Period Shaming

In the intricate tapestry of societal norms, one thread that has woven itself into the fabric of women's experiences is period shaming. This pervasive issue has compelled women throughout history to conceal their menstruation, fostering a culture of silence and secrecy. Despite progress in challenging traditional gender norms, the echoes of period shaming persist, affecting women in various ways.

In the intricate landscape of high school, teenagers grapple with the silent struggle of period stigma, an unspoken burden that often forces them to conceal the natural occurrence of menstruation. The pervasive notion that discussing periods is taboo can leave young individuals feeling isolated and compelled to navigate the challenges of managing their periods discreetly. In the confined space of a classroom, where bathroom breaks may be restricted and privacy limited, adolescents face the added pressure of concealing their discomfort while grappling with the physical and emotional demands of menstruation. The fear of judgment and the stigma surrounding periods create an environment where teenagers, already dealing with the complexities of adolescence, must confront the additional challenge of managing a natural bodily process in secrecy, amplifying the sense of isolation and contributing to a broader conversation about the need for destigmatization and open dialogue in educational settings.

This is a topic that resonates with me as I remember being a teenage girl in highschool and feeling like I had to hide my period. One time, I was in science class, and I asked the teacher if I could go use the bathroom because I had my period and I was dealing with a lot of physical and emotional pain. I was exhausted and I just really needed a break and I needed to change my pad. I raised my hand and asked to go to the bathroom and signed out as I was supposed to. However, I did not tell the teacher about what I was experiencing. Of course I didn't think anything of it and it's not like I would've felt it was necessary. I wouldn't have known how long I was going to be gone for, but I thought it would be okay to take my time as I was dealing with something. However, when I got back to class 10 minutes later, the teacher was very mad at me that I had been gone for nearly a whole 10 minutes and she gave me a detention. I tried to explain to her that I was going through my time of month and I was having a difficult time. (I think there also may have been other people in the bathroom and I had to wait for a stall. It was a long time ago. I don't remember.) However, she refused to hear me out and gave me a detention anyhow.

I was hurt and confused by this strict decision because I had followed the rules. I'd done nothing wrong. I had always been a diligent student, always eager to learn, and respected the rules that governed my academic environment. However, I was still punished for merely trying to give myself a break while simply taking care of a delicate situation and doing it all in secrecy.

I think that the stigma's that govern our culture has made it so that no one wants to talk about it. But even those brave enough to say something may find themselves unjustly prosecuted for having a natural, bodily occurrence. Moreover, older women may have an even greater discomfort when it comes to talking about their menstrual cycles and menstrual cycles in general and foster a lack of understanding and empathy when it comes to period stigma and the fact that girl's feel the need to hide their periods.

I believe there needs to be more education in schools around the phenomenon of period shaming. Period stigma is real. Throughout history, menstrual taboos have been influenced by cultural, religious, and social factors. The reasons behind period shaming are complex and often tied to societal beliefs about purity, cleanliness, and gender roles.

It's essential to recognize that period shaming is a real and complex phenomenon rooted in historical, cultural, religious, and social factors. The incident recounted serves as a stark reminder that even within the structured environment of a classroom, young individuals face unwarranted judgment and punishment for simply managing a natural bodily process.

We need to educate women, and teachers, and headmasters alike about period shaming and it's deep cultural roots so we can grow as a society. Make schools a safe space for girls where they won't be shamed or punished for something that is perfectly natural. We need to break the silence and educate our school systems about the sensitivity of this issue, so that girls can feel safe, and respected, and supported rather than shamed for their body functions.