New Blood

Chris Bobel is an associate professor and chair of women's studies at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and the author of The Paradox of Natural Mothering.

"New Blood is at heart an exploration of third-wave feminism and its deeply complex relationship to its predecessors. Framed by an astute analysis of the tensions between the 'waves'-and a generous commitment to pointing out the overlooked commonalities among them-New Blood delves into the history of menstrual activism, defines and describes its two contemporary wings, and concludes with an assessment of what these divergent approaches say about the contemporary women‘s movement and where it‘s headed."(Women's Review of Books) "Chris Bobel is a careful ethnographer, respectful of research participants, and while she clearly takes a stand on menstrual activism, she handily defends her proposition that feminism is 'finding its balance between reliving its past and creating its future.' Bobel's work, which includes incisive analysis of how third-wave activists incorporate and update tactics and strategies of the second wave, will be a welcome addition to the scholarship of feminism." - Elizabeth Kissling (author of Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of Menstruation) "This is a well-written, thoroughly researched book. To those interested in the politics of social activism, the menstrual movement and in unpacking the similarities and differences between second- and third-wave feminism, and a reconsideration of gender binary and questions about who menstruates, this book is a must-read."(Contemporary Sociology) "Chris Bobel's New Blood confirms that menstruation activism is alive, well, and relevant. The book also demonstrates that this activism is now happening in ways that have not been previously studied and its political importance is broader and deeper than generally recognized. New Blood is not only about activism, it is also both a gift to and from feminist movements."- Nancy A. Worcester (Sex Roles) "Fascinating and richly evocative."(Gender and Society) "New Blood is at heart an exploration of third-wave feminism and its deeply complex relationship to its predecessors. Framed by an astute analysis of the tensions between the 'waves'-and a generous commitment to pointing out the overlooked commonalities among them-New Blood delves into the history of menstrual activism, defines and describes its two contemporary wings, and concludes with an assessment of what these divergent approaches say about the contemporary women‘s movement and where it‘s headed."(Women's Review of Books) "Chris Bobel is a careful ethnographer, respectful of research participants, and while she clearly takes a stand on menstrual activism, she handily defends her proposition that feminism is 'finding its balance between reliving its past and creating its future.' Bobel's work, which includes incisive analysis of how third-wave activists incorporate and update tactics and strategies of the second wave, will be a welcome addition to the scholarship of feminism." - Elizabeth Kissling (author of Capitalizing on the Curse: The Business of Menstruation) "This is a well-written, thoroughly researched book. To those interested in the politics of social activism, the menstrual movement and in unpacking the similarities and differences between second- and third-wave feminism, and a reconsideration of gender binary and questions about who menstruates, this book is a must-read."(Contemporary Sociology) "Chris Bobel's New Blood confirms that menstruation activism is alive, well, and relevant. The book also demonstrates that this activism is now happening in ways that have not been previously studied and its political importance is broader and deeper than generally recognized. New Blood is not only about activism, it is also both a gift to and from feminist movements."- Nancy A. Worcester (Sex Roles) "Fascinating and richly evocative."(Gender and Society)

• Encountering third-wave feminismFeminist engagements with menstruationThe emergence of menstrual activismFeminist-spiritualist menstrual activismRadical menstruationMaking sense of movement participationWhen "women" becomes "menstruators."