Channeling Heidi Jansen, an early bloomer of 7th grade cheerleading, I convinced some of my 10th grade girl students during Adolescent Reproductive Health (aka SEX ED) that tampons are much more comfortable and effective to use, despite some of the taboos against them here. Contrary to popular belief, they do not take away your virginity, make you smell bad, or anything else. And it sure is a lot better than using cut up baby diapers, the common, (well yes, more cost effective) practice here.
Today two girls came to my desk during lunch and asked if I had any for them to try. I felt like the local corner store drug dealer as I slid a drawer open to display my vast selection (I was prepared for girls to ask me about this after our sex ed lesson of the prior day). They made their selection and we slyly made the exchange. I was a little surprised when they asked to use my supply closet in lieu of the bathroom, but given that the new building is a bit far away from the bathrooms, my classroom is on the 2nd floor, and they probably wouldn’t wash their hands in the bathroom anyway and would be better off with my offer of hand sanitizer, I complied. They came out from the closet successful and beaming. Do I feel bad for advocating a practice the Marshallese culture eschews? Simply put, no.
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