With the discussion and representation of menstruation in popular media comes the opportunity to educate and accurately represent menstruation as a completely normal biological process. This representation in media can come with a variety of possibilities and options on how to properly demonstrate menstruation to the audience as a natural part of life. However, this is not always the case, as placing menstruation on the big screen for a large audience also makes its representation susceptible to over-dramatization and inaccurate portrayals. This is where we reach the point of realistic representation versus sensationalization for the sake of entertainment.
Over the years, it has not been uncommon for television shows and films to portray menstruation alongside feelings of fear and disgust. When portrayed in this way, menstruation becomes viewed as something to be embarrassed about, especially for any potential younger audience. When a character bleeds through their clothes or starts their period for the first time, surrounding characters can sometimes make them feel shameful instead of treating it as a normal process. Menstruation being represented solely for the basis of entertainment loses any potential for education, whereas normalization of menstruation allows for periods to be depicted exactly as they are; a normal biological process.
Yes, it is understandable for menstruation to be linked to some feelings of initial discomfort, but following this discomfort with normalization and sufficient education allows for a decrease in the stigma that can already so easily surround menstruation. In the 2019 television show Wayne, main character Del requests for Wayne to purchase tampons for her. Wayne goes through several stores before finally feeling comfortable enough to purchase any menstrual products. Del explains to him why he would not need to feel uncomfortable about such a normal occurrence, and the scene ends with Wayne filling a shopping cart of menstrual products to demonstrate his newfound understanding.
This is an example of how the discussion of menstruation can feel uncomfortable at first, but addressing the stigma directly allows for the education for any audience who may not fully understand yet, even if it is just addressed casually. Dramatization of menstruation can be detrimental to an accurate understanding of its process, making such a natural process into something we should fear or rely on for the sake of entertainment. Realistic portrayal of menstruation as a naturally occurring process can play a significant role in proper education while allowing for individuals who do menstruate to not feel out of place.
Comments