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queerbillydeluxe's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars...A fairly surface level examination of the public menstruation debates and issues. Points for covering transgender and gender nonconforming folks in these pages, but only a couple because it was woefully short coverage.
grannyweatherwax88's review against another edition
5.0
This book was excellent and has provided me with tons of ideas about how to become a better menstrual advocate. Jennifer Weiss-Wolf does a great job of pointing out the issues that need to be addressed and providing pragmatic solutions for them. I also appreciate the way she situates menstrual equity within broader contexts like poverty, environmentalism, homelessness, incarceration and transphobia.
flaviaaalouise's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. If you menstruate yourself or know someone who does and are mentally and emotionally capable of dealing with the topic, please read it. And also reaearch what it's like in your country if you're not in the US yourself.
kacie_08's review against another edition
3.0
Slightly outdated in places and reads as kinda self-praising but not in a good way? There's some slight talking down to teen readers as well in places, which isn't great because I feel the content in this book should have been targeted more specifically at teens.
historynerd04's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
A very eye opening, if a bit preachy, book. Author throws a ton at you. Some chapters are more reader friendly than others, so be prepared for footnotes galore. Despite the unevenness, it is vital information to know, especially as a woman.
One last issue - the author has a bit of a savior complex in some chapters.
Despite these hiccups, this is a very timely read.
Thanks to netgalley for a copy to review.
A very eye opening, if a bit preachy, book. Author throws a ton at you. Some chapters are more reader friendly than others, so be prepared for footnotes galore. Despite the unevenness, it is vital information to know, especially as a woman.
One last issue - the author has a bit of a savior complex in some chapters.
Despite these hiccups, this is a very timely read.
Thanks to netgalley for a copy to review.
jessicabeckett's review against another edition
3.0
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Edelweiss by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
Review also found here.
I wanted to like this book. As a woman, as a feminist. I really did. And in many ways, I did. At least, I appreciate the general message behind it. This review has been on the back-burner for me because despite having finished the book itself months ago, I couldn't quite understand what I wanted to say during my review. Periods Gone Public is a bit of a mixed bag for me and for a while, I couldn't put my finger on what I wanted to say.
Recently, I stumbled upon a review of the book by some-one else and it really spoke what I couldn't about the list of negatives that came with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf's prose and where the novel failed for me, personally. The first thing I should say before directing you to this specific review and continuing on with my own thoughts about Periods Gone Public is that I didn't necessarily hate the book. Truly, I didn't, and I want to acknowledge the premise and story behind it as something that is highly relevant and necessary when it comes to feminine care and health.
So, let's get down to the nitty gritty--I want to quote a review by Nenia on Goodreads. Not everything in her review stands true to me (Cringe. Tumblr poetry? Tumblr feminism? Don't make me laugh.) but there was a section that felt like it was very worth pointing out. You can find her at the link above or on her blog:
"So the fact that I agreed with this book and still didn't like it says something. What does it say? The author - in my opinion - did not write a very good book. I'd say 85% of the problem was tone. It's super ironic that she quotes Andi Zeisler's WE WERE FEMINISTS, which is a condemnation of people who commandeer the feminist movement to promote their own personal agenda, because Weiss-Wolf toots her own horn in PERIODS GONE PUBLIC a lot. We get to hear about all the projects she participates in - and yes, that's wonderful. But also not what I wanted to read about. And the way she talks about it is a bit difficult to explain, but to me it felt a little smarmy. Especially when she refers to low-income individuals as "the poor." It came across as sounding very privileged to me, which made reading this book unpleasant."
Which pretty much nails my thoughts straight down. There was a lot to the tone that was off-putting for me and for much of the book, I couldn't get past this. There were occasions when I had to pull my focus back because I found the prose to be insufferable and very, very painful. Because, sometimes, you need to handle topics with a certain level of care--and I felt like this book just didn't.
(Not to mention, it felt to drag on in some parts. In the way that brought no information to the pages in question, only continuing to explore the previous topics--without providing anything new to the narrative.)
It wasn't the worst thing to read, mind you, but it could have been so much more than it was. A lot of problematic moments.
