Period Shaming – Parents Can Help Stop This Kind of Bullying

In their late preteens and early teens, young ladies are likely to start their first period. Even though it’s the 21st century and people have become more open and vocal about many subjects that used to be deemed taboo, menstruation appears to still be somewhat of an uncomfortable topic for many.

This leads to children, and even some adults, having misconceptions and prejudices around a perfectly normal and natural process that everyone should be educated on. Sadly, those preconceived misconceptions lead to many young girls experiencing shame and bullying.

The Concept of Period Shaming

During a menstruation cycle, most women experience a level of concern about potentially bleeding through their clothes in public. This is especially true if the period is early and catches one unprepared. This is most often experienced by young girls experiencing their first menstruation cycle.

This unpreparedness can sometimes lead to feelings of fear, embarrassment, and even shame. An important issue that needs to be addressed is menstruation-related bullying and shaming that often happens in middle school.

The Dangers of Menstrual Shaming

Period shaming and bullying come in many forms. Young girls often get picked on by classmates and peers. In some cases, they’re denied the use of the school bathroom because the adult in charge doesn’t understand why it’s an emergency. It’s possible that menstruation is still thought of as taboo because young girls are taught not to talk about it openly and boys are often not taught about it at all.

The bullying that comes as a result of wrapping this normal biological process in shame and enigma can lead to serious repercussions to a girl’s psychological wellbeing and self-esteem. It leads a young girl to question her self-worth and body image. The key to changing this trend is speaking openly about a normal process that nearly half the population of the planet experiences monthly and ensuring proper education on the topic.

Parents Can Help

Removing the stigma and changing the way periods are perceived is an important step for modern society to take. This process can begin at home with parents and legal guardians opening up the discussion in a safe and shame-free environment. It’s necessary to make girls and boys a part of the conversation to explain that this natural bodily process is simply a fact of life and nothing odd or shameful. Young girls should be taught what a period signifies in their reproductive ability and to feel empowered rather than ashamed.