When [men] go to war, what they want is to impose on their enemies the victor's will and call it peace.
Saint AugustineRead
Menstruation not only carries with it the connotation of a productive system that has failed to produce; it also carries the idea of production gone awry, making products of no use, not to specification, unsalable, wasted, scrap.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote critiques societal views on menstruation, highlighting how it is perceived as a failure in terms of productivity and utility.
Emily Martin's quote challenges the societal narrative surrounding menstruation, pointing out that it is often framed as a failure of the reproductive system. She emphasizes how menstruation is not only seen as an unfulfilled potential but also as a failed production process, where the natural biological outcomes are viewed negatively, resulting in feelings of inadequacy and wastefulness in women’s bodies and, by extension, in a society that values productivity and utility.
Themes
MenstruationProductivitySocietyWomenUtility
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about women's health, this quote can be used to highlight negative societal perceptions of menstruation.
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