Boys and periods? Sounds weird? But should it sound weird? Absolutely not!
Especially in a world that is constantly evolving, it’s important to change our perspectives regarding certain norms and beliefs that might affect our progress. This is why we need to educate boys about periods.
I believe it’s crucial for everyone, regardless of gender, to learn about periods. It’s not just a girl thing, it’s a human thing. Particularly in India, periods are still considered a taboo topic. Many people, especially men, are uncomfortable talking about it. This is unfortunate because periods are a normal and natural part of life for women and girls.
This basically happens due to a lack of knowledge about the menstruation cycle of the female body. By generalizing this life phase of the female body for both males and females, we can build a deeper empathy and connection with our female peers, friends, and family.
These are a few tips on how and why one can normalize the menstruation cycle to boys.
- Start early: Initiating conversations related to periods with boys at a young age makes it easier for them to feel at ease with the subject. Opening up with boys about the women’s menstrual cycle can help to develop a deeper felling of empathy and compassion in them. By learning about the physical and emotional challenges faced by women in their menstruation, boys can develop a deeper empathy and appreciation for them. This can help to break down the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation and help in making a better society.
- Maintain a positive outlook: When discussing periods with boys, use positive language and try to avoid hesitancy in your voice. It’s difficult to make someone comfortable when you aren’t comfortable yourself. The boys might have various questions, and that’s entirely valid. This approach can significantly enhance awareness of period education and contribute to the development of their understanding of the menstrual cycle.
- Prevents bullying and harassment: Children at a young age don’t always make the right decisions or have the right attitude towards others. Educating boys about the menstrual cycle, ensuring they are comfortable with the discussion, and fostering empathy about the challenges individuals face during their menstrual cycle will help reduce the risk of bullying and harassment.
- Helps in promoting sexual and reproductive health: Sexual and reproductive health are a major part of one’s life and are also the least touched topic in any conversation. People face issues due to a lack of knowledge about female menstruation. Spreading awareness about menstrual cycle and normalizing periods are the only ways to overcome these obstacles.
We can’t close our eyes and deny the fact that menstruation is a natural process; this is how a female body functions. We need to accept this as individuals and as a society. Only then can we work towards a better future where girls and women are not stigmatized or marginalized and can feel better with their bodies.
