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Female Colleague Calls Out This Male Teacher For Keeping A Basket Full Of Tampons And Pads For His Students
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Female Colleague Calls Out This Male Teacher For Keeping A Basket Full Of Tampons And Pads For His Students

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You’d think that in 2021 tampons, pads, and periods wouldn’t be seen as taboo topics to discuss and address. Unfortunately, that’s still the case in many places. Even in the oh-so-developed world.

Once in a while when browsing the AITA subreddit, you come across some truly decent human beings who make the world a far better place. Redditor Lowthrowaway22 seems to be one of them. The teacher detailed how he has a basket full of tampons and pads in his classroom for his female students, however, not all of his colleagues were happy with this.

Check out the full story, as well as Reddit’s reactions to it, below, dear Pandas. Be sure to let us know what your personal thoughts on this are as well.

A male high school teacher shared how a colleague of his called him out for providing tampons and pads to his female students

He keeps the female hygiene products in a basket in the classroom

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The 38-year-old explained that he’s a father with two daughters, so he has a lot of empathy for his female high school students. He noted that some of his students were having trouble and didn’t have tampons and pads when they needed them, so he decided to help them out by providing them himself.

He pays for all the expenses out-of-pocket himself. However, some redditors were so moved by his kindness and thoughtfulness that they wanted to send him some money to help fund his little project. The teacher noted they make a good living and said that they don’t have an issue with buying female hygiene products for his students. He thanked the redditors for their gesture and willingness to pitch in, though.

Jane Ussher, a professor of Women’s Health Psychology at Western Sydney University, told ABC News that periods have long been associated with “dirt, and disgust, and shame, and some might say fear.” According to her, viewing periods this way is misogynistic and it’s enrooted in many of the world’s major religions which view menstruating women as ‘unclean.’

“If you talk to young women across a whole range of different cultural groups about their major concern about menstruation, it’s concealment. It’s about not knowing you’re menstruating—the worst idea being blood been seen, which leads to menstrual shame,” Professor Ussher explained about the taboos surrounding periods. This shame, according to her, if left unchecked, can spread to encompass a woman’s view about her entire body which can be very damaging. That’s why it’s so important to fight back against period shaming.

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The vast majority of redditors overwhelmingly supported the teacher. Have a read about what they had to say right here

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zairahriyas avatar
Pearl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's hard to find teachers who care about their students this much. Buzz off Susan!

m2crows avatar
Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When a male does something like this society believes, unfortunately, that it is either weird that a male cares for his female students or that he has ulterior motives.

suuspuusje avatar
Susie Elle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God forbid a man actually tries to be altruistic and tries to help his female students. Susan is the one with the problem here, as she assumes the male motivation can only be sexual in nature, and not just a guy trying to help out.

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bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this US obsession with female hygiene products? They are part of life like toilet paper and handkerchiefs. Seems like there's a hell of a lot of work to do before the US is ready to enter the 21st century.

ivyateve avatar
Ivy at Eve
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking the same thing... but outside the US too. My brother (single dad with daughters) was that weirdo buying sanitary products... why is this still a laughable act?

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truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does she own the quarter slot tampons in the school bathrooms....? Just kidding. The male teacher is thoughtful.

njscrutton avatar
OhForSmegSake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I asked my 60 year old mother what she thought about this and she thinks "Susan" is a moron and more teachers need to be like OP. I agree.

awdudeno avatar
Jane Doe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not the kids who think it's weird, it's some woman, two generations separated who thinks that nice girls don't talk about these things. And well, nobody is. They are grabbing what they need and moving on.

gwenchapman avatar
RandomBeing
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The older generation affects a great deal of the younger sadly.

