Schools providing Sanitary protection

marliepanda

Comms69 wrote: »

I was largely avoiding this topic, because I don't understand the stigma and embarrassment involved.


But this comment is just so frustrating.


There are literally dozens of legitimate reasons to be against this, and none of them are 'monstrous'. But lets just cut the debate because Matt's spoken...

Genuine question, what genuine reasons are there for a school not to have optional sanitary protection available?

Comms69

marliepanda wrote: »

Genuine question, what genuine reasons are there for a school not to have optional sanitary protection available?

Well it depends on how the scheme is implemented, but a few were mentioned towards the start.


My primary concern would be the cost and how that cost affects education and the parental attitude to "oh good someone else is going to sort out my child, tick that off the list..."


Ofcourse sanitary products are essential, but then so are uniforms, dental hygiene, food - at what stage do you draw the line?


At what stage does the argument the child has done nothing wrong, why should they be punished, not become the adult has failed in their very basic duty of care, why aren't they being punished?


Just quickly on the costs side of things, you can argue it's really cheap, and it is, but all the cheap items eventually add up. Why aren't we charging parents for this?


I will add, but purely a subjective POV - parents who have said they will supply products without even speaking to their child so they avoid embarrassment. Is that really doing them any favours.


Children should be learning how to deal with negative emotions, surely doing so in the safety of the family home is better than being in a protective bubble that will one day burst? As people we embarrass ourselves all the time, being able to laugh it off, or deal with subjects which we may consider sensitive is a vital part of being a fully functional adult.

marliepanda

Comms69 wrote: »

Well it depends on how the scheme is implemented, but a few were mentioned towards the start.


My primary concern would be the cost and how that cost affects education and the parental attitude to "oh good someone else is going to sort out my child, tick that off the list..." There is sadly that aspect... but its a very specific type of parent who would think that who probably wouldnt bother either way


Ofcourse sanitary products are essential, but then so are uniforms, dental hygiene, food - at what stage do you draw the line? At my last school we did do teeth brushing morning and afternoon, and food was often provided. Uniform there was always spares too...


At what stage does the argument the child has done nothing wrong, why should they be punished, not become the adult has failed in their very basic duty of care, why aren't they being punished? I agree that these issues should be reported and escalated up if repeated


Just quickly on the costs side of things, you can argue it's really cheap, and it is, but all the cheap items eventually add up. Why aren't we charging parents for this? Agreed.


I will add, but purely a subjective POV - parents who have said they will supply products without even speaking to their child so they avoid embarrassment. Is that really doing them any favours. 100% agree,l it should not be 'embarassing' or 'hush hush' I find nothing more heartwarming than seeing a man, either father or partner, buying sanitary items. maybe I am a total idiot but it should not be embarassing to buy these things!


Children should be learning how to deal with negative emotions, surely doing so in the safety of the family home is better than being in a protective bubble that will one day burst? As people we embarrass ourselves all the time, being able to laugh it off, or deal with subjects which we may consider sensitive is a vital part of being a fully functional adult.

Mine in red.

Comms69

marliepanda wrote: »

Mine in red.

Glad we generally agree.


Just for the record, my ex partner had really bad periods, I didn't think anything of getting her products, nor did I think anything of letting her rest up with a hot water bottle whilst I took care (as best as I could anyway) of the house.


I will just add, it's a very specific type of parent, but sadly that type of parent is becoming more common.


I think that schools which ask for old uniforms to be donated are providing a vital service, but I meant more along the lines of what I believe Scotland recently announced - £100 vouchers for all parents? Of course i'm not opposed, I have 3 kids. But it's another cost being put on the taxpayer and taking responsibility away from parents. Uniforms are expensive, but I do without on occasion to make sure it's affordable.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

I would never run my life based on what "some" doctors think - I'd switch to one who treated me like an adult.

Seeing as one I worked for was a specialist in Gynaecological cancers after losing his mother and his sister when he was a young man, I think his motivation was more to get women noticing symptoms earlier, their GPs realising it wasn't 'just one of things women have' and consequently being referred to him for less invasive treatment, rather than any notion that they were little girls.

Fireflyaway

I'm considering having a collection point at work where girls can come and take sanitary protection. I don't think any girl should suffer lack of it because of bad parenting or poverty. However I'm dubious about rolling it out as standard in schools because I believe some parents will think it great that another freebie has come their way. How much would it cost the tax payer? Millions. I'm all for helping people improve their situation but always stepping in with free stuff doesn't promote long term change. It just creates reliance on others.
Also.... How much does it actually cost to manufacture tampons ? I think the mark up is crazy for an essential product. Procter and Gamble don't just own the well known tampon brand, they made sales of 65 billion dollars last year. These items should be sold for a nominal fee.

phryne

Fireflyaway wrote: »

I'm considering having a collection point at work where girls can come and take sanitary protection.

Many ladies toilets have an automatic dispenser where you can get towels or tampons for a small amount of money. Might this be worth trying?

Red-Squirrel_2

Comms69 wrote: »

I was largely avoiding this topic, because I don't understand the stigma and embarrassment involved.


But this comment is just so frustrating.


There are literally dozens of legitimate reasons to be against this, and none of them are 'monstrous'. But lets just cut the debate because Matt's spoken...

When you were a young girl did you ever have to go without adequate sanitary protection while on your period, or were you ever worried that you might have to?

Comms69

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

When you were a young girl did you ever have to go without adequate sanitary protection while on your period, or were you ever worried that you might have to?

Ah my gender prevents me having an opinion, my apologies.

Comms69

Fireflyaway wrote: »

I'm considering having a collection point at work where girls can come and take sanitary protection. I don't think any girl should suffer lack of it because of bad parenting or poverty. However I'm dubious about rolling it out as standard in schools because I believe some parents will think it great that another freebie has come their way. How much would it cost the tax payer? Millions. I'm all for helping people improve their situation but always stepping in with free stuff doesn't promote long term change. It just creates reliance on others.
Also.... How much does it actually cost to manufacture tampons ? I think the mark up is crazy for an essential product. Procter and Gamble don't just own the well known tampon brand, they made sales of 65 billion dollars last year. These items should be sold for a nominal fee.

The issue ofcourse is that when profits drop they’ll simply stop producing the item and move onto something else. Yes the market would be open, but only for cheap, price and quality, alternatives.