ABSTRACT
This case study illustrates the humanistic and natural science approach advocated by Leslie in the previous selection. Through comparative analysis, this selection shows that concepts about the body, health, and gender are culturally constructed, even with respect to “natural” bodily functions such as menopause. Lock argues that biology and culture exist in a continuous interactive relationship subject to variation on both sides. Not all women everywhere report the same symptoms associated with menopause, while the rate of heart attacks, strokes, osteoporosis, and other health problems in older women varies considerably
