BOYS, LET'S TALK. PERIOD

Author SONALI SHENOY breaks the taboo on menstruation in her latest book for kids. She emphasises the need to educate young readers, especially boys.

-  Kayalvizhi Arivalan

“When I was in school, a boy classmate asked me what pads were used for.

MY FRIENDS AND I TURNED PALE. WE BEAT AROUND THE BUSH, AND DID NOT TELL HIM”

Youngsters might find swearing cool, but ask them for a pad or try to talk about periods, and you will probably have them squirming with embarrassment. In fact, in many households, the TV channel is promptly switched when an ad for a sanitary napkin airs. Whether it is menstruation or menopause, there is almost always a stigma attached to such conversations. The best way to make a change is to start when kids are still young, feels Chennai-based Sonali Shenoy who has authored a children’s book on the topic.

‘What’s the Big Secret?: Why you need to know...Period’ is a conversation starter. The fun and informative picture book revolves around 11-year old Aditya, who is curious about what his sister carries so secretively in a brown paper package. He tries to find out by asking, but no answers are forthcoming. “When I was in school, a boy classmate asked me what pads were used for,” recalls Shenoy. “My friends and I turned pale. In a hushed tone, I asked him why he wanted to know. Turns out he was just curious. We beat around the bush, and did not tell him.”