-conscious during their period.

5.

69% feel embarrassed when they have to bring period products to the bathroom.

6.

57% have felt personally affected by the negative association surrounding periods.

7.

The majority (51%) of students feel like their school does not care about them if they do not provide free period products in their bathrooms.

WHAT IS THE PINK TAX?

Of US States, 35 view menstrual hygiene items as luxury goods and impose sales tax, also known as the “tampon tax” and “the Pink Tax,” on such products. Only ten US states have gotten rid of this highly debated tampon tax. These states include Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and, most recently, Nevada. Oregon, Montana, Alaska, Delaware, and New Hampshire also don't tax menstrual products, but that's because they don't have a general sales tax. Every other state in the US allows sales tax on menstrual products, which critics say is unfair.

THE PINK TAX AND ITS EFFECTS ON PERIOD POVERTY

EVIDENCE FOR THE PINK TAX

THE COST IS TOO MUCH.

The following study from the University of Pennsylvania explains why taxes aren’t the only concern when it comes to expensive menstrual hygiene products: “Sales tax is only one barrier to affordable menstrual hygiene. Although more women than men live in poverty in the United States, period products cannot be purchased with food stamps, Medicaid, or health insurance spending accounts. According to the 2014 Shriver Report, there are at least 42 million impoverished women in the U.S. Many of these women experience the indignity and shame of being unable to care for themselves during their periods. A 2019 study of low-income women corroborates this account. Two-thirds of the women surveyed did not have the resources to buy menstrual hygiene products at some point during the last year, and one-fifth of respondents struggle to afford period products on a monthly basis. Without these items, women’s movement and ambitions are tampered. During these times, they may not feel able to leave their homes, go to work, or participate in civic life.”

Graphic by Erik Krouskop/ The Et Cetera

THE TRUE COST OF TAXES

Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, lawyer, professor at NYU School of Law, and author of Periods Gone Public explains in her book:

"Reusing products or using tampons and pads for too long—or not using them at all—leads to higher rates of infection and other conditions for which patients are likely to require medical intervention," Weiss-Wolf writes in her book. "Arguments about the physical effects could be further reinforced by showing if or how lack of menstrual products causes psychological stress... the fact that periods involve bodily fluids and bloodborne pathogens certainly create additional implications for public health, hygiene, and sanitation."

WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP!

SO LET'S TALK...

In the survey from PERIOD and Thinx:

• Only 23% of teens said they know what ‘menstrual equity’ means.

• 79% feel that they need more in-depth education around menstrual health.

• 76% think we are taught more about the biology of frogs than the biology of the human female body in school.

51% of students who menstruate have missed at least part of a class or class period due to menstruation symptoms such as cramps.

Attitudes surrounding menstruation are beginning to shift, signaling a new era of open dialogue to move this important cause forward. We can help support this cause by acknowledging the initiatives of legislators and organizations like Aunt Flow, Period.org, and Project Period. And if you have experienced period poverty, or know someone who has, use your voice to speak up about the issue so that continued efforts for making sure these essential products are as free and accessible as toilet paper.

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