I was blessed to be raised in a home where reproductive health was openly discussed— my mom was a labor and delivery nurse. She had a truly subversive commitment to avoiding any body shaming, and taught my sister and I that our cycle, our hormones, and our bodies were a gift and responsibility. I have never heard any religious educators talk about women’s bodies that way, which is a tragedy. My peers frequently talked to my mother about their cycles and bodies, and she was a willing ear and helper. The thing is, if we are ashamed and whispering about ourselves, it makes it easier for us to carry shame and whispering about our other realities— if someone is abusing us, or is we need help. In the larger Christian church (and other belief systems), keeping women quiet and ashamed is a deliberate agenda. When we embrace our bodies and defy shame, we are also embracing the power of our feminine bodies. That is a very subversive thing to do.
Wow, I definitely must purchase the book, thank you for sharing the excerpt!
I got my first period on my 13th birthday. It leaked through my pants at school and I was mortified.
As a distance runner I took secret pride in training so hard that I lost my cycle.
Years later, my doctor urged me to recover from my eating disorder because not having a period for so long was detrimental to my fertility...that inspired me to starve further.
I had an unplanned pregnancy. God saved me through it...motherhood and this incarnational love was the tipping point for my long crawl back to the Church and healing.
I think Church teaching on this has huge potential to bring many women back home.
Thank you for sharing some of your story! Sadly, I picked up language from the church that fueled my own bodily struggles. Part of why I care so much about returning the sacred to our bodies especially as women!
Definitely putting this book on the TBR list. I'd be surprised if it wasn't required reading for one of my Sexuality and Gender graduate program classes!
I'm so glad this topic is being addressed more frequently. Personally, it's difficult for me to switch gears from decades of cultural dismissal of the topic of female reproduction outside of abortion rights to highlighting what's amazing about the female body. It's probably why I'm devouring content like this and applauding those who provide it while sitting in my comfy chair drinking my morning cup of tea. It's definitely why I'm enrolled in graduate school on the subject. I look forward to seeing the subject matter switch from the "what" needs to change to the "How are we going to make it happen?"
I'm in the 1st cohort of graduate programs focused on Catholic Women's and Gender Studies at the University of St. Thomas-Houston's Nesti Center for Faith and Culture. I'm enrolled in the Sexuality and Gender certificate and, after a little more experience with graduate level work (I'm 59 and haven't been "doing school" for decades) I'm considering rolling that work into the Master of Arts in Catholic Women's and Gender Studies program. The first class this semester has 23 students from various programs meeting virtually. The course is called, The Human Person, and we're journeying through Metaphysics with Aristotle and his Ancient philosophy buddies, Aquinas, as well as Escalanda and Favale. It's very challenging (I'm an accountant) but interesting. This course is being repeated next semester, too, for all newcomers into the program.
Thank you for sharing this excerpt!! I am a Theology of the Body fanboy but I was blind to this reality. I am going to get this book for myself, my wife, and my daughter. God bless!!
I deliberately starved myself to near death when I was 14. In 1974, anorexia was virtually unknown. Because I never got the proper treatment, I suffered from disordered eating most of my life. I never got my period. Yet I gave birth to two healthy "miracle babies ".
Ironically, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer 8 years ago. God certainly has a sense of humor!
As someone who lives and breathes (and writes) in the realm of redeeming reproductive health and our relationship with it, I loved seeing this excerpt! Thanks for your words and raising awareness, Stephanie Duncan Smith
I was blessed to be raised in a home where reproductive health was openly discussed— my mom was a labor and delivery nurse. She had a truly subversive commitment to avoiding any body shaming, and taught my sister and I that our cycle, our hormones, and our bodies were a gift and responsibility. I have never heard any religious educators talk about women’s bodies that way, which is a tragedy. My peers frequently talked to my mother about their cycles and bodies, and she was a willing ear and helper. The thing is, if we are ashamed and whispering about ourselves, it makes it easier for us to carry shame and whispering about our other realities— if someone is abusing us, or is we need help. In the larger Christian church (and other belief systems), keeping women quiet and ashamed is a deliberate agenda. When we embrace our bodies and defy shame, we are also embracing the power of our feminine bodies. That is a very subversive thing to do.