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liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan is from a time when feminine hygiene products were available only from pharmacies and were kept under the counter prewrapped in plain brown paper.

anvime avatar
Burs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan you are the jerk making girls feel awkward about periods. I bet that she is the kind of teacher to not let her students go to the bathroom (even if they have the period) or go home if they are sick.

cverrilli avatar
Dr. Carlos Dangercat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say put them in a box with a lid on the top and allow the girls to get them discreetly. It might be embarrassing to have to grab something in front of the whole class and teacher. But it seems like he's done that so, so good on him.

pille-parn avatar
Pille P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it really so weird / taboo topic? My mom is a midwife, in my house things like this were always accessible to me. I'm glad my first period happened in the evening at home so mom could explain me everything, but still...

liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are lucky to have a savvy mom. Not that it matters 55 years later, but my mother explained nothing...nada...zilch. And this really is much more typical than you'd believe.

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leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, a male teacher who knows females have menstrual periods. What a.... good thing. I'm happy with this. Why is anyone upset?

seanette avatar
Seanette Blaylock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strikes me as being a good dad to his daughters, too, and that carries over to his students. Seems like a great guy to me.

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liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is right up there with teachers who provide food, school supplies, etc. all the little things that many of us take for granted but which are in fact a big deal.

deborahbrett avatar
Deborah B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I would raise the issue with your school board of directors, and ask for free period supplies to be kept in all the girls loos, so that all the girls have access when needed. It's good to be open about issues, but let girls have options that protect their privacy too. Not everyone is comfortable with sharing that they're on their period. Yes it's a natural bodily function, and no, it's not shameful, but it's still no one else's business if they want it to be private.

elliejc avatar
Ella Carzana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is this even a question in 2021? People with a uterus bleed. I don't care if the pads etc are provided by a blue whale egg dies the gender/ age of the provider even relevant? It's fab that someone has not only recognised the issue but actively solved it.

jessicanametz avatar
Jessica Rabbit
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am glad the general consensus is NTA. I think it is very thoughtful for the teacher to have them available for the females...

assistanttodj avatar
Assistant to DJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

60yr old Susan and her ancient cultural ways of desperately separating males from being able to normalize the biological processes of a woman's body, making the males more ignorant and awkward about it, and making females of any age feel this is something that should be hidden away from males. Does Susan also think when the female students are on their periods, they must be banished to the school shack outside until she stops bleeding? Do the female teachers also get sent to the shack and have to hide sanitary products from males? Culture won't change until old idiots like Susan die off and younger people with better mentalities replace them (like the dad in the story, kudos to him!).

misstea2020 avatar
Moo Moo Futch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not the A hole. But I will tell you who is the A hole. Susan 60F next door. She can shove it. I understand she is still hung up from the torment that she will have gone through being a young girl having a period back in those days, but don't project.

julianareads avatar
Osgood_7
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA! NTA! NTA! You are helping to destigmatize a natural bodily function that is all too often treated as less than that and used to make women, especially young girls, feel bad about aspects of their body over which they have no control. I only wish more teachers, male and female, did the same.

hekko avatar
Helena Houzarová
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear Susan, the basket is for the students who are on their period, not for the male teacher. Stop harping on your colleague for being a better person!

stanflouride avatar
Stannous Flouride
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always had a variety of menstrual products in my bathroom for guests in need. It has never failed to impress. But-full disclosure- the first time was because a girlfriend left some behind and the next woman in need told me, "That's really sweet!" Ever since then I've kept my medicine chest well stocked.

shannonrichards25 avatar
ShareMusic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now if we can only normalize menstrual blood so that when a female has an 'accident,' it's considered a minor inconvenience rather than a huge embarrassment! I still remember when I was in 7th grade and wearing a white skirt and my period came on strong!

watorchid avatar
Erin Levinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a buddy "Bob" a known local bar fly and all around decent dude. He would go buy the bar tenders coffee, and pads or tampons based on their preference. No one felt weird about it, and so it wasn't. At his personal home, he kept a small stash of both. Because he was never thought of as a creeper, just a considerate dude, it was never more than that. Hats off to ALL the fellas for normalizing a totally normal thing. Amy well meaning individual who is treating a normal thing as just that, yo buddy!! Susan must have grown up in a house that was the opposite? Maybe need can all show her compassion. That must have been really hard on her.

