Monday, May 9, 2011

That Time Of The Month

I saw my grandma yesterday (B. 1929) and I asked her about periods back then. This is what she said (paraphrased):

Me: So what happened when you first got your period?
GM: I was 12 and I had no idea what it was! My mother saw the blood in my panties and handed me a pad and a belt. It was then that she told me about periods.

Me: What about tampons?
GM: I never even heard of them until the 50s. They weren't really widely used until then.

Me: Were pads "hidden" behind the counter or were they out in the open like today?
GM: They were out on the shelves just like today, but I used to be so embarassed to buy them! I would get my mom to do it (she says while laughing!)

And to make this post even more of a spectacle, here are some period ads from the 30s to the 60s and some douche ads thrown in for fun.

1931:

1932:
Need help talking to your 12 year old daughter?

1933:
CRINGE

1934:

1937:

1937:
If "men were men" in the "Golden Era" I surly hope these ads are full of shit and that husbands were MAN ENOUGH to tell their wives their vajayjay's were smelly :/

1937:
Menstrual Cup

1939:

1939:

1940:

1940:

1944:

1945:

1945:

1945:

1946:

1947:

1950:

1954:

1961:
Special period panties!! She didn't even miss a day of work because it didn't leak all over! Amazing!

1962:


Also, according to my grandmother and her world there was never any type of social stigma attached with getting your period or buying feminine products. They WEREN'T behind the counter in brown paper bags -- at least not where she grew up. And Mom-Mom grew up in the most rural and remote of places you can imagine. Still lives there to this day!

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