Built on Blood: Understanding Menstrual Attitudes in Sex Work
Platis, Athanasia
Citations
Abstract
There exists a stigma at the intersection of sex work and menstruation, as well as an intersection of stigma with menstruation and other social identities. The purpose of this research is to examine these intersections of stigmas, as well as examine the possible shift in menstrual understandings and attitudes. This is an exploratory study conducts of this intersection. Based on a survey of 261 individuals, primarily white women from the Southern United States, I argue that there exists a special stigma at the intersection of sex work and menstruation because of stigma management as a result of deviant identities. I also examine menstrual stigma and attitudes in the group surveyed, and compare menstrual attitudes based on race, education, and other social identities and factors. Finally, I consider the results of these attitudes, intersections, and stigmas associated with sex work and menstruation, to better understand contemporary menstrual hygiene, stigma, and attitudes.
