Women’ s Supplement
Deodorantis Deodorant, Right? WRONG!

If you are a woman it is quite
likely the producttargetedatyouwill
besmallerand moreexpensive thana
man’s product.

Couple the extra cost of the
deodorant with the fact that women
earn only 64 cents for every dollar
men earn and you've discovered a
new brand of sexism.

Actually, thedifferencein pricing
ofsimilar productsandservicesaimed
at women, lawmakers or consumer
protectionagencies have long tried to
address.

Ascording to Montreal-area
marketing practices branch of
Consumer and Corporate Affairs
Canada, complaints about pricing
come from both women and men in
equal numbers.

Even consumer lobby grompe
don’t see differences in pricing
products or services used by both
women and men as a pressing

According to Francesca Dalio of
the Federation Nationale
d’ Associations deConsommaters du
Quebec,a provincial consumer group,
“most women are more aware than

Books ThatHeal

by Nora Gillis
The Courage to Heal

by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
MMarnar 2 Raw COR EN

 

(Harper & Row, $26.95)

These are two of the best books
available for adult survivors of
childhood sexual abuse. If you are a
survivor and have decided you're
ready to work on healing, invest in
oneor both of them. If you’rein pain,
and stuck on a waiting list for

ing, and don’t know how
you'llmakeit—they could save your
life.

Even if you've been in oe
for years, dhemshockuiaie well
owning as adjuncts to your therapy
andassuj incrisis. You deserve
all the help, guidance and support
youcan

The to Heal was written
by a survivor and the er of a
survivor, both of whom counsel and
lead workshops on recovery from
childhood sexual abuse.

Authors Bass and Davis have
written a comprehensive guide for
femalesurvivors: from Soir that
you ipesiyan to recognizing the
effects, right through the healing

is also an excellent
section for family members, partners
and counsellors of survivors.

The last section of this book
contains the personal stories of 15
‘Courageous Women’ and their

The whole book is liberally
peppered with poems, writings and
from women survivors, and
reflects the of women of
various cultures, races and sexual
orientation.

The Courage to Heal Workbook
was written for both maleand female
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than TheCouragetoHeal: itbasically
walks the survivor step-by-step

the healing process.

Included are sections on
remembering, dealing with crisis,
nurturing yourself, breaking silence,
grieving, anger and confronting the
abuser. Davis has also written an
appendix on healing sexually.

Both books include writing
exercises, and the Workbookalsohas
several art exercises, checklists and
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If you are an adult survivor of
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good for yourself today: buy, beg or
borrow one of these books. They are
invaluable and empowering guides
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happiness.

men of food prices and nutritional
requirements.”

Although Dalio acknowledges
women are likely to > Pay more for
mechanical servicing of theircars than
men, she says times are changing.
Today, Dalio says are more likely to
fare better when dealing with their
mechanics.

“There are more women car
owners and they are more aware,”
she says.

Butwomenstill havetodeal with
theattitudes of those setting the prices
they pay fro car-related services.
According to Linda Perez of the
Academy-Ogilvyadvertising agency,
the auto industry is still driven by
gender stereotypes.

“Women’s and men’s
knowledgeoncarbuyingandrepairs
is equal but women are perceived to
know less,” says Perez. “They‘re
perceived to know less because of
‘traditional’ views and because they
ask more questions.”

Perez notes that certain pricing
policiesare very unequal. Hairsalons
are a prime example, she says.

Andwomenmaybepayingmore
for certain products because they are
“more brand loyal”, says Perez. A
product may increase in price but
women willremainloyalconsumers.

According to Perez, women’s
willingness to buy a productis based
on two criterion. She says women
willack themcelvec “Willitmakeame

Everything YouEverWanted To Know About Birth Control

Spermicides:
Sperm killing foams, jellies,
creams, orspermicidal lo: both

block the entrance to the uterus and
killsperm chemically. They are most
effective when used in conjunction
witha diaphragm or condom.

Usé The spermicide is inserted with
an applicator into the upper part of
the vagina (covering the cervix) not
more that 30 minutes prior to
intercourse. Thes icide must be
ee

Reliability: Spermicide when
used with a condom is up to 99%
effective. Foamalone: (Delfen Foam
istheonly recommended brand)90%
effective. Jellies and creams are 80%
effective.

Advantages: Spermicides are
invaluable in improving the
effectiveness of condoms and
diaphragms. No prescription is
needed. icides also act as a
lubricant. The are easy to
carry. Spermicides may offer some
protection from STDs other than
AIDS.

Disadvantages: Some allergic
reactions may occurand spermicides
may be messy. They offer no
protection from AIDS.

Costs: Applicator kits $10 - 16.
Refills $10 - 15 for 20 uses.

