Paying for swimming lessons in a block/ periods

[Aquifolium]

Hi,

My daughter’s have attended swimming lessons at the local pool for many years. Their attendance has always been spot on. Now they have started their periods they are missing one or 2 sessions a month.
I have contacted the manager to ask if there has been any thought out into this phenomenon, and the reply is of course, they can use tampons, which are perfectly safe.

I wasn’t addressing this issue in a ‘what are you going to do about it’ kind of way, but the dismissive response I have had from the manager has pissed me off.
I feel that my daughters are at a disadvantage now, and that I am paying out for lessons (block booking only)they can’t take up.
Has anyone else done anything about this issue before? Got anywhere?
TIA

Question is, if all kids had to miss one week in 4, then would the pricing and attendance and training all change to take this into consideration?

for many women periods can be debilitating, but as work is set up for men, it wouldn't be an acceptable reason to take time of sick, even if were you in such pain for any other reason there's no way you;d be expected to be at work.

And swimming is a life skill.

If boys had periods and could miss lessons and not pay, but girls didn't have periods so could never miss a lesson without paying I think we'd be arguing the other way round .

I'm surprised the OP is getting such a hard time. I think there should be some reasonable accommodation for this, or a different payment option set up.

"I'm surprised they are still having lessons" is not the point. The principle will affect girls in general--a few girls start periods as young as 8, and there are some girls who really need lessons at 12 or 14, esp if they are late/slow at learning to swim.

They said the biggest damage being caused to the encouragement of women's rights is the feminist who won't have a discussion but just shout everyone down.

We are having a discussion, and certain things are being challenged. Nobody is shouting.

So you had this discussion at pride? Well now...

Question is, if all kids had to miss one week in 4, then would the pricing and attendance and training all change to take this into consideration

I’d say yes, right?

Contraceptionismyfriend

Yup.

"They can take the pill when older"

"Omg! The pill destroys endocrine systems! Are you mad? Cant believe you've suggested that!"

Fazackerley

Because taking the pill so you can swim is a poor option when it can and does affect the natural functions of the body. Stopping periods as a solution is a crap solution IMO.

think some people think they're on AIBU, this is the FWR board so I'd expect a rather more intelligent take with a good look at how women's biology is so often not taken into account.

True, Willow, it does feel a bit like AIBU-style dominates at the moment.

I see quite a lot of insistence that commercial interest should rule the day.

I think commercial interest is part of the patriarchy, and the world where the reason for doing things is only to make a profit.

We are talkin about a council run service, which runs across several pools with several teachers, so the idea of building in some flexibility so that you could give 24h notice in the case of ill heath/ holiday/ period, and see if another session is available at a different time to make up for it.

This is a service the council provides, for all young people to improve their fitness. I’m sure they are providing it as part of a strategy to reduce child obesity, as well as other health factors which are improved by doing regular physical activity.

I really don’t see why they can’t offer this service in a more flexible way which would enable people to attend more frequently.

I wasn't at Pride. I helped organise part of one of the events. I was speaking to someone who also organised an aspect of it.

Some posters have been told they shouldn't be posting here because they aren't conforming.

I identify as a feminist. I do not believe this is a feminist issue in the slightest.

I find the response to my concern about the health implications of the pill, on the feminism board, to be really surprising given the conversation around it has changed in recent years:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/oct/03/pill-linked-depression-doctors-hormonal-contraceptives

Some posters have been told they shouldn't be posting here because they aren't conforming.

Nobody has been told not to post.

We are talkin about a council run service, which runs across several pools with several teachers, so the idea of building in some flexibility so that you could give 24h notice in the case of ill heath/ holiday/ period, and see if another session is available at a different time to make up for it.

^^ I don’t think some posters properly understand who is providing the service or what you’re asking for.

So don't take the pill, don't use tampons. Just lose the money.
Nobody is forcing these girls to do anything. But they are not entitled to the swimming lessons without paying.

Just like everybody else.

Just like everybody else.. No, boys aren’t affected.

Because of biology.
Sucks but deal with it.
It's not the business issue.

Seems a fairly civilised debate despite people's strong views. Disagreement isn't a fight to the death! I'll admit my first thought was that OP was in the wrong but it's really challenged my thinking.

The conversation is about, what are the possible solutions. We’re robustly challenging the solutions some have presented, because they aren’t good options for children necessarily- certainly not the pill. Nothing wrong with challenging systems in place that aren’t forcible around female biology.

flexible around female biology

There is no solution that isn't fantasy.

A good business would not allow any of the suggestions here. Especially if it's a council run operation.

If the suggestions are liked. They don't go and OP still pays. Or she looks for somewhere else.

the default position is Male and the system works for them with no issues like this to sort out.

The default position here is not Male. It's business.

Connieston,

Yes the idea you could just pop into a shop and buy a speedo with added protection for girls would be great!

I am wondering if I do mail order will the swim pants arrive in time for dd2’s next lesson? Probably not.

If the council can provide services for people catered to their religion, I think we can find a solution for women’s biology that works better than this.

Contraception and english it's not a privately-run gym. It's a council service paid for (I assume) by council tax payers. Including women.

This is a service the council provides, for all young people to improve their fitness. I’m sure they are providing it as part of a strategy to reduce child obesity, as well as other health factors which are improved by doing regular physical activity.

Do they charge? If so it isn't for all children is it? It's only for those able to afford it.

And surely if they adjust for one protected characteristic (sex) they need to adjust for all so disabilities too? Can you imagine the chaos? What if you were able to go every week but kept getting bumped from your class for someone who swapped all the time? Or do you want them to run spare capacity in every lesson? I guess they could do that easily - by outting the price up so what would you have gained?