Period shaming is an issue that still goes on in society. The stigma around periods has led to the creation of products like the “pink tax.”
The pink tax is a tax placed on feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads. This tax is due to the idea that these types of products are not necessities, but luxuries. The pink tax has been around for decades and it’s time we stop it. Of course, there are a lot of other harmful consequences of period shaming and it’s worrisome that it still goes on in this day and age.
“ON THE BLOB”, “HAVING THE PAINTERS IN” AND “LIVERPOOL PLAYING AT HOME” – JUST SOME OF THE SEXIST AND OUTDATED TERMS STILL USED TO PERIOD SHAME YOUNG GIRLS, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT
A nationwide study reveals as many as 39 percent of young girls between the ages of 11 and 16 have been ‘period shamed’, by being laughed at, or have had derogatory comments made about their menstruation. Overall, more than a QUARTER (26 percent) have been subjected to sexist terms, with 19 percent saying male family members still use insulting old phrases to describe when they are on their period. “Being on the blob” was the most insulting term, according to 38 percent of those surveyed, with other old-fashioned comments such as “having the curse” (22 percent), “having the painters in” (21 percent), “surfing the crimson tide” (16 percent) and “Liverpool playing at home” (12 percent) still used widely.
Almost half of the 1,000 school aged girls surveyed said they put up with period shaming from boys at school (49 percent), while 32 percent have been made to feel ashamed by other girls as well. One third (32 percent) have even been asked by a male family member if it is “their time of the month”, simply because they were not in a good mood, while 24 percent said they have been asked if they are on their period, if they stand up for themselves or disagree with someone.
And the study, by Cheeky Pants, found that a fifth (20 percent) of girls said period shaming was rife on social media. So, it is no surprise that 24 percent do not tell anyone when they are on their period. A further 39 percent have found themselves without sanitary items at school while almost one in TEN (eight percent) struggle to afford products. Overall, eight percent of school aged girls have to pay for their own sanitary products, while almost one in twenty get them free from school or their GP (four percent) because they can’t afford them and can’t ask their parents.
Says Helen Rankin, Founder of Cheeky Pants, which conducted the research: “Our research shows that unfortunately plenty of young girls in the UK have been period shamed, so it’s crucial that there are places they can turn to for information that makes them feel prepared and positive.
Shockingly, almost a quarter (24 percent) have been refused access to a toilet during class when bleeding, while one in 10 (9 percent) have ended up bleeding through at school and then being bullied. And 11 percent got teased at school for starting their cycle early.
According to the research, 30 percent started their periods at age 11, 28 percent were 12 and 20 percent were fifteen. However, respondents reported a wide range of ages when it came to starting their period, from as early as age eight to ten (14 percent) or as late as age fifteen or sixteen (two percent).
Six in ten (59 percent) admitted that they were scared when they got their first period, although they knew enough about what to expect so it was OK, while 13 percent had no idea what was happening or why they were bleeding, so found the experience terrifying. While 68 percent were lucky enough to have their first period start at home, 33 percent started for the first time in a public place – with 13 percent confessing it to having felt completely embarrassed.
However, 86 percent of those polled said they can always turn to their mum for advice about their period.
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