The Sponge:

A soft, disposable foam rubber
spongethatisinsertedintothevagina
to cover the cervix. It is saturated
with the spermicide Nonoxynol-9.
Use:The sponge is wetted and
squeezed to activate the s icide.
It is then inserted (dimple side up)

ighin the tocover thecervix.
It can be left in for up to 30 hours. It
should not be removed for at least 6
hours after intercourse. Itshould not
be used during menstruation.
Reliability: 80%
effective.
Advantages: Thespongecanbe
inserted well in advance of
intercourse. Thespermicidereleased
by the sponge acts asa lubricant.
Disadvantages: Somepeoplemay
have an allergic reaction. There is
also a possible link to Toxic Shock
Syndrome. Oralsexwhilethe sponge
isinplacecancauseanumbtonguein

,to 90%

the Other Press

 

feel good?” and
it?”

Perezthinksthatadvertisements
cultivate this “Iam worth it” image.

This rational serves some
companies well. Oneexampleis The
Body Shop. “Our prices are a
reflection of the ingredients,” says
Chella Tingley, ofa Montreal
branch of The Body Shop. “You have
tokeep inmind someingredientscost
more than others.”

Thisisthestore’s justification for
the pricing differences between the
“Mostly Men” line and other Body
Shop products mainly bought by
women. Although The Body Shop
cultivates an image of the caring
corporation concerned with today’s
issues, itis still in business to make a
profit.

According to Kim Sawchuk, a
communicationsstudies professorat
Concordia University, stores like The
Body Shop use an advertising

“Will my friends like

technique known as “social
marketing.”
Social marketing uses positive

images of men and women and the
environment, for example, to sell

S or services.

“The consumer is highly
suspicious of advertising,” says
Sawchuk. “Hencesocial marketing.”

In reality, Sawchuk say’s, it is
just “a more refined marketing
technique, feeding off the feminist

mnavement “”

your

Cost: About $8 fora box of 3a
any drug store or supermarket
Sterilization:

In males the vas deferens ( the
tubethatcarriessperm from the testes)
is tied or cut. In females the fallopian
tubes are severed, preventing eggs
from traveling between the ovary and
the uterus..

Use:Requires a doctor to do the
. “Males are given a local
anesthetic. Female sterilization is
usually done under general
anesthetic. For 6 weeks after the
surgery a back up method of
contraception will be necessary.
Reliability: Almostnochance
of pregnancy. About 1 in 500 will
become pregnant.
Advantages: No need of other
forms of birth control. No loss of
spontaneity.
Disadvantages: It is very rarely
reversible. If you are thinking of
having children this is notan option.
Young childless women havea lot of
difficulty convincing doctors this is
what they want. Most doctors will
not sterilize women under 30 who
have2 or fewerchildren. Thereisno
protection from STD’s, including
AIDS.
Cost: Cost is covered under the
provincial health plan.

Natural Family Planning
(Rhythm):

Also known as Popes Pinball.
Thisistheonly method ofbirthcontrol
allowed bysomereligions. Itinvolves
abstinence during the fertile time
during a women’s cycle.

Use:Very careful onicatiie of the
menstrual cycle is necessary. You
should keep a calendar of your
menstrual cycle. Ovulation may be
predicted by date, basal temperature,
or vaginal mucus viscosity. You
should visit your doctor or
naturopath for more information
before using this method.
Reliability: Depends on how
reliably you keep track of your cycle.
Itis 70 to 90% effective.
Advantages: Other thanduring
fertile periods you have total freedom.
Disadvantages: This method
requires a fair amount of time and
dedication. An error in timing can

tection at all.
lesno protection

leave you with no
Thiis method provi
from STD’s or AIDS.

Myths About Birth Control:

If you are using, or are thinking of
using any of the following methods,
goback tothebegi of thisarticle
and read about real birth control
methods. The following methods are
not to be trusted:

Withdrawal: Pulling out the
penis before or at the moment of
ejaculation is not effective. Some
sperm may be present before
ejaculation, and sperm are likely to
comeincontact with the vagina when
intercourse is interrupted. This
method isalso very frustrating forthe
male. Thisisalsoa line used by some
i msiblemen whodonotintend
to follow through.
Douching: This is nota good
way to eradicate sperm. Usually the
sperm are pushed further into the
uterus and thus closer to their goal.
“Morning After Pill”: This is
for emergencies only. Itis very hard
on your bodyand may leave yousick
for a few days after use.

   

    
 
   

March 31, 1993

 

 

   

        
   
 
   
 
  
 

Abortion: No woman whgq
has had anabortion would suggesti
has a suitable replacement fo:
adequate contraception.

Just Plain Safe:

You should always poe i
you ourself from STD‘sand AIDS.
ving intercourse it is always
advisable to use a condom. For oral
sexanon-lubricated condom ordental
dam should be used. (Youcan make
a dental dam by cutting the tip offa
non-lubricated condom andslicing it
wise). Always urinate and
wash immediately after sex (this can
protect women from bladder
infections, too). You should always
know your partner. Gettinganannual
ea is essential. The symptoms|
many STD’sare oftennotnoticed.
If you’reconcerned, getan AIDS test.
If You’re Worried...
Ifyouthinkyoumaybepregnant,
go see your doctor, Planned
Parenthood, or go to the
Everywoman’s Health Centre
immediately. The tests are free and
are usually reliable 3 or more days
after a missed period.