A Florida proposal is being prepared by legislators that would forbid mensuration-related discussions in schools prior to the sixth grade. Many laws restricting the discussion of gender and sexuality in public schools have previously been approved by Florida’s legislature, which is dominated by Republican legislators.
Stan Mclain has made the most recent suggestion, which is to forbid discussion of the menstrual cycle in schools before the sixth grade. According to reports, the proposal would only permit conversation and instruction on “acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted illnesses, or health education” in grades six through twelve, which commonly refers to students between the ages of 12 and 18.
Most girls start having periods between the ages of 10 and 15, though some start as early as nine.
“Imagine a little girl in fourth grade, going to the bathroom and finding blood in her panties and thinking that she is dying,” state representative Ashley Gantt, a Democrat, said in a video posted on Instagram.
“She doesn’t actually know what’s going on. And her teacher does not even have the ability to tell her that this is a part of life.”
The proposal would prevent teachers from discussing menstruation with females younger than 12
When McClain was asked by the media during a subcommittee hearing if the proposal would prevent teachers from discussing menstrual cycles with females younger than 12, he answered, “it would.”
In support of his position, he claimed that the legislation would increase consistency in sex education throughout the state and offer parents greater control over curricula. Later, he allegedly admitted that he was willing to change it.
The panel voted 13 to 5 to pass the bill
Planned Parenthood condemned the measure, claiming it will stigmatize LGBTQ youth by promoting a “reductive and binary picture of sex” and “transfer ultimate responsibility from local school districts in approving sex-ed curriculum” to the State Department of Education. AFP used the organization’s quote. The panel voted 13 to 5 to pass the bill.
Annie Filkowski, the director of strategy and politics for the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, called the law “absurd.”
“This bill shines a bright light on Florida’s political leaders’ perpetual thirst for power,” she said in a statement as per AFP, calling it ridiculous to ban young students from discussing periods with their teachers.
Such regulations have been portrayed by DeSantis, who is widely regarded as Donald Trump’s main challenger for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, as a reasonable response to excesses brought on by progressive activism.
Yet, detractors claim that conservative legislators in Florida and other states are attempting to impose their own ideals while restricting free speech rights and preventing students from receiving a well-rounded education.