Florida bill may ban period talk in elementary schools
Photo by Ella Herzberg
As more and more childeren are getting periods at younger ages, the more support that they are going to need. Without the communication needed in elementary schools, young girls will not be properly educated on their own bodies.
After a bill in progress on March 18th, 2022, Florida may ban period talk in elementary schools. As local bills about gender, sexuality, and diversity are traveling through the Florida’s state legislature, a new bill could be passed that could ban any discussion of menstrual cycles before sixth grade. With this new bill that is looking to be passed, it would go past the health care providers that recommend teaching kids about their developing bodies and menstrual cycles before they occur (menstrual cycles usually occur between the ages of 10 and 15).
Even though this in Florida, the East community, and the whole United States is affected by this. If Florida passes this bill, it could lead and inspire other states to pass the same bill as well, which could turn into a problem with the more and more states that get involved.
“This is devastating to young girls, not just girls in Florida, but young girls all over the world,” said Emily Nieman, a member of the feminist club here at East. “It will cause them shame over something that is completely normal, and turn it into more of a taboo subject than it already is.”
Girls who receive insufficient supplies to take care of their bodies correctly will also be affected. Girls shouldn’t have to have anxiety or worry for this time of their lives. They should openly be able to talk about their body with their teachers and nurses to get the correct support provided for them.
“Statistics show girls are getting their periods earlier and earlier in life,” Nieman said. Girls starting their menstrual cycles at ages 10 or 11 means that they would not be getting the proper education that they need. It is imperative that schools offer these programs to support these individuals at a young elementary school age, because they might not have the support they need at home.”
Judy Blume, a novelist in the 1970s that has helped young readers explore the topic of puberty and religion, shared her opinion on the topic through a tweet on March 18. Blume quoted a tweet from Carl Hissen that stated, “Florida Bill would ban young girls from discussing periods in school. Here’s Ron DeSaints Universe, with GOP lawmakers nosing in your children’s private matters. Welcome to Florida “free”, right? What a farce.”
Her tweet gained over 8,000 retweets and 44,000 likes. On other social media platforms, others are voicing their opinions about the bill.
Ella Herzberg is a senior at East and this is her third year on staff. This year she will be taking on the role of Co-Editor-in-Chief along with Avari...