Several Changes Happen During Puberty

Several Changes Happen During Puberty
Several changes happen during puberty, and when puberty happens, one is sexually prepared already. Both boys and girls go through puberty, but the changes they go through are different. When a girl reaches puberty, she undergoes physical changes such as breast enlargement, hip widening, pubic hair growth, and the onset of menstruation. Looking at the big picture, menstruation is normal and necessary for a young woman's development. These changes, however, have had an impact on the various aspects of a girl's life. Menstruation has had an impact on their education, sanitation, health, social roles, and human rights (Jewitt & Ryley, 2014; Lahiri-Dutt, 2015; Mazzarella, 2008).
Menstruation has affected sanitation and health. Sanitation is needed to achieve equality in education and gender (Jewitt & Ryley, 2014). Menstruating women are considered
'dirty.' Scientifically speaking, menstrual blood is unclean and emits a foul odor. In addition, if a woman does not know how to use sanitary pads correctly, she is more likely to contract diseases and infections and is prone to leaks. Therefore, if a woman does not know how to control and handle her menstruation, that is the time wherein she gets unsanitary and unhealthy.
Menstruation has also been identified as a source of strain and a deterrent to education. Most young women prefer to deal with their menstrual cycles at home, which causes them to miss class. Their entire menstrual cycle causes them distress and humiliation. A young woman who is menstruating during the school day must have access to private restrooms, adequate water supply, free sanitary pads, free medicines, and spare clothing, but many schools are unable to provide the necessary facilities and materials. Aside from menstruation, economic hardship and gender disparity have also made it difficult for these young women to attend school. As young as they were, they needed to earn money to buy the necessary menstrual supplies and to continue attending classes. Despite these incidents, schools continue to educate young women about menstruation (Jewitt & Ryley, 2014). Hence, menstruation has negatively impacted young women's education.
Menstruation has also affected young women's social roles. Menstruation is associated with womanhood and reproduction. A young woman who is menstruating is regarded as capable of performing more complex tasks and bearing children (Lahiri-Dutt, 2015; Mazzarella, 2008). Women are seen as men's companions in today's world. When a woman marries, it is expected that she will have children. She will also be solely responsible for all housework, including cooking, cleaning, child care, and other responsibilities. This viewpoint is unacceptable because women can also work and provide for their families. The role of women in society must not become stagnant. Women are just as capable as men and deserve the same treatment and importance. Hence, it is evident that ...