What will happen, if men could menstruate? It would become enviable, boast-worthy and masculine event. Men will brag about how long and how much and boys will mark the onset of menses as the longed-for proof of manhood, with religious and stag parties. Sanitary supplies will be funded by the government and will be free. Military men will cite menstruation as proof that only men could serve in the Army (you can only give blood to take blood); Political men will say, "Can women be aggressive without the steadfast cycle governed by the planet Mars?"; Priests will say, "How can a woman shed her blood for our sins?"; And male radicals will say women are equal, but different, and that if women want to ebter their ranks, they must be willing to self-inflict a major wound every month!
Street guys will brag, "I'm a three-pad man" and acknowledge praise from a buddy who says they're looking good by saying, "Yeah, man, I'm on the rag!" TV shows will treat the subject at length ("Happy Days": Ethan and Jeremy try to convice Fonzie that he is still "The Fonz", though he has missed two periods in a row.) The same goes for the newspapers: SHARK SCARE THREATENS MENSTRUATING MEN. JUDGE PARDONS RAPISTS BECAUSE OF MONTHLY STRESS. And in the movies: Brad Pitt and George Clooney in "Blood Brothers". Men will convince women that sex is pleasurable at "that time of the month". Medical schools will limit women's admissions cuz they'll faint at the sight of blood. Menopause will be celebrated as accumulated years of wisdom to need no more.
People will tell you that, "Your husband's blood is as sacred as that of Jesus...and so sexy too"
If men could menstruate, power justifications will probably go on forever.
- Adapted from Gloria Steinem in "Gendered Worlds"
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