Schools Providing Sanitary Products

[Sansastark45]

Don't get me wrong periods aren't nice at the best of time but don't our schools have enough on their plates without now having to take on this??

Am i being unreasonable to think that if you have a daughter you should be having the conversation with her?? Basic own brand sanitary products are cheap enough to buy - our schools shouldn't be left to deal with this too!

I hate the idea that poor kids should put up with the difficult reusable stuff that no other teenager is using, just because they come from a family who can't afford sanitary towels.

Girls shouldn’t miss school because they are on their period. Some girls live in poverty so even £1 for some sanitary towels is more than they have, some are also abused so aren’t provided with them. I seriously don’t see even one issue with schools providing free sanitary towels.

Reusable is not suitable. Do you really expect girls to carry around dirty towels in the bag or locker? Do you really think that households who don't buy sanitary protection have washing machines never mind allow their dd to use the washing machine? Hand washing reusable towels sound miserable for the girl. Do you want schools to hound girls for the return of towels when they graduate? Being a teen is embarrassing enough without hqvjnb to worry about period blood.

It is no different to an ice pack or plaster and I hope that lots of girls are saved embarrassment

@Cryingoverspilttea
They should be providing reuseable sanitary products. Not disposable.

Of course. Because we all live in clean tidy homes with functioning parents with access to washing machines (and the money to by washing products)

Do you know the conditions some children live in?

Even without period poverty in the mix periods at that age tend to be irregular and unpredictable. I wouldn't want any girl who needed sanpro to be stuck because they didn't realise their period was due. It's just common sense to keep a stock for all the girls to use if they have a need.

Most schools already provide them and always have.
We were given then 35 year ago at secondary if required.

People who don't have access to a washing machine and drying facilities can't have reusables.

And how will schoolgirls be able to rinse out their mooncups in front of loads of other girls?

Can you imagine??

Any comments OP or did you just do that dump of a post and leave it ?

It's hardly a massive task for one or two staff members to keep the supplies in a cupboard and hand them out discreetly when asked. As pointed out, most schools are already doing something like this anyway. It will probably involve rather less staff time than dealing with panicked or embarrassed girls with nowhere else to turn to.

Basic own brand sanitary products are cheap enough to buy
Says someone who clearly a) finds this to be so and b) lacks the imagination and the will to consider that this might not be the case for everyone.
Have a word with yourself, OP.

If a school can provide free school meals for underprivileged children they can sure as shit provide sanitary products! I could manage without lunch at school, but I couldn’t manage without a tampon!

how will schoolgirls be able to rinse out their mooncups in front of loads of other girls? don't forget the fashion for mixed-sex loos these days.

When I was at school back in the dark ages of the 90s sanitary towels were provided from the guidance office if needed. This isn't new. And even if it was, I can't see how anyone could be annoyed about it??

Also for a young girl having recently started their period, a mooncup is quite a big step up from pads I think in terms of use.

Actually periods can be unstable especially when you are a teenager, so it can take you by surprise and you know how nasty and cruel teens may be towards each other. So just imagine a 14-year-old having a stain on her skirt or jeans and her classmates seeing this. Ugh. I'm just happy I'm not a teenager anymore.
So yeah, it would be nice if schools had some sanitary products for such occasions that happen quite often. A girl may forget her own stuff or her friends may not have some and then school will help her greatly.

We weren’t poor. My mother just wouldn’t buy me pads that often. She thought I used ‘too many’. I got into a mess at school on several occasions. This is a good thing.

I also wish they would sort out primaries with periods. DD is 10 and there are quite a few of them having periods and there are no bins etc. She has reusable pants but it can catch you unaware especially at that age.

Interesting reading ! I might vote against myself lol!

@Ihatesundays that’s heart breaking

Of course schools need to have sanpro available. Period poverty is a real issue, plus also anyone can make a mistake and need a towel or tampon once in a while for their dignity.

In an ideal world all parents would supply their daughters with everything they need. Most of us do strive to do so. There are those from poverty stricken or chaotic homes though where this does not happen. Should these girls have to go around school leaking blood because no sanpro is available?

Re-usable sanpro and mooncups are totally impractical in this scenario and would be very unhygienic. Who would even wash it? It probably would never even make its way back into school.

Yes @Cryingoverspilttea because children from homes where period poverty is an issue are going to be able to wash them appropriately?! Get a grip and think.

They are suggesting providing reusables but, as a supporter and proponent of reusables, I also think this is not practical for girls with chaotic home lives.
They take a bit (not much but a bit) of laundering and managing and I wouldn't want a girl or young woman to think they had to add this to whatever else they are dealing with.

I agree with schools providing free sanitary products. Even if you discount period poverty it is easy to get caught out when you have just started your periods. I got caught out at school a few times at school before my periods settled down and my mum could afford sanitary products. I was once mortified to discover that my period had started in a swimming lesson. I wasn't expecting my period for another week.

Sansastark45 Many people can't afford any sanitary towels. Or enough sanitary towels. Or to buy new knickers and tights when they get stained with leakage. Or to put knickers / clothes immediately into a hot wash with Vanish etc. if they get stained - they have to wait for the next time they afford to put on a wash, which may be in a communal machine / setting.

This is a positive step for young women, their families, and their schools / education.

Fortunately most parent, mums, explain and prepare their daughters. But.......

Many parents (mums) do not have the conversation, or not enough of it or not early enough.
Some girls do not live with their mums.
Some parents struggle to put food on the table.
Some parents are feckless.

For that reason schools have to, and do, pick up the pieces. Who else will?

Childcare isn’t on the National Curriculum. It should be. But then not all schools have to follow the NC inspite of its title giving a clue. If it were there might be fewer feckless parents in the future.

One of my friends, Paula Sherriff, gets it. Justine Greening didn’t.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/period-poverty-end-schools-sanitary-products-justine-greening-education-secretary-a7996416.html