Should you have to tell teachers you’re on your period to go to the toilet during a lesson and change your pad/tampon?

Question

Personally I’m comfortable with telling teachers regardless of gender but my friends aren’t so they wondered if there should be a code or something . I asked my male music teacher to go to the toilet and he said no (they’ve banned going during lessons) and then I said it’s because I’m on my period and he said he’s weirded out by the fact I told him and then let me go 😂

Answer

If you work in a school with teenage girls then you have to expect girls can come on at any time so banning going to the toilet during lessons is wrong so you shouldn't have to tell them

Answer

As a high school teacher I personally never tell students no. I know I have to run to the bathroom for lots of reasons and it’s not always convenientlay timed! if I have multiple kids out already, I’ll ask the boy or girl if they mind waiting but if they say it can’t wait they’re welcome to go. I’m not a babysitter lol. But I DO know that administration isn’t always the most accommodating. They can be pretty strict about only having one kid out at a time, not allowing tons of trips etc. so that puts the pressure on teachers. It can also be a huge inconvenience to have various kids miss bits and pieces of the class. Idk that there is a good solution to that, just food for thought! 🤷🏻‍♀️if it’s really an issue something you may want to do is talk to a female teacher you guys like and see if they can help you communicate w the male teacher to make a plan/signal or something in case of a lady-emergency?

Answer

I think it's odd that he was weirded out. He is an adult and should be mature and aware of girls/women and not think anything of it. I never grew up in schools where you would have to explain why your going to the bathroom or getting denied to go so I don't have an opinion on the question but I wouldn't have a problem saying it's that time of the month to teachers

Answer

I see both sides of this argument. Some people take advantage of bathroom breaks. I personally always went in between each class. I don’t have a problem telling them I’m on if I needed to but I also understand that so many people just go to the bathroom to get out of class and there’s other opportunities to go. Unless of course it’s an emergency that can’t wait.

Answer

I have had to do this so many times. honestly sad that teachers make you hold it unless you tell them it’s a “period emergency”

Answer

If he found it weird, he shouldn't have denied you access. You shouldn't need a password, people should stop being weird about women's bodies.