I have never felt so old!

I honestly can't remember my first period. It wasn't that traumatic or memorable an experience. I didn't have any sort of talk with my mother about it. I had educated myself enough on how the process worked to deal with it when it happened. Maybe I am oblivious but I also don't believe there is a "social stigma surrounding girls and their period". It is a natural function of the body and is experienced by women across the world. And, in my experience as a woman, men have been completely comfortable with this process. They know how it works, they'll go by the tampons, they understand they can't have sex for a few days. Maybe it is a consequence of my own comfort with myself that they are comfortable with it but I have never been with a man that was not understanding of this time of the month. My ex-husband was always trying to find ways to make me feel better; hot water bottles, pain relievers, chocolate. If girls have a problem dealing with this then their parents or healthcare professional should be educating them. I don't believe that girls get a very effective education about their bodies. Girls need to be prepared to deal with the barrage of media images and social slanders that might threaten their self image. And it seems obvious, especially after reading some of this weeks reading in "Red" that they are not prepared. I was lucky enough to have a mother who was a healthcare professional and a father who had no modesty and did not believe there was anything that could not be discussed with his children. Because of this environment I never felt awkward in my skin and was able to appreciate my body as it was. Consequently I have always had self confidence. If a girl in today's world can't get that kind of support from her family, what other resource could be provided for her that might give her the same strength? I have always felt that awareness is key to change. If girls are aware that there is support, that there are people that have been through what they are going through and succeeded, it can be helpful. Although I am not much of a blogger, I understand this medium is an excellent resource for girls today. they are comfortable talking to others anonymously about their fears and insecurities and are able to get support from other bloggers. Also, websites such as the loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org site provide a source for information they may find difficult to talk about. Girls today have a great resource in the internet, something I did not have as a girl. But, there is also something to be said for what support they have in the real world. That is also where awareness comes in. By raising awareness and talking about the uncomfortable subjects in school, it brings them out into the open so that nobody is left to wonder and be confused alone; they can be confused together.