More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
Biocultural Markers of Women ASB 211
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16. Fattening Houses Dowry Deaths Cross-Cultural
Analysis
Childbirth Forced Marriages
Ethnocentric Female Genital
Mutilation
Western Feminism Female Genital
Operations
Cultural Bias
Gender-based
violence
Control over
Women’s Bodies Cultural
Relativism
Marriage Female Sexuality
Biocultural
Markers
Reproductive Cycle Feminism Women’s Lives Infanticide
Media Portrayals
of Women
Menstrual Taboos Advocacy Pregnancy Maidenhood
Editor's Notes
This is where women’s lives differ most significantly from men
This is where authorities place their most substantial controls on women
These transitions, such as puberty or motherhood, are also rich sources of emotions and even feelings of spirituality for many women.
These biological processes also link women across political and cultural boundaries.
Regulations are usually maintained by marrying girls off early, before they are sexually mature. Just like in Nisa.
Menstrual taboos regulate contact with women who are on their periods.
Here are a few examples of beliefs about polluting blood from around the world: it poisons men during sex, attracts bears and other predators, it prevents fermentation in wine and cheesemaking, it sours bread and milk. Interestingly though, there are many many beliefs around the world about the use of menstrual blood to heal open wounds, epilepsy, parasites, rabies, and liver problems.
Regulations and taboos, rather than oppressing women, given women spiritual and ritual power, and in cultures other than our own, these taboos all women to ensure their own autonomy, influence, and social control.
“Husbands are for the night, children are for the days”
Childlessness in many cultures is compared to food without salt.
In other words, a woman is not a full person without bearing children.q
In the U.S., the contractual, business side of surrogacy is downplayed, and most surrogates report wanting to help other women as their primary reason.
In Israel, however, surrogacy is considered an infertility treatment and most surrogates report money as their primary reason.
