Caught Red Handed

Why are periods so offensive?

Throughout history, periods have been seen as a taboo and inappropriate topic in the eyes of society—no doubt sculpted by the ideas of men. These ideas have only grown and morphed throughout the years—while nowadays it’s slightly less of a sensitive topic, it’s still poorly handled, especially in school environments. Some schools in the U.S. have managed to adapt in creating a healthier environment for girls to talk about periods openly in their health classes. So why hasn’t CAPA adapted as well? While it’s true that the school provides an open and accepting environment for everyone, the lack of period products in our bathrooms proves to

The open-mindedness of providing free period products in female restrooms in schools (especially high schools), is not something that should be considered a foreign concept. Maybe the lack of period products provided in CAPA’s bathrooms is due to the fact that the girls' bathrooms lack certain pleasantries.

The broken stall locks, the constant stream of mysterious liquid emitting from the drains and toilets, the rusted foggy mirrors, and the faint smell of a strange combination of Bath & Body Works Strawberry Pound Cake fragrance mixed with the subtle aroma of farts, body odor, and a third unplaceable funk. These factors create an unpleasant, unwelcoming environment for gals just trying to go to the can and relieve themselves. One might argue that the spray of the toilet water spewing from the bowls when flushed is too threatening and overpowering to create any sense of comfort—and they would be correct. 

Another symptom of the lack of care put into these bathrooms is the absence of period products. Not only that, but you might be wondering… where would these period products go? How about a dispensary mounted on the wall? Or say, a cart full of pads and tampons placed strategically between the two mirrors? While yes, it is true that free period products can be found available in teachers' classrooms, why should a hard working teacher have to pay out of pocket for necessary  items that the school should be providing in bathrooms for free? Now that question proves to be more difficult to answer.

In a study done by The Alliance for Period Supplies in 2022, statistics show that only ten states fund and require period products in middle and high schools. Pennsylvania isn’t on that list. While it is true that funding in Pennsylvania for period products in schools is available, it isn’t a requirement, which is insane given the $3 million donated to the Department of Health and the Department of Education for, […the 2024-2025 state budget to award grants to school entities to provide period products at no cost to students], (Quoted from the same source). While this may seem bad, it’s little compared to the twenty-two states that provide no funding for period products in schools, and no requirement for their availability in an educational setting. This statistic doesn’t even begin to include the period poverty high school students experience daily. 

Teenage girls deserve a calm, clean, safe environment that provides them with the hygiene care that they need, when they need it. Why is that so hard to ask for?

Source:

https://allianceforperiodsupplies.org/period-products-in-schools/#:~:text=More%20than%2075%25%20of%20people,free%20period%20products%20in%20bathrooms.