Elizabeth Riosgot her periodin fifth grade.
I thought I was in trouble for getting it early.
I thought it was something I had done wrong, Rios toldGlamour.
But I think that just comes from a lack of education about it.
Rios is one of the many Floridians who got her period before sixth grade.
While the bill doesnt explicitly mention menstruation, anearly versionsought to limit health education before sixth grade.
Its just a medical thing that happens.
Its like, Oh, I broke my foot.
I feel like, if anything, it should be talked about more, she said.
Its just a medical thing that happens.
Its like, Oh, I broke my foot, she said.
Rubalcaba got her period when she was 11 and in fifth grade.
As the first of her friends to get it, she talked to them about it.
It can be scary not knowing whats going on with our bodies.
Everyones first period is different.
I feel like it was a taboo or something you dont talk about it at all, she said.
I feel like we need to overturn this narrative by providing this education to people.
To spare this confusion or anxiety over it, its really something that should be talked about.
We must guarantee they are able to advocate for themselves and are aware of their bodily autonomy.
A lot of girls will get their period at 10, maybe even younger.
They should feel supported; they should be given the proper resources.
She was the first girl in her class to get it, she said.
I remember feeling a little confused and nervous.
So she turned to her friends, who started to ask questions: What is it like?
What do I feel?
Being able to talk about it with friends put me at ease.
My teacher was well aware, but I dont have much memory of what that was like.
I do remember it was not a bad thing that she knew, Perez said.
Its not gross to them, because the human body is our body.
Honestly this [potential] law pisses me off for so many reasons.
One, it was written by a man.
Two, why do legislators in Florida continue to go after children?
This is an incredibly natural part of life.
Three, we are telling kids that there is something wrong with them, something to be ashamed of.
A lot of girls will get their period at 10, maybe even younger.
They should feel supported; they should be given the proper resources, Perez toldGlamour.
As the mother of boys, one of whom is going through puberty right now, its our job.
It just comes down to respect.
Its not gross to them, because the human body is our body.
Roth fears the consequences of a lack of education could be detrimental.