emmatherevelator avatar
Emma B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Urgh. I worked with a teacher like Susan. She's 'old school' so she expects everything to remain the same as when she started out. They are a huge problem in the American school system. This teacher is showing he gives a damn. A lot of them, sadly, don't. He should be commended for that, not ridiculed by a damn boomer. I run a daycare with an after school program. We keep sanitary products for our girls who mother nature visited early because a lot start at around ten these days it seems like. They shouldn't be embarrassed about nature. Promise you Susan is that teacher who tells bullied students to suck it up and work it out amongst themselves. Mark my words. I hate Susan and teachers like her.

willowsweet_1 avatar
HooowlAtTheMoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once had to ask a male teacher if he had any feminine products or if he knew where to get some and he just told me to sit down and suck it up. like i am bleeding out of my lower half im not going to suck it up. i wish this guy was my teacher he sounds so amazing

jamie_mayfield avatar
Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is weird, because these products should be available for female students in the bathroom. Not that my school ever had them either, but imagine if they did and teachers didn't have to pay out of pocket for basic needs like not bleeding all over the chair in your chemistry class. 1) There is nothing sexual about menstruation, so why would it be a problem for a male teacher to offer hygiene products? Should be the same as offing tissues. 2) Why are teachers paying for hygiene products???? School should offer this, like telling kids to bring their own toilet paper.

deannababy61 avatar
Deanna Crichley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My school did. There were machines in the girls' lav. Nobody else's business.

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imbriuminarian avatar
Bunzilla
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan is creating an issue where none exists. Probably due to her age and the generation she comes from; It just wasn't talked about. Casually having a basket with those supplies is not only super helpful to his female students, but it helps destigmatize and normalize periods. The girls learn it's nothing to be ashamed of. The boys learn that this is just a normal thing that girls go through. Maybe the boys also learn a little bit of compassion. Kudos to that guy for being such a great teacher who clearly cares about his students.

debandtoby54 avatar
Deborah Rubin
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give this guy a medal. And a raise to cover what he's laying out for these much-needed products.

billmarsano avatar
bill marsano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does no one else find it odd that high school girls can't handle this on their own?

cpmeehan avatar
Cheryl Meehan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst I think he’s a caring person these supplies would be less embarrassing for the girls to take if they were provided in the cubicles within the toilets. Girls often don’t tell their friends they have their period let along the whole class at once.

wendycronin avatar
wendy cronin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bravo for the man with a mind and a kind heart shame on the teacher with a rod up her butt

lucilleballd-12 avatar
Kimberley Gayle Thomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is Susan/Karen's problem? Is she jealous she didn't think of it first? Or is it because of her age when having a period was probably risque part of her stigma? Or is it because she doesn't have a period and therefore no longer understands? Suck it Susan! Have a tampon! Down your throat!

takeme2cali avatar
Lynn Owen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I'd had a teacher like him. I had to leave class and go to the school office to be picked up because I didn't have supplieswith me. Instead of understanding the woman in the office made fun of me. And talked about how they used a rag in her day. Was so embarrassed as it was and she didn't help.

nalasimba avatar
nala simba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In "my day" this would have been terribly embarrassing. It is a nice idea, but from a male teacher? We kept these things quiet from our fathers and brothers, even my mother didn't like to discuss any more than was absolutely necessary. That said, I think Susan should mind her own business. Had it been me, I would have said nothing, and accepted the fact without comment.

ealizabethane avatar
Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a young child my mother used to send me to the store with a note to buy "cornflakes in a plain brown wrapper", I'm post menopause now and only figured out in my 20"s what I had been purchasing all those years earlier. The stigma was so high, that they would not even stock the shelves with the boxes without wrapping them in plain brown paper, so no one could see them on a store shelf in public!

btsvmingucci avatar
Min Yoonji da Baddie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BRO, I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL. I'm still in high school currently and one time in freshmen year, my satan blood fountain came. No one had a pad or tampon with them. I got one of the nurses but they were so small, literally useless. I'm glad there are people doing this, even if it seems weird to others. Slowly having faith in humanity with the little things like this.