Back to the positives:
-I do appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish with the book. Further, I appreciate what she does in her day-to-day life for many reasons. I think that frank discussion of every-thing related to menstruation is very, very important. And a lot can be said. And a lot needs to be done. My criticisms about the way this book was penned is not at all directed at the author's accomplishments and I do want to acknowledge that.
- I mean, the fact that talking about periods is still considered to be a taboo in modern society? I cringe. Weiss-Wolf is one of the many people who want to, rightfully, knock that shit down. It is long overdo. Where there are many questionable portions of this book, I am here for all of the conversations this will bring to the forefront.
-I'm not a fan of the way she refers to low-income/homeless women in need for feminine care and hygiene, but the fact that she is taking the time to remind people of these issues in our society is--point blank--fantastic. For a lot of people, it's not a thought that crosses their mind due to their own privilege. Anyone willing to shine the light on that narrative, spread awareness and hopefully lead the charge of change is pretty damn awesome in my eyes.
- Flaws aside, it will nudge readers in the right direction to talk more about what it means to have a period and how it effects others in the world. And that is so, so, so important.
I definitely think that Periods Gone Public is a book that is worth looking into.
Review also found here.
I wanted to like this book. As a woman, as a feminist. I really did. And in many ways, I did. At least, I appreciate the general message behind it. This review has been on the back-burner for me because despite having finished the book itself months ago, I couldn't quite understand what I wanted to say during my review. Periods Gone Public is a bit of a mixed bag for me and for a while, I couldn't put my finger on what I wanted to say.
Recently, I stumbled upon a review of the book by some-one else and it really spoke what I couldn't about the list of negatives that came with Jennifer Weiss-Wolf's prose and where the novel failed for me, personally. The first thing I should say before directing you to this specific review and continuing on with my own thoughts about Periods Gone Public is that I didn't necessarily hate the book. Truly, I didn't, and I want to acknowledge the premise and story behind it as something that is highly relevant and necessary when it comes to feminine care and health.
So, let's get down to the nitty gritty--I want to quote a review by Nenia on Goodreads. Not everything in her review stands true to me (Cringe. Tumblr poetry? Tumblr feminism? Don't make me laugh.) but there was a section that felt like it was very worth pointing out. You can find her at the link above or on her blog:
"So the fact that I agreed with this book and still didn't like it says something. What does it say? The author - in my opinion - did not write a very good book. I'd say 85% of the problem was tone. It's super ironic that she quotes Andi Zeisler's WE WERE FEMINISTS, which is a condemnation of people who commandeer the feminist movement to promote their own personal agenda, because Weiss-Wolf toots her own horn in PERIODS GONE PUBLIC a lot. We get to hear about all the projects she participates in - and yes, that's wonderful. But also not what I wanted to read about. And the way she talks about it is a bit difficult to explain, but to me it felt a little smarmy. Especially when she refers to low-income individuals as "the poor." It came across as sounding very privileged to me, which made reading this book unpleasant."
Which pretty much nails my thoughts straight down. There was a lot to the tone that was off-putting for me and for much of the book, I couldn't get past this. There were occasions when I had to pull my focus back because I found the prose to be insufferable and very, very painful. Because, sometimes, you need to handle topics with a certain level of care--and I felt like this book just didn't.
(Not to mention, it felt to drag on in some parts. In the way that brought no information to the pages in question, only continuing to explore the previous topics--without providing anything new to the narrative.)
It wasn't the worst thing to read, mind you, but it could have been so much more than it was. A lot of problematic moments.
Back to the positives:
-I do appreciate what the author was trying to accomplish with the book. Further, I appreciate what she does in her day-to-day life for many reasons. I think that frank discussion of every-thing related to menstruation is very, very important. And a lot can be said. And a lot needs to be done. My criticisms about the way this book was penned is not at all directed at the author's accomplishments and I do want to acknowledge that.
- I mean, the fact that talking about periods is still considered to be a taboo in modern society? I cringe. Weiss-Wolf is one of the many people who want to, rightfully, knock that shit down. It is long overdo. Where there are many questionable portions of this book, I am here for all of the conversations this will bring to the forefront.
