Today’s blog post comes from Jenaya James, our newest student volunteer. Jenaya is wrapping up her Master’s in Global Health at King’s College London in the UK. Jenaya has an interest in women’s health, and in this blog post, she explores the important role that fathers can play in supporting their daughters’ menstrual health.
Traditionally, conversations about menstrual health have landed squarely in the laps of mothers. When daughters reach puberty, it’s usually mum who steps up with advice and reassurance, while dads tend to retreat, sometimes out of respect, sometimes discomfort, and often because they’ve been taught it’s simply not their domain. The result? Menstrual health becomes a private, almost secretive, affair. One entrusted solely to mothers.
Yet circumstances vary; sometimes a mother may be unavailable, or a household may not have a maternal figure at all. In such cases, it becomes clear that menstrual health cannot be viewed as the sole concern of mothers. An academic perspective highlights that adolescents benefit most when multiple caregivers, regardless of gender, are equipped to offer guidance and support. Creating an environment where fathers and all caregivers participate in these conversations not only addresses practical needs but also fosters a culture of openness and shared responsibility, key values within both family life and broader society.
In Caribbean communities, care, protection, and raising strong, self-assured young women are the backbone of our family values. Supporting your daughter through her period matters just as much as nursing a fever, bandaging a scraped knee, or lending an ear after a tough day at school. Yet, nearly 1 in 5 girls across Caribbean and Latin American countries misses school, work, or social activities during their period, often because of stigma or lack of supplies. When we fall silent about periods, it’s not an act of respect; it’s a legacy of shame that can result in missed opportunities. This post unpacks why fathers matter in these conversations, acknowledges the awkwardness many feel, offers practical starting points, and highlights how breaking the silence truly upholds the family values we prize.
Why This Conversation Matters So Much
When a father speaks openly, without flinching, about periods, he’s sending a powerful message: your body is normal. There’s nothing to hide, and certainly nothing to be ashamed of. That message sticks; it shapes how a girl sees herself for years to come. Studies consistently show that when fathers are loving and involved, daughters have higher self-esteem and better mental health, especially during the vulnerable teen years when confidence is easily shaken, and body image is under siege. But if a dad stays silent, looks away, or deflects with a “go ask your mother,” a different lesson lands: that this natural part of life is somehow embarrassing, unclean, or too uncomfortable for the man she looks up to.
Being open additionally creates trust. When both parents are willing to talk, daughters do not have to choose who to turn to. At times of pain, worry, or confusion, having two safe people instead of one can make a big difference. A study on barriers to menstrual education shows that silence and secrecy create shame, and that shame becomes internalised. Girls learn to hide their needs, suffer quietly, and avoid asking for help right when they need support the most.
This is a familiar issue in Caribbean communities and the wider Black diaspora. Cultural taboos, religious modesty, and a long history of keeping reproductive health out of men’s conversations have created a deep silence. In many homes, periods are whispered about, hidden, and seen as shameful instead of natural. This silence has real effects: girls may feel unsure about their bodies, avoid seeking healthcare when they need it, and feel less confident speaking up for themselves. When fathers help break that silence, they are not only helping their own daughters. They are helping change things for the next generation.
Being involved means picking up supplies, keeping a hot water bottle handy, knowing which pain relief is safe, and pitching in when she’s cramping or exhausted. This isn’t just “women’s work,” it’s family care. When you step up, you’re modelling respect, empathy, and mutual responsibility.
Addressing The Awkwardness
Acknowledging awkwardness is important. Concerns about saying the wrong thing, causing embarrassment, or a lack of expertise are common and understandable. Academic research suggests that such barriers are widespread, not personal failings, and that families benefit when both parents, regardless of gender, feel empowered to participate in these conversations. Ultimately, what matters most is a supportive, approachable presence; expertise is secondary to genuine care and openness.
Research shows that most fathers want to support their daughters but refrain because they feel unprepared, unsure what to say, or think they lack credibility. You might also worry about overstepping or making things more uncomfortable. But the truth is, your voice matters simply because you are her father.
Perfection isn’t the goal; presence is. These actions lay the groundwork for her to advocate for herself in other contexts, whether at school, work, or in relationships. Thus, parental engagement in menstrual health becomes not just a matter of care, but a foundation for lifelong self-advocacy and confidence.
This responsibility does not belong to mothers alone. When fathers participate fully, they help set enduring standards for respect, care, and openness that daughters will carry into adulthood.
Consider starting this conversation; it’s a small step with far-reaching effects, both for your daughter and for the culture you create within your home.
Reference list
- Barrington, Gera, Russell and Burrow (2025). Dads, Let’s Talk Periods: Community Conversation Report. Consumer and Community Involvement Program.
- Beckert, Allgood and Peckert (2012). The Role of Father Involvement in the Perceived Psychological Well-Being of Young Adult Daughters: A Retrospective Study.
- Duby (2020). Menstrual stigma, shame and secrecy: a systematic review protocol. Summarised in Exploring Barriers to Menstrual Education Between Maternal Figures and Young Girls.
- Moodley-Marie & Parry (2025). The Politics of Menstrual Stigmas and Taboos: Integrating Menstrual Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Africa and the Caribbean Region
- PLOS Global Public Health (2026). Menstrual Stigma and Mental Health for Adolescent Girls.
- SAIL-SRHR Research (2026). Period Poverty in Manchester: Young Voices Call for Education, Access and Support.
- UNICEF República Dominicana. (2026, May 28). En RD, más del 20 % de las mujeres interrumpe sus actividades durante la menstruación; UNICEF llama a garantizar una gestión menstrual digna [In the Dominican Republic, more than 20% of women interrupt their activities during menstruation; UNICEF calls for dignified menstrual management].
- Oficina Nacional de Estadística (ONE) & UNICEF República Dominicana. (2022). Informe general Encuesta ENHOGAR-MICS 2019.
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