Free period products in Scotland

There were certainly a few comments that implied cos girls got pads boys should get something

Mm, but what, exactly? What male-only effluvia needs managing?

Free wank-socks for boys, perhaps?

@Flatpackback I've never told anyone about my experience either, not even my family. You're right - the memory of humiliation never totally leaves.

To be perfectly honest the 'pocket money' I referred to consisted of any spare coins I managed to glean through the month.

Absolutely Threeoleary I guess some people are incapable of putting themselves in someone else's shoes, if they haven't lived it, they don't see the problem. Being poor is shit and degrading for children and adults. No dinner money because parents wouldn't apply for free meals - they thought that was humiliating for them! So to school to lie all the time, "I've forgotten it" the standard excuse for no dinner money, no ingredients for cookery, no material for crafts, no money for trips, no regular supply of sanitary products. My life is million miles from this now & nobody would know that this is what I grew up with, not even my DC, but it never leaves you. Every step towards eradicating poverty is a step in the right direction.

There have been plenty of free supplies in Scottish toilets for a while now, in libraries, swimming pools etc. Having them in lots of places, takes away some of the stress and need to "stock up," making it more likely people will only take what they need. Almost everyone who can still buys their own in the supermarket etc. rather than clean out the library supplies. It is clear that this is aimed at people who have no access or to help if you are caught short, it isn't like every woman of menstruating age is getting them through the post.

The comparison with toilet roll is a good one, as people still buy their own for home. It would be seen as really cheap to steal it from the pub (although I have known plenty of students do this). Hopefully it will stop san pro being seen as something shameful and secret as well, just having it so present as part of going to the toilet anywhere.

For those whose parents neglect to provide them ( and as a basic need it is neglect) then of course it's a different story

How do you identify these kids. Send them to the office bleeding to fill out a questionnaire?

Over 50 years ago when I plucked up the courage to tell my mother that I'd started my periods she tore up an old pillow case and gave me a few rags. Imagine going to school terrified that this thing was going to fall out of your pants, in the days before tights which would have provided a bit more security.

I was too young for a Saturday job so had to use my pocket money to buy pads and a belt after an excruciating visit to the chemist shop.

I know times have changed but there will still be girls and women suffering agonies of embarrassment through having no sanpro.

I'm delighted to see this, if you don't need to avail yourself of the free products then don't but have a thought for those who do.

For those whose parents neglect to provide them ( and as a basic need it is neglect) then of course it's a different story

Yes, if the refusal to provide it to them is not money-related, it’s a sign of a much more serious problem that handing out free sanpro is really not going to address.

Good but unlikely to make a big difference in the longer term. A bit like a plaster to fix a leaking boat. It does allow the Scottish gvt to pat itself on the back though for addressing one of the easiest things to fix of all the issues affecting women. It will be crappy quality own brand stuff of course and millions of women will continue to have to choose between eating and putting the heating on because of austerity policies. Lots will also be trapped in abusive relationships because government won’t fund proper DV support services. But free tampons!

I don’t want to piss on anyone’s fire and I do think this is good but I worry that it’s now a box ticked for ‘helping women’ when it’s barely going to make a dent in many other issues facing women in Scotland and rest of UK.

Its odd that trans women are celebrating this on twitter-yet they are also actively trying to dismantle safeguarding for women and girls-here's looking at you Christine Burns.

This as a complete red herring.

I don't think our council have the money for it either. They went down to a 4.5 day school week several years ago to cut costs.

For those whose parents neglect to provide them ( and as a basic need it is neglect) then of course it's a different story

Well, quite. I've visited foreign countries where toilet paper and soap certainly weren't standard in public toilets. You had to make sure to carry a pack of tissues and hand sanitiser at all times.

Yep, me too. Or where in the posh places, they had loo roll outside the cubicles, and you had to remember to take some in with you.

Now that I'm thinking about it, the other use for tissues was reserving your table at the food court while you went and bought food.... ugh, that's not something I realised until now.

Isn't part of the issue the fact that it (buying this stuff) is an expense that only women have. It's unfair financially. It's an essential item not some type of luxury that women are now being given for free.

It's predicted to cost about £8.7 million a year. That is nothing. My local council just spent double that on giving every school child an ipad. I think not having to worry about a wadded handful of loo roll coming adrift during PE will have a far greater impact on educational outcomes.

If scotland's so hard up, then they should remove toilet paper too then surely? Not hard to carry some with you, be prepared! It's not like you don't know you'll need to wee at some point etc..

Well, quite. I've visited foreign countries where toilet paper and soap certainly weren't standard in public toilets. You had to make sure to carry a pack of tissues and hand sanitiser at all times.

If free toilet paper and soap come as standard, I fail to understand why sanpro doesn't.

It doesn't need to be fancy - basic, unscented towels should be sufficient for most places.

But this isn't just about free in school
I feel like I'm repeating myself , but
The average 12 year old doesn't have a job to pay for sanpro, and also doesn't only ever visit school when they are needed and there are these things called school holiday hth

If scotland's so hard up, then they should remove toilet paper too then surely? Not hard to carry some with you, be prepared! It's not like you don't know you'll need to wee at some point etc..

I don't see the difference between having toilet paper in toilets, and having san pro in the toilets - they are both disposable items required when people use the toilet.

Oh, wait, yes, there is a difference, the only people who'll need the sanpro are women. So of course it's a waste of money to give them something they need for free in the place they need to use it :S

It's a great step forward to normalising periods. It should be as normal as toilet paper.

I'm a great believer In reusable products and hopefully this will begin to promote reusable pads and pants. As people will feel more confident about discussing there period and options available.

I hope England follows suit. And I bet no one would question if boys were getting free stuff . There were certainly a few comments that implied cos girls got pads boys should get something. Cant eveb have periods these days without having to make it all about men..

Where would you rather invest your money?
If we had a top education system, plenty of spare cash by all means, give out free pads, but we don't. People get benefits it's up to them how they spend their cash

We are talking children though aren't we? They have no influence over where their parents money goes.

I mean there's been plenty of threads on here where lots of women are still seemingly grossed out at the thought of san pro being visible in the bath room , or even being placed in a bin. They would rather their dds walked to the end of the driveway in the rain at 2am and use the wheels bin. How do you expect these kids to ask for something that's so clearly considered dirty in these households.

Besides aren't their organisations that will be helping/donating. Some companies do a buy one give one thing. And parents can also donate of they wish? Sure it might even be appreciated more than the class whip round at Xmas...

"Can't answer" ?

If private dentists are happy with their own risk assessments enough that they are comfortable opening and treating patients, then that's entirely up to them. I don't believe the SG should be forcing NHS dentists to carry out non-emergency work unless they can guarantee that there is absolutely no risk posed to the person by Covid. They can't do that, so the current policy is correct. Emergency treatment only.

Do B&M give away personal hygiene products free of charge to anyone who asks then?

You seem to be oblivious to the fact that there are plenty of people who either claim benefits and either have no access to that payment, still have to resort to foodbanks just to feed themselves, or the benefit simply doesn't extend to buying sanitary products, soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper etc once food and bills has been taken care of. They should all just lump it presumably?

I'd far rather not have to share a public place with people who stink and have rotten teeth, given the minuscule cost. That's even before the relief provided to people who are subject to financial abuse is factored in.

I note you can't answer the dentistry issue. If people can't afford personal hygiene products they can get from B&M.

Where are they finding the cash for dental care?