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AIBU?

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Original poster

Schools Providing Sanitary Products

298 replies

Sansastark45 · 20/01/2020 13:53

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!

OP posts:
Berrymuch · 20/01/2020 16:07

I think it's great, I'm sure many who can afford to will still buy their own, and I can't imagine it's a hefty amount of extra work for schools.

squeekums · 20/01/2020 16:11

I was the kind of kid this aimed at. Father who didnt care, i couldnt ask him, cant take his pokies or booze money. My mother was dead, all aunts cut off from us
This would have been a life saver for me, instead i was reduced to using leaking toilet paper and tissues or theft

They should be providing reuseable sanitary products. Not disposable.

Eww, no
No way would i have been able to wash them properly at home, need electricity, washing powder, a working machine and a father who wouldnt shame me for it.
Even now i wouldnt use them. Just No

TheDailyCarbuncle · 20/01/2020 16:12

The question is why would anyone ever object to this?? How could it ever be a bad thing to help young girls who may be struggling?? It's not as if pads are a luxury item FFS!

bellinisurge · 20/01/2020 16:18

My dd uses reusables. It takes time and attention and support from me to make it work. And they work wonderfully. With a bit of time, attention and support. If a girl or woman doesn't have time, attention and support, they should NOT be expected to manage them or be shamed into using them. Disposables do a grand job and should be readily available.
And I am a maker and designer of reusables.

walker1891 · 20/01/2020 16:21

We already provide them. I buy them for the girls in our school. Apparently we are going to get funding but similarly like the free school meals this will likely prove to be bullshit and teachers will then be required to provide them not just out of kindness. Something else we have to fund ourselves.

Aworldofmyown · 20/01/2020 16:25

Periods should be treated the same as any bodily function, urinating/defecating, we wouldn't question the supply of toilet roll in public toilets.

abstractprojection · 20/01/2020 16:30

Considering how difficult adolescence can be inc. dealing with periods, limited access to money and a variety of issues at home from poverty to disorganisation (of which they have no control) I think this is great policy.

Not everyone has a Mum who ensures that their daughter has everything they need when they need it, and enough of it.

MopsRUs · 20/01/2020 16:35

Most parents will of course provide these items, but I think it's a good idea for them to be available at school for those who need them.

abstractprojection · 20/01/2020 16:36

'My workplace also provides free products - it's great not having to walk into toilets with your handbag and you also never get caught with an early period and no products.'

Yes mine does too and it's very appreciated! It's let you just get on with work, one less thing to worry about.

EasyLifer · 20/01/2020 16:36

I've worked in a school office for nearly 20 years. We've always given towels to any girl who comes to the office and asks. The school orders them in bulk at the same time as ordering plasters, anti septic wipes etc for first aid.

Obviously parents should be buying these items using their child benefit, but if they can't or won't somebody has to!

thebluearsefly · 20/01/2020 16:38

My school gave them to me back in the 90s. I lived with my dad and was too embarrassed to ask for money for them. YABU

dementedpixie · 20/01/2020 16:44

They have started supplying them free in the local sports centre toilets where I am now. Think Scotland was the first in the UK to bring it into schools/other public venues

OlaEliza · 20/01/2020 16:47

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 agree. And it's not just schools, it's the taxpayer picking up the tab.

So along with feeding people's kids (breakfasts and school lunches) we are now providing hygiene products.

Don't have kids you can't afford.

OlaEliza · 20/01/2020 16:49

And I also don't understand why reusables and given out instead of disposables. if it's our responsibility to provide for everyone, then the most cost effective method should be used.

Whatsername177 · 20/01/2020 16:50

The Red Box is a charity. We are supplied with sanitary protection and spare underwear for the pupils. It is brilliant. Girls who have nothing being able to take what they need without any worries. It helps a lot.

Whatsername177 · 20/01/2020 16:53

Just to add - yes it is government funded and it is brilliant.

Skinnychip · 20/01/2020 16:53

*So along with feeding people's kids (breakfasts and school lunches) we are now providing hygiene products.

Don't have kids you can't afford.*

So children should go without breakfast or lunch , or have adequate sanitary protection in order to punish their parents who shouldn't have had them ....???

Aworldofmyown · 20/01/2020 16:54

squeekums I don't agree with reusable in this instance as it does require help and a bit more nurture that may not be available.

However, I think all adults should give them a go. Honest to god game changer!! I've converted half my friends.

SoupDragon · 20/01/2020 16:56

Don't have kids you can't afford.

Are you really so far removed from reality that you don't realise this isn't always the problem? There have been lots of job losses, no pay rises, huge hikes in the cost of living...

And I also don't understand why reusables and given out instead of disposables. if it's our responsibility to provide for everyone, then the most cost effective method should be used.

Maybe try reading the posts where this is addressed then.

MopsRUs · 20/01/2020 16:58

Don't have kids you can't afford

By the time a girl might need the "Red Box" it's a bit late to give her parents that advice.

iklboo · 20/01/2020 16:59

@OlaEliza - what colour is the sky on your planet? Do you get a nice view from your ivory tower? You DO realise that people's circumstances can change don't you? People don't plan to be poor.

PristineCondition · 20/01/2020 16:59

Don't have kids you can't afford.

have we not moved on from this sling them in the workhouse attitude yet

Welltroddenpath · 20/01/2020 17:00

It’s not out of taxpayers money - it’s a charity. Like donating to the food bank, that’s my cash, my choice. It’s not public funds. If you don’t like the idea don’t donate.

I don’t like seeing the adverts on public toilet doors asking for donations for women in war torn countries to have san pro. The root issue there is violent men mostly. So I wouldn’t support that as it’s glossing over the root issue.

I pay lots of tax to fund cancer treatment in the nhs. I haven’t had my monies worth out of that. But rather than be bitter I am extremely thankful I don’t need the service, same as I can’t begrude a girl not having to shave toilet paper in her knickers because of any possible reason including parents who are too broke, too incapable or too selfish to provide

TheDailyCarbuncle · 20/01/2020 17:01

So what do you propose happens to the kids the parents can't afford @OlaEliza? Should they just be left to struggle?

I hope whatever treatment you think is good for them would be good enough for you if you ever ran out of money and found yourself in poverty. Strangely I think if you ended up poor you'd think it wasn't your fault and you deserved help. That's how people like you usually think IME.

PuppyClub · 20/01/2020 17:02

I'm probably going to go against the grain here, and say although it doesn't bother me that schools are going to do this I don't see why they should.

I have 4 daughters and I'm far from rich but sanitary protection is cheap, and they've never gone without.

Personally, I use reusable rags that get washed as it's much better for the environment.