Do you remember sex education in school? Do you remember learning about the birds and the bees, and all things natural on God’s green earth?
I certainly do. After all, such teachings can leave a lasting impression upon children, and rightly so. It’s important that we learn what are bodies are capable of, and the processes and changes we can expect to see as we grow older and mature.
Well, schools in Brighton, UK, have made headlines after introducing a gender inclusivity policy when teaching their students about menstruation. Children as young as eight-years-old will now be taught that individuals of any gender can get a period, whilst sanitary waste disposal units will be placed in all washrooms, not just those assigned to girls …
According to reports, recent studies have shown that children are more likely to benefit when the subject of menstruation is tackled from a gender-inclusive point of view. That is to say that those naturally born as girls (and who still have female genitalia) but who identify themselves boys can and will get periods too.
Naturally, the subject has paved the way for quite the debate. Some parents have praised the idea, whilst others fear it could affect their children’s education.
Guidelines
As per Breitbart: “The instructions were included in guidelines published by the local council earlier this month on ‘Taking a Period Positive Approach in Brighton & Hove Schools’, which assert there is “more work to do across all settings to prevent and reduce stigma related to periods and talking about periods.”
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Brighton & Hove City Council looked to clarify some of the guidelines, stating: “By encouraging effective education on menstruation and puberty, we hope to reduce stigma and ensure no child or young person feels shame in asking for period products inside or outside of school if they need them. We believe that it’s important for all genders to be able to learn and talk about menstruation together… Our approach recognizes the fact that some people who have periods are trans or non-binary.”
In terms of opposition to the idea, there are those who believe teaching eight-year-olds about the concept of transgender boys having periods is the wrong way to go.
What do you think of the concept? Should children be taught such at an early age? Or is it political-correctness gone too far? Let us know in the comments box below.
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