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For "most" women, but not by a large margin or anything. And even for women where it's "not so bad", they are still sick as fuck for at least one of those days.

For "most" women, but not by a large margin or anything. And even for women where it's "not so bad", they are still sick as fuck for at least one of those days. They hide it better because society has ingrained in them that this sickness is not worth resting for. In your idealistic world we should have no reason to announce why we take off, and we would have more sick days. But sorry, MyHypatia, that's not going to be the case in the US for a while. Maybe in specifically tech it will take off, but I doubt an average worker will experience this benefit. We already think of women of incapable, that is the problem! That's how we got here. Set them up for disaster because they were already incapable of working as much as a man. I think thinking of women as capable means giving them menstrual, pregnancy, and maternity leave. Because it evens out the divide between us. Given that, don't you think setting up institutional policies to protect someone from losing their job if they are menstruating is important?

MyHypatia 5y ago
Seriously, what are you talking about? Women are not "sick as fuck" at least one of those days. I never get "sick as fuck" from my period, and I can't think of a single female friend who is that debilitated by her period. When I go to the bathroom, I change my tampon, which takes about 30 seconds. That's it. When I occasionally have cramps I take an Advil or apply a heating pad. It has zero impact on whether or not I am "well enough" to perform my job. I am not "hiding my sickness". I do not need menstruation leave. Most women are able to function perfectly fine on their periods. I am not set up for disaster because I work while I am on my period. I don't work less than men when I am on my period. Yes, some women happen to have painful periods, just like some people happen to have painful migraines or allergies. And they should decide for themselves how to use their sick leave.
- meristohm 5y ago
  Fair points, and as someone who can only imagine what it’s like to menstruate, I hope for more women to be part of (if not fully control?) the decision-making processes that affect women’s bodies. I’m not shy about talking about my vasectomy, but other men might be, so I don’t support mandatory disclosure of why a person is taking time off to recover. Not a perfect analogy, since hopefully it’s a one-time procedure, and it’s not a natural process like menstruation is. I reiterate support for people having autonomy over their bodies.

MyHypatia 5y ago

Seriously, what are you talking about? Women are not "sick as fuck" at least one of those days. I never get "sick as fuck" from my period, and I can't think of a single female friend who is that debilitated by her period. When I go to the bathroom, I change my tampon, which takes about 30 seconds. That's it. When I occasionally have cramps I take an Advil or apply a heating pad. It has zero impact on whether or not I am "well enough" to perform my job. I am not "hiding my sickness". I do not need menstruation leave. Most women are able to function perfectly fine on their periods. I am not set up for disaster because I work while I am on my period. I don't work less than men when I am on my period. Yes, some women happen to have painful periods, just like some people happen to have painful migraines or allergies. And they should decide for themselves how to use their sick leave.

meristohm 5y ago
Fair points, and as someone who can only imagine what it’s like to menstruate, I hope for more women to be part of (if not fully control?) the decision-making processes that affect women’s bodies. I’m not shy about talking about my vasectomy, but other men might be, so I don’t support mandatory disclosure of why a person is taking time off to recover. Not a perfect analogy, since hopefully it’s a one-time procedure, and it’s not a natural process like menstruation is. I reiterate support for people having autonomy over their bodies.