Home Institution
The University of Texas at Austin
Publication Date
Fall 2019
Abstract
This study analyzes the socio-cultural norms and perceptions of menstruation between two generations of women in rural Jamkhed, Maharashtra. Interview questions were prepared for women between the ages of 18-26 and 35 or older to determine the level of dilution of the menstrual taboo and stigmas between age groups. All women resided in two villages in the rural area surrounding Jamkhed, Maharashtra. A variety of socio-cultural perceptions and practices were explored to determine their correlation with external influences on the shifting menstruation narrative. The socio-cultural factors of focus are family structure, media exposure, choice of material use, disposal and sustainability, segregation practices, and normalcy of discussion. The impact of CRHP as a source of information for community women is explored as well. The reappearing stigma that the woman is impure and polluted during menstruation is observed indirectly through interview questions regarding segregation practices. The overall significance of this study is to assist in developing an understanding of how the menstruation narrative is evolving between generations by building context of the socio-cultural practices and their influences.
Disciplines
Asian Studies | Gender and Sexuality | Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Reproductive and Urinary Physiology | Social and Cultural Anthropology | Women's Health | Women's Studies
Recommended Citation
Scales, Addison, "Socio-Cultural Norms and Perceptions of Menstruation: An Intergenerational Analysis of Rural Jamkhed, Maharashtra" (2019). Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection. 3206.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/isp_collection/3206
Included in
Asian Studies Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Ethnicity in Communication Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons, Reproductive and Urinary Physiology Commons, Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons, Women's Health Commons, Women's Studies Commons
Program Name
India: Public Health, Gender, and Community Action