Mom Encourages Sons To Carry Period Products In Their Backpacks In Case Their Female Friends Ever Need One
When a girl is in middle school or high school, life is already really complicated, and everything seems like it's going to make or break the rest of your life. On top of this, we are all having our hormones raging and puberty finally kicking in, and that means the glorious beginnings of periods.
While most of us have tried to block it out of our memories, I'm sure we can all remember a time when our periods showed up unexpectedly and we weren't quite prepared for that to happen yet.
It Takes About Three Years For A Period To Regulate
From the time a girl has her first period, it will take about three years for her body to regulate to the normal cycle of an adult, which is 21ā34 days, and that's only if you're in the lucky 60% who actually get there.
Until then, cycles can range from anywhere between 20 to 45 days, making it hard to know for certain when it would be coming, especially if you're just figuring out your body. Periods are already awful and unpredictable, but puberty periods are that times 10.
On Top Of That, There Are Issues Like Period Poverty
Period poverty is the lack of access to period products and education because they either can't afford it or because they've never been given the proper "talk" from their parents. For a lot of people, the subject is so taboo that it isn't discussed, or it's thought to be something that men and boys shouldn't have to deal with, which isn't right.
A study conducted in 2019 stated that 92% of high school students reported needing period products at school but only 42% of schools offered them, and at a charge.
Part Of The Problem Is The "Tampon Tax"
The "Tampon Tax" refers to menstrual hygiene products being subject to value-added or sales tax, unlike other necessities.
Tampons and pads should be considered a necessity, and the fact that we pay tax on them, for some people, could make the difference between being able to afford them or not.
There Is One Woman Who Is Trying To Make A Difference
Tara Ahrens wants to do what she can to help address some of these issues, even if it's only in a small way. She's the mother of a 10-year-old daughter and two teenage sons.
She knew that if she talked with her boys about periods and the female body without stigma, she'd be doing something to help.
Here Are Her Sons, Micah, 15, and Elijah, 16
She posted this picture on Facebook with the caption, "My teenage boys helped me shop today, which included buying their little sister's first brasā¦because breasts happen. Both boys carry a tampon and a pad in their backpacks in case one of their friends needs one. Just a mom out here, trying to erase gender taboo!!"
In an article she wrote on the subject, she said: "'Bleed-throughs happen,' I've explained to my boys. 'They are mortifying and can be traumatizing. Kindness and understanding from ANY friend goes a long way. Be that person.'"
Both Boys Were Happy To Start Carrying Period Products
They told their friends that they had pads and tampons if they ever found they needed one, and they even went so far as to keep an extra sweater in their lockers in case a bleed-through happened and she had nothing to change in to.
Their friends were receptive, and even suggested they start keeping some in their car, too!
The Story Was Greeted With A Lot Of Praise
There were many women agreeing with Ahrens that more people needed to adopt this attitude, and normalizing periods will go a long way to addressing the other issues like the tampon tax and period poverty.
Women should not be made to feel weird about something their bodies do that is natural.
Others Weren't So Sure
There were a lot of people, both men and women, who thought that men and boys had no place in the world of periods and went so far as to call it "creepy."
It shouldn't be a weird thing for people to want to help other people, right? What do you think?
It's Probably A Safe Bet That These Boys Will Someday Make Great Boyfriends
If you start teaching your kids when they are younger about how to be respectful of women and destigmatize things like periods, I don't think it's a stretch to think that it will make them better humans and better partners when they're older.
Like These Boyfriends, Who Are Pretty Great
How cute is it that he had a long-term plan like this? He knew every time he took that picture of her what he was going to do with it.
He Thinks She's Gorgeous
Being a supportive partner is something that every person wants, but sometimes boys don't understand how to really be there for a woman or are grossed out by things that they go through, like periods.
It Will Allow Them To Be More Nurturing, Like This Guy
His girlfriend's daughter was really nervous about having an IV put in, and he knelt down with her and explained that everything was going to be alright and he was going to be with her the whole time.
He Should Be Feeling Proud Of Himself
What a cute little plant box that is! Plus, now every time she puts a new plant in there, she's going to know that it was made with love and that's going to make her smile.
Everyone Loves A Good Swing
He just wanted to see her smile and knew that he could do that if he got some wood and a few pieces of rope together to make a swing.
He's A Very Talented Artist
Being an understanding and supportive partner also means that you're hopefully going to attract people who are understanding and supportive of you, your goals, dreams, and the things you feel insecure about.
It's The Stuff That Makes Things Last
Guys in general need to be more open to being emotionally vulnerable, so teaching them to be someone a girl can go to while they are in need might encourage that kind of softness.
They'll Be Stealing Hearts
Imagine loving someone so much that you would go on a run like this just to ask them out to prom? It's a really sweet gesture and I'm here for it.
Being Respectful Is Important
If a guy grows up learning to respect a woman and her bodies, he isn't going to be a creep, and goodness knows we need less of those in the world.
I Hope She Gets To See It
I hope that he gets a chance to show her this adorable little picture he drew of her. It means a lot to know your partner is comfortable enough to fall asleep around you, even if it is on the phone.
She Needed Those Nuggets
There is nothing wrong with being a guy who feeds his girlfriend chicken nuggets, who carries around period products for their female friends, and who wants to help make the divide between girls and guys a little bit smaller.