melayahm avatar
Caroline Driver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

60 going on 99. What century is this woman living in? Next she'll be saying girls should not have sex education and should only do needlework and cookery classes. I think it's kind of the guy to think of this, and cheaper than having stuff in the toilets, no doubt

nanadeb0827 avatar
Deborah Hale
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This teacher is an awesome dude and I wish more teachers, regardless of gender, would do the same! When I was in school in the 60s and 70s I knew of many females that had irregular periods and therefore were unprepared for those "Granny came to visit" moments. This is actually common in teenagers, it may take several years before women can actually know when to expect their periods and plan accordingly, and even then, some women never DO become "regular." Having the option to choose a pad or tampon from a basket is far easier than the desperate whispers I remember from my teenage years, "Do you have a tampon?" I'm willing to bet Susan had that same problem when she was in school!

jarrodnichols avatar
Jarrod Nichols
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the reason I don't even look at any female colleagues anymore. I hate not being able to be friendly without fearing I'll end up in HR for it. And no, I don't do anything creepy. Just another example that I had to say that because everyone will assume I did. I just like the people I work with.

fmc avatar
Niall Mac Iomera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"men need to be more caring and help out women" *Man cates for and helps women* "Eww, that's so creepy"

pernille_dyre avatar
Pernille Dyre
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU ARE A HERO. Thank you for just beeing you. This should be normal. Let that other teacher get upgraded on what should be normal.

wookiee74 avatar
Chewie Baron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone needs to have a word with Susan. (Rolls eyes and tuts)

maeve-j-mcintyre avatar
HalfFinnishedAustralian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the older years, I thought all the teachers had to have a little pack of tampons and pads, at least that's what it was for me.

maxwatson1991 avatar
Max
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, it's not easy to learn when your underwear is full of blood. Even the most heartless teacher should understand that.

averimckay avatar
Bird Nerd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg you are a helpful good person in society that cares about problems people may not want to talk about ur so weird

zanoni608 avatar
Patti Vance
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as soon as he mentioned the age of his colleague it was no surprise that he got this response from her. i am a little older than her and i remember that normal bodily functions seemed to be taboo. however, my family has always treated the body as normal and my attitudes were considered odd.

edylynn avatar
Edy Lynn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's so many men who would refuse to go to a store and buy sanitary protection for their women. It is deemed taboo! This guy is showing that it's part of life. Maybe he could add condoms, not so much to encourage sex but if they know they're gonna do it better be prepared! We need teachers willing to tell what life is really like, not what you see on TV.

macgarry avatar
Effin Fred
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Bad (probably white) male! Now if he was black...?

bbuhbgyu avatar
Bbuhb Gyu
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Because girls will be uncomfortable and embarrassed.

elliejc avatar
Ella Carzana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a big party of WHY this is a brilliant thing. He's normalising all the reasons why people may not have pads etc periods show up randomly for some people and aside from that not everyone can afford to buy them some parents even restrict access to vital supplies. This teacher is fighting against a lack of education.

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fairydragon avatar
Luka Verheijen
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I find it a little weird, you also wouldn't place toilet paper in front of the class, but she should know better as a teacher than saying stupid s**t like this

zairahriyas avatar
Pearl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's hard to find teachers who care about their students this much. Buzz off Susan!

m2crows avatar
Mike Crow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When a male does something like this society believes, unfortunately, that it is either weird that a male cares for his female students or that he has ulterior motives.

suuspuusje avatar
Susie Elle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

God forbid a man actually tries to be altruistic and tries to help his female students. Susan is the one with the problem here, as she assumes the male motivation can only be sexual in nature, and not just a guy trying to help out.

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bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is this US obsession with female hygiene products? They are part of life like toilet paper and handkerchiefs. Seems like there's a hell of a lot of work to do before the US is ready to enter the 21st century.

ivyateve avatar
Ivy at Eve
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was thinking the same thing... but outside the US too. My brother (single dad with daughters) was that weirdo buying sanitary products... why is this still a laughable act?

