Research Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Study on Prejudice Pertaining to Menstruation among Rural Women of Sullia Taluk, Karnataka State


Affiliations
1 MSW Course, Mangalore University, Mangala Gangothri, Karnataka, 574199, India
2 Humanities Block, Mangalore University, Karnataka, 574199, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Menstruation is stigmatized in our society. This stigma built up due to traditional beliefs in impurity of menstruating women and our unwillingness to discuss it normally. We don't know what may have been the reason that forced the holy men to refer to menstruating women as 'unclean'. But all religions refer to menstruating woman as 'ritually unclean'. The society shies away from discussing menstruating. This leads to a lot of convenience for young girls. Many girls and women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Not entering the "puja" room is the major restriction among urban girls whereas, not entering the kitchen is the main restriction among the rural girls during menstruation. Menstruating girls and women are also restricted from offering prayers and touching holy book. The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation. It is further believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated. with these a research is conducted to know are there any taboos existing still.

Keywords

Prejudice, Taboos, Menstruation, Rural Women.
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Dasgupta A, Sarkar M (2008) - Menstrual hygiene: How hygienic is the adolescent girl?. Indian Journal of Community Medicine; 33 (2):77-80.

  • Ikraoha CI, MbadiweI C, Allaguha DO and others in their study "Menarchial Age of Secondary School Girls in Urban and Rural Areas of River State, Nigeria".

  • Mandal K. Teaching adolescent school girls about menstrual hygiene. The Indian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, Vol. 1, September 1998, 19-26.

  • Anuradha. Menstrual hygiene practices and reproductive morbidity- A community based survey in rural Kerala. Available at (http://www.sctiinst.ac.in/anchess)

  • Patkar, A. and Bharadwaj, S. (2004). Menstrual Hygiene and Management in Developing Countries: Taking Stock, Mumbai: Junction Social, (Online), Available:www.mum.org/menhydev.htm.

  • Nkandi. O. (2011). Menstruation and Menstrual Hygiene among Women and Young Females in Rural Eastern Nigeria.Avilable: www.stanonline.org/journal/pdf/JSTAN-Nkadi%202011.pdf.

  • Shanbhag, RD. Shilpa, R. D’Souza, N. Josphine, P. Singh, J. Goud, B.R. (2012). Perceptions Regarding Menstruation and Practices during Menstrual Cycle among High school Adolescent Girls in Resource Limited Setting around Bangalore City Karnataka, India. International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine and Public Health 4(7): 1353-1362.

  • Anjum, F. Zehra, N. Haider, G. Rani, S. Siddique, A.A. Munir, A.A.(2010) Attitude Towards Menstruation Among Young Women. Pak J Med Sci 26(3):619-622.

  • Dhingra, R., Kumar, A and Kour, M. (2009). Knowledge and Practices Related to Menstruation Samong Tribal (Gujjar) Adolescent Girls. Studies on Ethno Medicine 3(1):43-48


Abstract Views: 388

PDF Views: 0




  • Study on Prejudice Pertaining to Menstruation among Rural Women of Sullia Taluk, Karnataka State

Abstract Views: 388  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

B. Yashaswini
MSW Course, Mangalore University, Mangala Gangothri, Karnataka, 574199, India
Bhavva
Humanities Block, Mangalore University, Karnataka, 574199, India

Abstract


Menstruation is stigmatized in our society. This stigma built up due to traditional beliefs in impurity of menstruating women and our unwillingness to discuss it normally. We don't know what may have been the reason that forced the holy men to refer to menstruating women as 'unclean'. But all religions refer to menstruating woman as 'ritually unclean'. The society shies away from discussing menstruating. This leads to a lot of convenience for young girls. Many girls and women are subject to restrictions in their daily lives simply because they are menstruating. Not entering the "puja" room is the major restriction among urban girls whereas, not entering the kitchen is the main restriction among the rural girls during menstruation. Menstruating girls and women are also restricted from offering prayers and touching holy book. The underlying basis for this myth is also the cultural beliefs of impurity associated with menstruation. It is further believed that menstruating women are unhygienic and unclean and hence the food they prepare or handle can get contaminated. with these a research is conducted to know are there any taboos existing still.

Keywords


Prejudice, Taboos, Menstruation, Rural Women.

References