Should Schools Provide Free Pads and Tampons?

 by Lana Cooper

Around half of the world has to deal with periods for a majority of their lives. Despite this, people who menstruate can experience difficulty around getting the proper hygiene products for their periods, and often experience shame because of them. Period hygiene products are expensive and taxed in many states still, which does not help the accessibility of these necessities. Students at middle and high schools can also struggle with obtaining period products, which is why I believe schools should provide free pads and tampons.

Some families struggle to afford period products, which can lead to students missing school. When high school students in St. Louis were surveyed, it was found that “nearly two thirds … reported period product insecurity” and that “one-third of the participants … reported missing school due to a lack of period products” (Serbert Kuhlmann et al.). The lack of access is a problem, since period products are a necessity for those assigned female at birth to stay hygienic. Education is also important, especially since it can help people break out of the cycle of poverty, yet students are missing school because of their lack of access to period products, which is caused by their poverty. All students should have equal access to their education and shouldn’t have to miss school because of a situation out of their control.

Providing free pads and tampons would also help reduce the social stigma around periods. Menstruation is often associated with “uncleanliness and disgust,” rather than people recognizing “it as biologically healthy and normal” (Rapp and Kilpatrick). Around half the population of the earth goes through menstruation, yet it is rarely talked about without shame or being partially concealed. However, placing menstrual products in the bathroom for free use will help normalize periods. Seeing these products in every day life will help remind students that periods are normal and healthy, and they are not alone in going through them.

Menstruation is a healthy and normal process, and period hygiene products are a necessity for people who menstruate, despite the fact they still have sales tax imposed on them in 22 states. A lack of access for students can lead to missing their education, which is fundamental in setting people up for success in the future. Providing free pads and tampons at school will help these students who menstruate, and can open up conversation about periods to help reduce their social stigma.

Works Cited

Rapp, Ashley and Sidonie Kilpatrick. "Changing the Cycle: Period Poverty as a Public Health Crisis." School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 4 Feb. 2020, sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/period-poverty.html.

Serbert Kuhlmann, Anne, et al. "Period Product Insecurity, School Absenteeism, and use of School Resources to Obtain Period Products among High School Students in St. Louis, Missouri." The Journal of School Nursing, 28 Dec. 2021, https://doi.org/10.1177/10598405211069601.