-I'm not a fan of the way she refers to low-income/homeless women in need for feminine care and hygiene, but the fact that she is taking the time to remind people of these issues in our society is--point blank--fantastic. For a lot of people, it's not a thought that crosses their mind due to their own privilege. Anyone willing to shine the light on that narrative, spread awareness and hopefully lead the charge of change is pretty damn awesome in my eyes.
- Flaws aside, it will nudge readers in the right direction to talk more about what it means to have a period and how it effects others in the world. And that is so, so, so important.
I definitely think that Periods Gone Public is a book that is worth looking into.
libra17's review against another edition
5.0
I stumbled across Periods Gone Public while browsing on amazon, and picked it up both because the topic sounded interesting and because I'm perennially interested in public policy and policy health, both of which this book promised to address. I have to say that I am extremely impressed.
Weiss-Wolf takes a topic that usually gets shunted off to the side and explains the health and wellness implications of consistently ignoring menstruation in public policy. Various chapters discuss the health implications of lack of access to proper supplies (infrequent changing, which leads to frequent urinary tract infections and an increased risk of other reproductive health problems; increased use of potentially dangerous substitues, such as the story of one girl in India who ended up requiring a hysterectomy at 13 after using cloth which she was unaware was infested with reptile eggs; etc), menstruation in prison (everything from inadequate menstrual supplies available, the 'rationing' of menstrual supplies meaning that there's not enough to go around, unfair distribution of menstrual supplies by guards and/other inmates, lack of access to working toilets/showers even menstruation despite risks to other inmates/guards of potential blood-borne pathogens, refusal to launder blood-stained uniforms/bedding or provide new uniforms/bedding due to the laundry schedule, etc) or while homeless (lack of access to hygiene facilities, lack of privacy for changing menstrual supplies, the lack of access to laundry facilities, the likelihood that valuable menstrual supplies will be stolen, infrequent changing of menstrual supplies on hand or use of potentially dangerous substitues and the attendent increased risk of infection, the likelihood of stress and lack of dignity associated with forced free bleeding, etc), the implications of the tampon tax and why menstrual supplies should be considered necessities under state tax codes (that are not deemed necessities implies that they are luxuries, but - given the health implications of not using menstrual supplies - this is clearly not the case), the confusing and contridictory classification of menstrual supplies by various state and federal bodies/programs (which result in varying levels of safety oversight and product disclosure by the FDA; for example, we know more about the ingredients in mascara and lipgloss than about tampons or other menstrual supplies), the implications of excluding menstrual supplies from the approved for purchase lists for programs like SNAP and WIC (menstrual supplies are, for some unfathomable reason, put in the same category as pet food, cigarettes, and alcohol), the case for free menstrual supplies available in all restrooms in public spaces and workplaces (such as avoiding lost productivoty at work in the event of an unexpected period start and making an effort for ease of accessibility for all, especially low-wage earners who are likely to have difficulty affording menstrual supplies in the first place), as well as suggestions for first steps and overall policy direction. And Weiss-Wolf does this against the backdrop of inclusion; she goes out of her way to recognize the issues faced by the trans community specifically and build those concerns into policy suggestions.
Periods Gone Public is an extraordinarily well-written book regarding the public policy and social issues with continuing to ignore menstruation, and it is a beacon of hope that period-positive movements already in existence will be able to change the status quo in terms of both culture and policy. Weiss-Wolf does an amazing job reviewing the issues at hand, making a case for suggested changes, and recognizing barriers that will be faced (including the implications of entrepreneurial activism and whether or not businesses can really stand at the helm of lasting, wide-reaching social change; right-wing blowback in general; entrenched dogma regarding women's/trans people's health/bodies; the potential for health issues associated with some periods of for some of the menstruating population to be construed as a built-in, biologically based weakness, meaning that women/trans people should not be entrusted with anything of importance; the age and maleness of the majority of Congress, meaning that issues important to women/trans people often go unrecognized or not dealt with; the issue of environmentally sound products, especially considering that accessibility campaigns usually revolve around disposable menstrual products, the price associated with most environmentally sound menstrual products, and the potential barriers - such as a homeless individual lacking the privacy and soap necessary to clean a menstrual cup - to using reuseables; among other things). While Weiss-Wolf does not offer a 'battle plan' (as she puts it), she does offer a 'blueprint' and ennumerates ways to get involved with menstrual activism. I am also happy with Periods Gone Public being available for borrowing via kindle unlimited, as usually only right-leaning public policy are available for borrowing. Hopefully, that will increase the availability and accesiblility of this book, helping the message of period-positivity and menstrual activism to reach a wider audience. I am.very happy to have found this book, learned a lot from it, and will recommend it to others.
