Period-Shaming ain't cool: Here are 4 things to keep in mind when you have the 'period talk' with your teen daughter

After a 12-year old girl in TN committed suicide because her teacher scolded her for letting her skirt get stained with blood, the focus is back on eliminating the stigma related to menstruation
It is extremely important to work towards removing stigma, especially among young vulnerable children
It is extremely important to work towards removing stigma, especially among young vulnerable children

After a 12-year old girl in Tami Nadu committed suicide because her teacher scolded her for letting her skirt get stained with blood, the focus is back on eliminating the stigma related to menstruation.

In India when a girl hits puberty, it is announced to the whole world, banners are put up, halls rented out and food is served. Yep, we're talking about the Manjal Neeraatu Vizha. Yet, so many parents don't even try and sit down with their daughters to explain what is happening to their bodies, tell them that it is normal and assure them that it is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Early Monday morning, 12-year old Priya jumped to her death off the terrace of her house, in her suicide note she blamed her teacher for scolding her in class. A classmate then revealed to the parents, that the teacher had yelled at her for staining her uniform when she got her period

Perhaps, if 12-year-old Priya's* parents had told her that periods were just a part of growing up, or if her teacher had known that menstruation was nothing to be ashamed about - the little girl from Palayamkottai might have been alive today.

Early Monday morning, 12-year old Priya jumped to her death off the terrace of her house, in her suicide note she blamed her teacher for scolding her in class. A classmate then revealed to the parents, that the teacher had yelled at her for staining her uniform when she got her period during class. She allegedly lifted the girl's salwar, embarrassing the child in front of the entire class. The incident ultimately led to her suicide.

As discussions rage on about whether or not period leave is a good thing or not, it is extremely important to work towards removing stigma, especially among young vulnerable children.

Here's a 4 point guide that psychologists suggest that parents talk to their children about menstruation-

Educate the child about menstruation in the pre-puberty phase - Don't try talking about it so early that they don't understand. If they raise questions about other classmates who have had it or are absent from class, it's time for the talk


Convey that it a normal thing - Parents should tell the child that menstruation is a just a part of growing up. Compare it to the way boys begin to grow facial hair or how their voices change.


Don't use words like bad blood - Many parents tell the child that bad blood is leaving the body or that something unhealthy is happening, these are wrong ways to convey the message. Parents should let the child know that nothing about the process is unnatural or unhealthy


Give them tips to manage their hygiene - Parents should let the child know that it is important to be hygienic when they are menstruating but at no point should they feel like they should be ashamed of it.

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