Across the globe, there are approximately 1.8 billion individuals who menstruate monthly, according to the National Institute of Health. In addition to this, the average person spends around $180 per year on period products. Looking at it from a lifetime perspective, this accounts for over $7,000.
As a woman, a period is something that I do not choose to get. Therefore, why should I have to pay for products that are meant to provide comfort and aid for my bodily anatomy?
This controversial debate is one that has two very opposing sides. On one side of the spectrum, individuals, like myself, believe that menstrual products should be free of cost because we cannot control getting periods. In opposition, others believe the products should be worth something due to the price it takes to make these products.
A big reason these products should be free is to show equality for all. In this society, not everyone holds the same socioeconomic status, which leads to some getting more opportunities than others. In simpler terms, those in better financial situations can afford to get these products over those who are not.
It is also important to note the price of period products has increased drastically in recent years. For instance, the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) states the price of sanitary pads has increased by 41% since 2019. This is a big jump that many individuals cannot afford.
Continuing on the topic of finances, the U.S. has a major poverty issue, resulting in having one of the highest poverty rates for being such a developed country. In 2023, over millions of U.S. residents lived in poverty. For women specifically, females make up 12.9% of the poverty rate compared to 10.7% of men. Once again, this shows there are people in the world who are at a disadvantage compared to others. By making menstrual products free, it could help alleviate the financial burden that many women face.
To look at it from a different perspective, it would be ideal to have menstrual products cost no money at all, however it is highly unrealistic. From an economic standpoint, it costs thousands of dollars to produce these goods. If manufacturers were to sell these goods for free, then they wouldn’t be making any money. Additionally, the cost of material to create these products also cost money. Again, selling these products for free would ultimately lead to more debt for our country as a whole.
Similarly, Vanessa Thielbar, a junior communicative disorders major, agrees.
“For women’s sake, it would be ideal to have period products be free,” Thielbar said. “But for a company’s sake, it would be unrealistic because they would not be producing any profit.”
Unfortunately for us, our world thrives off of money. This means nearly everything has a cost; even the things that shouldn’t.
While it would be most inclusive to offer free period products, it wouldn’t fit into the current economy of our world. A good start would be to begin lowering the cost of these products. If companies cannot even do that, then that just shows that the American system values profit over equality.