Weiss-Wolf takes a topic that usually gets shunted off to the side and explains the health and wellness implications of consistently ignoring menstruation in public policy. Various chapters discuss the health implications of lack of access to proper supplies (infrequent changing, which leads to frequent urinary tract infections and an increased risk of other reproductive health problems; increased use of potentially dangerous substitues, such as the story of one girl in India who ended up requiring a hysterectomy at 13 after using cloth which she was unaware was infested with reptile eggs; etc), menstruation in prison (everything from inadequate menstrual supplies available, the 'rationing' of menstrual supplies meaning that there's not enough to go around, unfair distribution of menstrual supplies by guards and/other inmates, lack of access to working toilets/showers even menstruation despite risks to other inmates/guards of potential blood-borne pathogens, refusal to launder blood-stained uniforms/bedding or provide new uniforms/bedding due to the laundry schedule, etc) or while homeless (lack of access to hygiene facilities, lack of privacy for changing menstrual supplies, the lack of access to laundry facilities, the likelihood that valuable menstrual supplies will be stolen, infrequent changing of menstrual supplies on hand or use of potentially dangerous substitues and the attendent increased risk of infection, the likelihood of stress and lack of dignity associated with forced free bleeding, etc), the implications of the tampon tax and why menstrual supplies should be considered necessities under state tax codes (that are not deemed necessities implies that they are luxuries, but - given the health implications of not using menstrual supplies - this is clearly not the case), the confusing and contridictory classification of menstrual supplies by various state and federal bodies/programs (which result in varying levels of safety oversight and product disclosure by the FDA; for example, we know more about the ingredients in mascara and lipgloss than about tampons or other menstrual supplies), the implications of excluding menstrual supplies from the approved for purchase lists for programs like SNAP and WIC (menstrual supplies are, for some unfathomable reason, put in the same category as pet food, cigarettes, and alcohol), the case for free menstrual supplies available in all restrooms in public spaces and workplaces (such as avoiding lost productivoty at work in the event of an unexpected period start and making an effort for ease of accessibility for all, especially low-wage earners who are likely to have difficulty affording menstrual supplies in the first place), as well as suggestions for first steps and overall policy direction. And Weiss-Wolf does this against the backdrop of inclusion; she goes out of her way to recognize the issues faced by the trans community specifically and build those concerns into policy suggestions.
Periods Gone Public is an extraordinarily well-written book regarding the public policy and social issues with continuing to ignore menstruation, and it is a beacon of hope that period-positive movements already in existence will be able to change the status quo in terms of both culture and policy. Weiss-Wolf does an amazing job reviewing the issues at hand, making a case for suggested changes, and recognizing barriers that will be faced (including the implications of entrepreneurial activism and whether or not businesses can really stand at the helm of lasting, wide-reaching social change; right-wing blowback in general; entrenched dogma regarding women's/trans people's health/bodies; the potential for health issues associated with some periods of for some of the menstruating population to be construed as a built-in, biologically based weakness, meaning that women/trans people should not be entrusted with anything of importance; the age and maleness of the majority of Congress, meaning that issues important to women/trans people often go unrecognized or not dealt with; the issue of environmentally sound products, especially considering that accessibility campaigns usually revolve around disposable menstrual products, the price associated with most environmentally sound menstrual products, and the potential barriers - such as a homeless individual lacking the privacy and soap necessary to clean a menstrual cup - to using reuseables; among other things). While Weiss-Wolf does not offer a 'battle plan' (as she puts it), she does offer a 'blueprint' and ennumerates ways to get involved with menstrual activism. I am also happy with Periods Gone Public being available for borrowing via kindle unlimited, as usually only right-leaning public policy are available for borrowing. Hopefully, that will increase the availability and accesiblility of this book, helping the message of period-positivity and menstrual activism to reach a wider audience. I am.very happy to have found this book, learned a lot from it, and will recommend it to others.
