Being a woman myself, I felt like I could really connect with Gloria Steinem's "If Men Could Menstruate" and Margaret Fuller's "The Great Lawsuit." A word that came up in both of these essays was "weak" relating to women. What men do not realize is how important women are to our society and how much they do for men. Women are said to be equal to men, compared to how they were treated centuries ago, but has the equality actually changed? I believe it has changed, but yet women are still not being appreciated like they should be.
Although "The Great Lawsuit" was very difficult to comprehend, Fuller's point came across clear. "All men are privately influenced by women," I believe this is true. I know I influence the men in my life, at least I hope I do. And I know I am not the only woman out there who has an impact on a man, whether men realize it or not. They could not function correctly without us. Fuller says in her article that the reason why men and women are not "equal" is, "to avoid collision and to bring forth ravishing harmony." If men and women were treated the same, I believe that we would still get along, but maybe then would women be greatly appreciated like we should.
"If Men Could Menstruate" really gave me a great laugh. That would be the weirdest thing! On a serious note, I agree with Steinem when she claims that menstruation would become enviable, worthy, and masculine. My attention was caught a few sentences later. Men getting their period for the first time would be like the beginning of manhood. This date would be remembered, whereas for girls it does not even matter. Everything would be completely flipped around from being negative to positive. When Gloria Steinem connected this to God, I was particularly interested. "He gave his blood for our sins" None of this is compared to women's period, but if it was a man menstruating it would all change and turn into something that makes men superior to women. It blows my mind how women are not appreciated or treated how they should.