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truthmonster00 avatar
Truth Monster
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does she own the quarter slot tampons in the school bathrooms....? Just kidding. The male teacher is thoughtful.

njscrutton avatar
OhForSmegSake
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So I asked my 60 year old mother what she thought about this and she thinks "Susan" is a moron and more teachers need to be like OP. I agree.

awdudeno avatar
Jane Doe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's not the kids who think it's weird, it's some woman, two generations separated who thinks that nice girls don't talk about these things. And well, nobody is. They are grabbing what they need and moving on.

gwenchapman avatar
RandomBeing
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The older generation affects a great deal of the younger sadly.

Load More Replies...
liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan is from a time when feminine hygiene products were available only from pharmacies and were kept under the counter prewrapped in plain brown paper.

anvime avatar
Burs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan you are the jerk making girls feel awkward about periods. I bet that she is the kind of teacher to not let her students go to the bathroom (even if they have the period) or go home if they are sick.

cverrilli avatar
Dr. Carlos Dangercat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say put them in a box with a lid on the top and allow the girls to get them discreetly. It might be embarrassing to have to grab something in front of the whole class and teacher. But it seems like he's done that so, so good on him.

pille-parn avatar
Pille P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it really so weird / taboo topic? My mom is a midwife, in my house things like this were always accessible to me. I'm glad my first period happened in the evening at home so mom could explain me everything, but still...

liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are lucky to have a savvy mom. Not that it matters 55 years later, but my mother explained nothing...nada...zilch. And this really is much more typical than you'd believe.

Load More Replies...
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, a male teacher who knows females have menstrual periods. What a.... good thing. I'm happy with this. Why is anyone upset?

seanette avatar
Seanette Blaylock
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strikes me as being a good dad to his daughters, too, and that carries over to his students. Seems like a great guy to me.

Load More Replies...
liddlecatpaws avatar
Jo Johannsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is right up there with teachers who provide food, school supplies, etc. all the little things that many of us take for granted but which are in fact a big deal.

deborahbrett avatar
Deborah B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA. I would raise the issue with your school board of directors, and ask for free period supplies to be kept in all the girls loos, so that all the girls have access when needed. It's good to be open about issues, but let girls have options that protect their privacy too. Not everyone is comfortable with sharing that they're on their period. Yes it's a natural bodily function, and no, it's not shameful, but it's still no one else's business if they want it to be private.

elliejc avatar
Ella Carzana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is this even a question in 2021? People with a uterus bleed. I don't care if the pads etc are provided by a blue whale egg dies the gender/ age of the provider even relevant? It's fab that someone has not only recognised the issue but actively solved it.

jessicanametz avatar
Jessica Rabbit
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am glad the general consensus is NTA. I think it is very thoughtful for the teacher to have them available for the females...

assistanttodj avatar
Assistant to DJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

60yr old Susan and her ancient cultural ways of desperately separating males from being able to normalize the biological processes of a woman's body, making the males more ignorant and awkward about it, and making females of any age feel this is something that should be hidden away from males. Does Susan also think when the female students are on their periods, they must be banished to the school shack outside until she stops bleeding? Do the female teachers also get sent to the shack and have to hide sanitary products from males? Culture won't change until old idiots like Susan die off and younger people with better mentalities replace them (like the dad in the story, kudos to him!).

misstea2020 avatar
Moo Moo Futch
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not the A hole. But I will tell you who is the A hole. Susan 60F next door. She can shove it. I understand she is still hung up from the torment that she will have gone through being a young girl having a period back in those days, but don't project.

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Osgood_7
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

NTA! NTA! NTA! You are helping to destigmatize a natural bodily function that is all too often treated as less than that and used to make women, especially young girls, feel bad about aspects of their body over which they have no control. I only wish more teachers, male and female, did the same.