mzjai117's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so happy I got the opportunity to read this. I happened to stumble on it on my Kindle Unlimited. The author, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf brought up so many topics that I'd pondered previously such as how healthy are pads and tampons as well as the environmental effects on those products but then I read the book and realized just how elitist those views are. I was just discussing reusable menstrual products with a few friends and cup options don't realizing just how privileged we are. We have choices and numerous options but other women certain countries have only dried leaves or rags. The book highlights access to menstrual products in America for incarcerated women, homeless women, periods in school and in the workplace. This book also highlights how religion and culture plays a part in how menstruation is viewed. I wasn't aware that some women in Indian have died because they were relegated to huts with no heating, plumbing or sanitation. Young girls in Africa miss days of school because of their periods. This is totally unacceptable! Tampons and menstrual pads are viewed as a "luxury" while Viagra and Rogaine are seen as medical necessary...The only thing I can say is WTF!!!!! After reading this I've decided to start a drive for menstrual products to donate to women's homeless shelters.
writerrhiannon's review against another edition
5.0
**In this post I review ASK ME ABOUT MY UTERUS and PERIODS GONE PUBLIC. Publishers have provided complementary copies to me in exchange for honest reviews** .
.
Let's talk about...uteruses/uteri! Yes, those are both acceptable plural forms of 'uterus'. Half the human population has one but *wow* are they controversial! However, regardless of where you stand on hot button issues like birth control and abortion, you probably agree that periods, albeit annoying, aren't very revolutionary. But you are also probably (like me) reading this post from somewhere in the United States, you've likely had ready access to feminine hygiene products, and you have hopefully never experienced a medical problem such as endometriosis. In PERIODS GONE PUBLIC: TAKING A STAND FOR MENSTRUAL EQUALITY by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf I discovered that "a new, high-profile movement has emerged—one dedicated to bold activism, creative product innovation, and smart policy advocacy—to address the centrality of menstruation in relation to core issues of gender equality and equity." In dancer Abby Norman's memoir ASK ME ABOUT MY UTERUS: A QUEST TO MAKE DOCTORS BELIEVE WOMEN'S PAIN, Norman describes having her pain dismissed repeatedly by medical professionals and "shows that women's bodies have long been the battleground of a never-ending war for power, control, medical knowledge, and truth. It's time to refute the belief that being a woman is a preexisting condition."
I would recommend these releases to everyone and anyone...you need not have a uterus to learn something from these releases. As a matter of fact, more of the non-uterus owning half of the population should read these!
.
Let's talk about...uteruses/uteri! Yes, those are both acceptable plural forms of 'uterus'. Half the human population has one but *wow* are they controversial! However, regardless of where you stand on hot button issues like birth control and abortion, you probably agree that periods, albeit annoying, aren't very revolutionary. But you are also probably (like me) reading this post from somewhere in the United States, you've likely had ready access to feminine hygiene products, and you have hopefully never experienced a medical problem such as endometriosis. In PERIODS GONE PUBLIC: TAKING A STAND FOR MENSTRUAL EQUALITY by Jennifer Weiss-Wolf I discovered that "a new, high-profile movement has emerged—one dedicated to bold activism, creative product innovation, and smart policy advocacy—to address the centrality of menstruation in relation to core issues of gender equality and equity." In dancer Abby Norman's memoir ASK ME ABOUT MY UTERUS: A QUEST TO MAKE DOCTORS BELIEVE WOMEN'S PAIN, Norman describes having her pain dismissed repeatedly by medical professionals and "shows that women's bodies have long been the battleground of a never-ending war for power, control, medical knowledge, and truth. It's time to refute the belief that being a woman is a preexisting condition."
I would recommend these releases to everyone and anyone...you need not have a uterus to learn something from these releases. As a matter of fact, more of the non-uterus owning half of the population should read these!