Menstruation is a difficult topic to discuss, not just for teenagers but often for the adults around them as well. Young people who are dealing with their periods just want to get through the day without having to deal with yet another issue. But this can be tough if their parents or loved ones aren’t giving them the support they need.
One teen on Reddit experienced a lot of annoyance during her period when her father took issue with the way she was disposing of her feminine hygiene products.
More info: Reddit
Interfering dad waits till teen is at work to do something disgusting that will teach her a lesson for not following his rules
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
Daughter and dad were fighting because their dogs kept removing her used period products from the bathroom trash, which is why he wanted her to use the kitchen bin instead
Image credits: dani0010 (not the actual photo)
16 Y.O. found it embarrassing to dispose of her feminine hygiene items in the kitchen and kept dumping them in the bathroom bin
Image credits: CHUTTERSNAP (not the actual photo)
One day her dad decided to teach her a lesson, and he waited till she had gone to work, then emptied the entire trashcan contents on her bed
Image credits: u/max-the-trash-rat
When she came back, she started yelling at him, but he called her the jerk, and even the teen’s mother seemed to be siding with him
The Original Poster (OP) is a 16-year-old who constantly fought with her dad about where her menstrual products should be disposed of. Her dad did not like that the dogs would enter their bathroom and take the used period products from the bin. That’s why he wanted her to throw the feminine hygiene products in the kitchen trash can instead. But the teen felt embarrassed to do that and kept using the bathroom trash can.
The Mayo Clinic stated that when it comes to menstruation, it’s important for dads to increase children’s autonomy with regard to using the toilet and washing up afterward. This means that fathers should be supportive of the needs of their menstruating children so that the kids also feel safe and comfortable during that time of the month.
According to Natracare: “By fully supporting your child’s periods, you are going to be amazed at how much your relationship grows and is strengthened by opening up your heart and mind to this critical part of their young lives.” Unfortunately, popular research has found that fathers want to support their daughters during menstruation but find it uncomfortable to talk about it with them.
It’s not just fathers who have a difficult time discussing this topic, but girls, women, and other menstruators as well. Studies have shown that around 58% of women feel a sense of embarrassment just because they are on their period. Just like how the poster found it difficult to dispose of her feminine hygiene products in the kitchen trash, many other teens and adults find it hard to share that they are on their period.
Image credits: Karolina Grabowska (not the actual photo)
But when it comes to the disposal of menstrual waste, the poster wondered if she was wrong to go against her father’s rule. Her mother’s silence on the issue also made her question if she shouldn’t have gotten angry. According to Initial, “with washrooms designed without considering feminine hygiene needs, getting a period can be stressful for women. Menstruation can impact women’s mental and physical health and well-being, and not having clean or adequate facilities to meet these hygiene needs can create unnecessary stress.”
This means that it’s more important to consider the needs of the menstruator during that time of the month. They also add that “a dedicated sanitary bin in the washroom can help women manage their menstrual waste more conveniently and discreetly. These bins are designed to collect and contain menstrual waste, which can help to prevent odors and maintain hygiene standards in the washroom.” That’s exactly why the poster kept disposing of her feminine products in the place she felt the most comfortable.
A study by WaterAid found that around 20% of women refused to use the toilet during menstruation due to the non-availability of proper disposal options. That’s why it’s very important to listen to women and girls about what they need during their menstrual cycle. Research on sanitary products also points to the fact that women are taught to keep their menstruation a secret. Most discussions about periods are considered taboo.
Just like how OP stood up to her father about disposing of her menstruation waste, it’s important for more people to speak out about their needs when they’re on their periods. Disposal of period products should happen in a way that’s safe and doesn’t cause discomfort to the menstruator. Commenters also sided with the teen and said that her father was the one who overreacted. What do you think about this complicated situation? Let us know who you side with in the comments.
Netizens were enraged and said that the dad was being unreasonable and should have simply bought a trashcan with a lid for the bathroom