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Helena Houzarová
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dear Susan, the basket is for the students who are on their period, not for the male teacher. Stop harping on your colleague for being a better person!

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Stannous Flouride
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always had a variety of menstrual products in my bathroom for guests in need. It has never failed to impress. But-full disclosure- the first time was because a girlfriend left some behind and the next woman in need told me, "That's really sweet!" Ever since then I've kept my medicine chest well stocked.

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ShareMusic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now if we can only normalize menstrual blood so that when a female has an 'accident,' it's considered a minor inconvenience rather than a huge embarrassment! I still remember when I was in 7th grade and wearing a white skirt and my period came on strong!

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Erin Levinson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We had a buddy "Bob" a known local bar fly and all around decent dude. He would go buy the bar tenders coffee, and pads or tampons based on their preference. No one felt weird about it, and so it wasn't. At his personal home, he kept a small stash of both. Because he was never thought of as a creeper, just a considerate dude, it was never more than that. Hats off to ALL the fellas for normalizing a totally normal thing. Amy well meaning individual who is treating a normal thing as just that, yo buddy!! Susan must have grown up in a house that was the opposite? Maybe need can all show her compassion. That must have been really hard on her.

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Emma B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Urgh. I worked with a teacher like Susan. She's 'old school' so she expects everything to remain the same as when she started out. They are a huge problem in the American school system. This teacher is showing he gives a damn. A lot of them, sadly, don't. He should be commended for that, not ridiculed by a damn boomer. I run a daycare with an after school program. We keep sanitary products for our girls who mother nature visited early because a lot start at around ten these days it seems like. They shouldn't be embarrassed about nature. Promise you Susan is that teacher who tells bullied students to suck it up and work it out amongst themselves. Mark my words. I hate Susan and teachers like her.

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HooowlAtTheMoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once had to ask a male teacher if he had any feminine products or if he knew where to get some and he just told me to sit down and suck it up. like i am bleeding out of my lower half im not going to suck it up. i wish this guy was my teacher he sounds so amazing

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Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is weird, because these products should be available for female students in the bathroom. Not that my school ever had them either, but imagine if they did and teachers didn't have to pay out of pocket for basic needs like not bleeding all over the chair in your chemistry class. 1) There is nothing sexual about menstruation, so why would it be a problem for a male teacher to offer hygiene products? Should be the same as offing tissues. 2) Why are teachers paying for hygiene products???? School should offer this, like telling kids to bring their own toilet paper.

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Deanna Crichley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My school did. There were machines in the girls' lav. Nobody else's business.

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Bunzilla
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Susan is creating an issue where none exists. Probably due to her age and the generation she comes from; It just wasn't talked about. Casually having a basket with those supplies is not only super helpful to his female students, but it helps destigmatize and normalize periods. The girls learn it's nothing to be ashamed of. The boys learn that this is just a normal thing that girls go through. Maybe the boys also learn a little bit of compassion. Kudos to that guy for being such a great teacher who clearly cares about his students.

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Deborah Rubin
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give this guy a medal. And a raise to cover what he's laying out for these much-needed products.

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bill marsano
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does no one else find it odd that high school girls can't handle this on their own?

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Cheryl Meehan
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whilst I think he’s a caring person these supplies would be less embarrassing for the girls to take if they were provided in the cubicles within the toilets. Girls often don’t tell their friends they have their period let along the whole class at once.

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wendy cronin
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

bravo for the man with a mind and a kind heart shame on the teacher with a rod up her butt

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Kimberley Gayle Thomas
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What the hell is Susan/Karen's problem? Is she jealous she didn't think of it first? Or is it because of her age when having a period was probably risque part of her stigma? Or is it because she doesn't have a period and therefore no longer understands? Suck it Susan! Have a tampon! Down your throat!

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Lynn Owen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I'd had a teacher like him. I had to leave class and go to the school office to be picked up because I didn't have supplieswith me. Instead of understanding the woman in the office made fun of me. And talked about how they used a rag in her day. Was so embarrassed as it was and she didn't help.

