Intimacy, Control and Regulation of Bodies: Menopause and Climacteric in Facebook groups
Abstract
Menopause and climacteric are not only physiological processes but also symbolic and social transitions, subject to ageist and sexist biases that hinder substantive equality. At the same time, these experiences are often silenced or stigmatized, making their visibility and critical discussion essential. This article presents a qualitative study based on critical discourse analysis of hashtags identified in Facebook groups of Spanish-speaking women who self-identify as experiencing menopause and/or climacteric, between October and December 2022. The main findings point to: (1) the validation and circulation of regulatory practices around the body, linked to stereotypes that privilege youth and thinness; (2) discourses of discomfort and physical, emotional, and social suffering; and (3) motivational discourses that foster support and complicity during this stage. The historical silence surrounding this period highlights the need for further research focused on the meanings and significance that menopause and climacteric hold for women.
Keywords
Gender stereotypes, Self control, Social networks, Mutual care, Menopause & climactericReferences
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Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo
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Copyright (c) 2025 Cecilia Baeza-Correa
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