It’s all connected, isn’t it? Love the way you speak about subversion here!
Wow, I definitely must purchase the book, thank you for sharing the excerpt!
I got my first period on my 13th birthday. It leaked through my pants at school and I was mortified.
As a distance runner I took secret pride in training so hard that I lost my cycle.
Years later, my doctor urged me to recover from my eating disorder because not having a period for so long was detrimental to my fertility...that inspired me to starve further.
I had an unplanned pregnancy. God saved me through it...motherhood and this incarnational love was the tipping point for my long crawl back to the Church and healing.
I think Church teaching on this has huge potential to bring many women back home.
Thank you for sharing some of your story! Sadly, I picked up language from the church that fueled my own bodily struggles. Part of why I care so much about returning the sacred to our bodies especially as women!
Mmm yes, often our paths in life stem out of our deepest wounds.
I can't wait to read the rest of the book. Thank you for answering your call!
Definitely putting this book on the TBR list. I'd be surprised if it wasn't required reading for one of my Sexuality and Gender graduate program classes!
I'm so glad this topic is being addressed more frequently. Personally, it's difficult for me to switch gears from decades of cultural dismissal of the topic of female reproduction outside of abortion rights to highlighting what's amazing about the female body. It's probably why I'm devouring content like this and applauding those who provide it while sitting in my comfy chair drinking my morning cup of tea. It's definitely why I'm enrolled in graduate school on the subject. I look forward to seeing the subject matter switch from the "what" needs to change to the "How are we going to make it happen?"
As someone who writes on the intersection of fertility and faith often, I would love to hear what you cover in your graduate courses!
I'm in the 1st cohort of graduate programs focused on Catholic Women's and Gender Studies at the University of St. Thomas-Houston's Nesti Center for Faith and Culture. I'm enrolled in the Sexuality and Gender certificate and, after a little more experience with graduate level work (I'm 59 and haven't been "doing school" for decades) I'm considering rolling that work into the Master of Arts in Catholic Women's and Gender Studies program. The first class this semester has 23 students from various programs meeting virtually. The course is called, The Human Person, and we're journeying through Metaphysics with Aristotle and his Ancient philosophy buddies, Aquinas, as well as Escalanda and Favale. It's very challenging (I'm an accountant) but interesting. This course is being repeated next semester, too, for all newcomers into the program.
https://www.stthom.edu/Academics/Centers-of-Excellence/Center-for-Faith-Culture/Academic-Programs/Master-of-Arts-in-Catholic-Womens-Gender-Studies/Index.aqf?Aquifer_Source_URL=%2FGenderStudies&PNF_Check=1
Fascinating to learn about your studies! Brava—not easy work!
THANK YOU, Stephanie! This program looks amazing!
Thank you for sharing this excerpt!! I am a Theology of the Body fanboy but I was blind to this reality. I am going to get this book for myself, my wife, and my daughter. God bless!!
Thank you for reading, Greg!
Utterly beautiful. Can't wait to read Stephanie's book. Thank you both so much for sharing this sneak peek (and what a peek!) here. So powerful. 🙏
In a very related way, I needed to be reminded of this today.
Such a beautiful perspective! I've preordered and can't wait to receive Stephanie's book next week.
Thanks so much, Carolyn! Honored to have you as a reader.
I deliberately starved myself to near death when I was 14. In 1974, anorexia was virtually unknown. Because I never got the proper treatment, I suffered from disordered eating most of my life. I never got my period. Yet I gave birth to two healthy "miracle babies ".
Ironically, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer 8 years ago. God certainly has a sense of humor!
What a story your body has lived!
As someone who lives and breathes (and writes) in the realm of redeeming reproductive health and our relationship with it, I loved seeing this excerpt! Thanks for your words and raising awareness, Stephanie Duncan Smith
Thank you for reading! This is my cup of tea as well, and my book shows it 😆
Love it! The more, the better -- it's great to get these kinds of conversations going. Congrats on your book!