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nala simba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In "my day" this would have been terribly embarrassing. It is a nice idea, but from a male teacher? We kept these things quiet from our fathers and brothers, even my mother didn't like to discuss any more than was absolutely necessary. That said, I think Susan should mind her own business. Had it been me, I would have said nothing, and accepted the fact without comment.

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Lisa Shaw
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a young child my mother used to send me to the store with a note to buy "cornflakes in a plain brown wrapper", I'm post menopause now and only figured out in my 20"s what I had been purchasing all those years earlier. The stigma was so high, that they would not even stock the shelves with the boxes without wrapping them in plain brown paper, so no one could see them on a store shelf in public!

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Min Yoonji da Baddie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

BRO, I WOULD BE SO THANKFUL. I'm still in high school currently and one time in freshmen year, my satan blood fountain came. No one had a pad or tampon with them. I got one of the nurses but they were so small, literally useless. I'm glad there are people doing this, even if it seems weird to others. Slowly having faith in humanity with the little things like this.

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Caroline Driver
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

60 going on 99. What century is this woman living in? Next she'll be saying girls should not have sex education and should only do needlework and cookery classes. I think it's kind of the guy to think of this, and cheaper than having stuff in the toilets, no doubt

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Deborah Hale
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This teacher is an awesome dude and I wish more teachers, regardless of gender, would do the same! When I was in school in the 60s and 70s I knew of many females that had irregular periods and therefore were unprepared for those "Granny came to visit" moments. This is actually common in teenagers, it may take several years before women can actually know when to expect their periods and plan accordingly, and even then, some women never DO become "regular." Having the option to choose a pad or tampon from a basket is far easier than the desperate whispers I remember from my teenage years, "Do you have a tampon?" I'm willing to bet Susan had that same problem when she was in school!

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Jarrod Nichols
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the reason I don't even look at any female colleagues anymore. I hate not being able to be friendly without fearing I'll end up in HR for it. And no, I don't do anything creepy. Just another example that I had to say that because everyone will assume I did. I just like the people I work with.

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Niall Mac Iomera
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"men need to be more caring and help out women" *Man cates for and helps women* "Eww, that's so creepy"

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Pernille Dyre
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU ARE A HERO. Thank you for just beeing you. This should be normal. Let that other teacher get upgraded on what should be normal.

wookiee74 avatar
Chewie Baron
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone needs to have a word with Susan. (Rolls eyes and tuts)

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HalfFinnishedAustralian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the older years, I thought all the teachers had to have a little pack of tampons and pads, at least that's what it was for me.

maxwatson1991 avatar
Max
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, it's not easy to learn when your underwear is full of blood. Even the most heartless teacher should understand that.

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Bird Nerd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

omg you are a helpful good person in society that cares about problems people may not want to talk about ur so weird

zanoni608 avatar
Patti Vance
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

as soon as he mentioned the age of his colleague it was no surprise that he got this response from her. i am a little older than her and i remember that normal bodily functions seemed to be taboo. however, my family has always treated the body as normal and my attitudes were considered odd.

edylynn avatar
Edy Lynn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's so many men who would refuse to go to a store and buy sanitary protection for their women. It is deemed taboo! This guy is showing that it's part of life. Maybe he could add condoms, not so much to encourage sex but if they know they're gonna do it better be prepared! We need teachers willing to tell what life is really like, not what you see on TV.

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Effin Fred
Community Member
2 years ago

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Bad (probably white) male! Now if he was black...?

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Bbuhb Gyu
Community Member
2 years ago

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Because girls will be uncomfortable and embarrassed.

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Ella Carzana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a big party of WHY this is a brilliant thing. He's normalising all the reasons why people may not have pads etc periods show up randomly for some people and aside from that not everyone can afford to buy them some parents even restrict access to vital supplies. This teacher is fighting against a lack of education.

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Luka Verheijen
Community Member
2 years ago

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I find it a little weird, you also wouldn't place toilet paper in front of the class, but she should know better as a teacher than saying stupid s**t like this

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