swimming teacher forcing children

[madmom95]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? pennsylvania
Is there any violations for forcing girls to take swimming even during their menstral cycle or fail?
My daughter does not currently use tampons, and is not comfortable attempting to use them yet. Her swimming teacher in school told her that during her cycle she either needs to wear a tampon and get credit or not wear a tampon and take a zero. Can they do this to her?

 

[ecmst12]

Sounds reasonable today. She's not going to fail the whole class because of one day of no credit, and it's absolutely her choice whether to do what's necessary to participate. Using tampons isn't exactly rocket science.

 

[antrc170]

While I agree with ecmst, I would suggest sitting down with the principal and explaining your situation. You will need some logical reason that your daughter has chosen not to use the hygiene products. If she has a medical reason, then provide a doctors note. The school can choose to give her a dissatisfactory grade for any activity that she chooses not to complete because of her lack to use reasonable protection.

 

[justalayman]

and I strongly disagree with the others. It is not up to the school or a teacher to mandate what type of protection a student uses.

You will need some logical reason that your daughter has chosen not to use the hygiene products.

I presume she is using something, just not a tampon. A pad is not conducive to swimming. She need to provide no reason as to why she won't use a tampon. It really isn't anybody else's business.

If they want a reason, tell them she has concerns with toxic shock syndrome and have chosen to not use tampons due to the concerns. I would think a school wouldn't be so foolish to demand a person use a product known to be associated with such a serious illness. It puts them in a position of liability.

If the teacher has such a problem with this, I see no reason the girls time of menses should be considered any different than an illness. I would speak with the school admin and let them know in no uncertain terms the school does not have the right to demand a girl use tampons if she does not do so by her own choice.

 

[You Are Guilty]

Nor is the school going to want the heath issues of letting her swim "unprotected". Perhaps some rubber underwear* would make a nice compromise?




* Or whatever it is infants use to swim in.

 

[TinkerBelleLuvr]

some females are unable to use tampons (my daughter was one of them.) The easiest way out of this is to get a doctor's note to that effect. See if they can find a different form of exercise for your daughter on those days.

 

[madmom95]

I talked to the school guidence counselor, and was told that the physical education department has their own guidelines that they follow and that there isn't anything that the school can do. My daughter is 15 years old and is not comfortable with inserting something into her body down there yet. Far be it from me to force the issue. So I did talk to her doctor, and he was completely appauled that the school would even make this suggestion. He gave her an excuse to not take swimming during her menstral cycle.
By the way to whom ever posted she would not fail for missing one day, they have swimming twice a week for 9 weeks so no she might not have failed. Its not about her failing. Its about forcing a child to insert something into her body that she is not comfortable doing when they can easily have them do an alternative physical activity to get the grade.