6) The text states that in ancient times a menstruating woman was regarded as unclean and dangerous and that, even today, many couples avoid having intercourse while a woman is menstruating. What are the reasons for these negative values?.....

6) The text states that in ancient times a menstruating woman was regarded as unclean and dangerous and that, even today, many couples avoid having intercourse while a woman is menstruating. What are the reasons for these negative values? What are your views about this statement?

According to:
http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topics/sexual_health/sextalk/2007/sextalk.02.12.07.pdf

Menstrual fluid itself is not harmful. Having sex with a healthy, un-infected woman during her “period” is not dangerous. The key word is “healthy” and by that we mean uninfected with HIV or other sexually transmissible infections. We know that blood can carry infections such as hepatitis, HIV and other diseases. If a woman doesn’t have any blood-borne infections, then having sex during menstruation is not dangerous – it’s simply a personal choice.

Menstruation is the natural function of a non-pregnant female when the lining of the uterus is lost or “shed” because it is not needed to support a growing embryo or fetus. It typically occurs 14 days after ovulation and lasts three to five days. In some cultures, menstruation is accepted as a routine bodily function or even a spiritually powerful condition. In others, the predominant view is that menstruation is a negative, embarrassing, or dirty condition to be avoided and hidden from others.

Taboos surrounding menstruation and sex have existed since the times of the Old Testament. In the ancient Hebrew tradition, menstruating women were considered unclean during days of bleeding and for a week afterwards. Sexual intercourse during menstruation was absolutely forbidden. This belief is still customary in many cultures throughout the world.
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Misconception during the ancient time is very rampant because people have little knowledge on the 5 W’s and 1 H of the phenomenon that time. As for today’s situation and acquired knowledge some couple still disregard having an intercourse when their partner is having menstruation because it is not hygienic for the both of them aside from the mess it will cause to the place and the potential to stain the clothes or sheet; but for some they had the increased sex drive during this time as the result of hormonal changes and perhaps because a woman knows she is not pregnant, and is much less likely to become pregnant during her period.
In my opinion, the couple’s preference is still the most significant cause whether they’re going to have an intercourse or not. They should always assess their own outlook in life before doing so because it is their own body that is present in that act.

IMHO, the reason why people in the ancient times think that women who are menstruating are unclean is because they are not yet informed of the reason why women undergo menstruation and today, couples avoid having intercourse while a woman is menstruating is mainly because menstruation is ghastly with its odor and untidiness, imaging having sex with blood splattered everywhere..