Several months ago, Janice Johnson Dias posed an important question: could we undertake a similar analysis of menstrual cycles as we did for menopause? Her question got me thinking about the differences between period tax and period poverty and how these issues affect low-income households with people who menstruate.
Period tax, also known as tampon or pink tax, refers to the additional cost associated with menstrual or feminine hygiene products. In contrast, Period poverty is the inability to afford these essential supplies. Recognizing the distinction between period tax and period poverty helps us better understand and frame the financial burden of purchasing menstrual products for these households.
Over the next two weeks, 12/11 and 12/18, our intern, Beayonie Washington, a senior journalism major at Bennett College, and research assistant, Lily Johnson, will explore the economic consequences of menstrual cycles for households below the poverty line.
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