Social & Cultural Influences on Society Essays - Menstrual Cycle

I have learned that certain social and cultural traditions and beliefs throughout history have played a huge role in the way society behaves today. As women began entering the workforce, due to economic demands, they realized that they could have a life outside of the social norm of being just "housewives." Women began to gain independence. They also found that they were no longer inferior to men, and were expressing how they felt more openly. These and many other factors led to the feminist movement of the 60's. And with the feminist movement came other movements, such as the Black Movement, the ERA, the Mexican-American movement, etc. Groups with common concerns began to join together and make a statement. On the other hand, cultural beliefs have suppressed some societies. The Dogons, for example, still practice the tradition of the "menstrual huts" as a way for the men to control the women of their society, and to better identify the paternity of the children born. The Dogon men have instilled in their women that they must enter a hut at the onset of their menstrual cycle and remain there until the cycle is completed. If the women choose not to do this, they are made to believe that bad luck will fall upon the village and crops will be ruined, therefore ostracizing them from the village. Although reluctant, women continue to follow the traditional beliefs out of a fear that they will have no financial support for themselves and their children if they go against the men.