This father-son duo in the pad aisle is breaking a generations-old taboo
'Find it uncomfortable to get your wife pads? That's because your dad never normalized it with you,' the dad says, turning to his son. 'We're here getting pads for the wifey, right buddy?'
'Yep,' the boy replies with an easy smile.
It's a simple exchange in a TikTok that's been viewed more than two million times—but for many, it's the kind of moment they wished they'd seen growing up. A moment where care is shown without embarrassment, where a child learns that supporting the people you love includes showing up for every need, even the ones society has often kept in the shadows.
The taboo we inherited
For decades, conversations about menstruation have been shaped more by silence than by openness. Many parents — especially fathers — didn't talk about periods with their children/
In school, it was common for boys and girls to be separated for puberty lessons, meaning many boys grew up with little to no understanding of what menstruation actually was.
This gap in knowledge left kids uninformed and often reinforced the idea that periods were something to be whispered about or hidden. That cultural discomfort has lingered across generations, influencing how partners talk about menstruation, how workplaces handle menstrual needs, and how young people form their earliest ideas about gender and bodies.
Progress has been made — it wasn't until 2017 that a menstrual product ad first used red liquid instead of the traditional blue in a demonstration, according to The Week. But this TikTok shows that normalizing menstruation often begins with small moments at home rather than big campaigns.
Related: This dad canceled a 'period party' to protect his daughter's privacy—and parents can't stop applauding him
Why this video resonated so deeply
This brief TikTok clip struck a powerful chord with viewers, sparking heartfelt conversations about the shame and secrecy many experienced growing up around menstruation.
For some, it brought up a deep longing: wishing the men in their lives had approached periods with the same ease and care. For others—especially men—it served as a moment of reflection, highlighting how much attitudes about menstruation are passed down through generations.
What stood out most wasn't just the dad's calm, straightforward words, but the son's unbothered 'Yep.' That simple response showed a boy learning early that menstruation isn't strange or shameful. This kind of modeling can ripple outwards, encouraging empathy and support in future relationships and communities.
Related: Dad on Reddit wants to know: Should boys learn about periods?
Expert insight — why involving boys matters
Talking openly about menstruation with boys helps build empathy, equality, and healthier relationships—moving beyond awkwardness to meaningful understanding.
Research published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that early, accurate education about reproductive health can help dismantle stigma and reduce gender-based misconceptions. When boys understand what menstruation is — and that it's a normal biological process — they're less likely to perpetuate teasing, shame, or misinformation.
This kind of normalization benefits everyone. Girls feel supported and seen. Boys gain a fuller understanding of the human body and learn that care isn't gendered. And over time, the cycle of silence and stigma can be replaced with one of openness and respect.
Related: Mom's viral rap about periods should be shown in every health class
What people are saying
Viewers, both everyday people and brands, joined the conversation with praise and personal stories. U by Kotex® US summed it up best,
'real men raise good men'
Many echoed the importance of teaching empathy and maturity:
Sheila1815: '
Teaching a son how a husband loves and supports his wife and mother of his kids. Top Tier!'
Others shared how deeply ingrained stigma still is:
Lisa 2.0: 'Thank you. It was shamed so much in my house, I was embarrassed to buy them. Great job, Dad.'
And some reminded us why this normalization matters:
Eagle: 'how it should be, there's nothing wrong with periods, it's just nature. girls don't need bullied or embarrassed about it, don't make it a big deal'
These voices show both how far we've come and how much work remains to make menstruation an open, stigma-free topic for the next generation.
Related: Watch a bunch of men get cramps from a period pain simulator in this viral video
How parents can normalize these conversations
Normalizing menstruation starts at home, and parents have a unique opportunity to shape how their children understand and talk about periods. Here are some practical ways to make these conversations a natural part of family life:
Be open and matter-of-fact.
Use clear language when talking about periods and menstrual products. Avoid euphemisms that can make the topic feel secretive or embarrassing.
Include boys in errands.
Take your sons along when buying period products. Let them see it's just a normal part of caring for family members.
Teach the basics early.
Explain what menstruation is, why it happens, and that it's a healthy, natural process. Starting early removes mystery and stigma.
Address myths and misconceptions.
Help kids understand the facts and dispel common misunderstandings around periods.
Keep the conversation ongoing.
Don't let this be a one-time talk. Regular, age-appropriate conversations help kids grow comfortable with the topic.
By integrating these small steps into everyday life, parents can help break down stigma, build empathy, and raise children who see menstruation as a normal part of life — not something to hide or be ashamed of.
Small actions, big shifts
A simple trip to the store—like a dad buying pads with his son—can help change how we talk about periods. These everyday moments break the silence and teach empathy, showing kids that menstruation is normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
By modeling openness, parents help raise children who respect and support one another, moving us closer to a future where periods are just part of life.
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
23 minutes ago
- Forbes
Who Are Those Fantastic SuperAgers And Why Do They Stay Healthy?
Everyone wants to stay fully independent as we age. A few people over age 80 do and they don't suffer from memory loss either. They are called 'super agers' because they do not suffer the same mental and physical declines as almost everyone else. They've been studied by researchers for decades. We do have some answers to what makes them different from everyone else. Maybe we all wish we could be super agers ourselves. What Is A Super Ager? The term describes someone over 80 with an exceptional memory — one at least as good as the memories of people who are 20 to 30 years younger. They don't get Alzheimer's disease. They think clearly and participate in many things most folks their age cannot do. As reported in AARP, those who seem to defy normal changes of aging have a few things in common. Here are some of these, also reflected in research from other reports in other places in the U.S. 1. Thicker brains We don't know if it's a hereditary thing or not but with this rare group, the part of the brain which impacts thinking, memory and decision-making is thicker in super agers — sometimes thicker even than it is in most people in their 50s and 60s. It resists shrinking. 2. Supersize memory cells in their brains. These larger than average sized particular nerve cells resist the protein deposits associated with cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. The protein plaques and tangles may be present in the brains of those super agers, seen from those who donated their brains to studies after they pass, but they do not seem to cause damage. 3. More 'social intelligence' brain cells These particular kinds of brain cell cells have been linked to social intelligence and awareness. They help facilitate rapid communication across the brain, providing an enhanced ability to navigate the outside impacts thinking, memory and decision-making. As I see it, that would suggest greater levels of independence in aging, an elusive thing most want but few over 80 actually achieve. What If You Aren't Born With That Kind Of Brain? There is plenty of research on preventing dementia to tell us that lifestyle is perhaps the most important feature of aging well, whether you are destined to be a super ager or not. Most of the super agers are very active and maintain healthy habits. One of my favorite examples is the late Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the famous sex therapist. She was a TV personality, author of numerous books and, as she used to say, a nonstop talker. Her belief was that talking exercises the brain. OK, we know some nonstop talkers who are definitely not exercising their brains so that's not all there is to keeping one's brain active. But being silent and withdrawn is certainly not helpful lifestyle clearly includes regular exercise, even walking. It doesn't take running marathons. And food choices are part of this, of course as well. Data more recently shows a link between consuming ultra processed foods (sweets, packaged snacks, etc.) and cognitive decline. The better choices, as we are often told, include fish, vegetables, fruits and whole grains, avoiding junk food and excess. Other resources emphasize the importance of social connections in aging to help ward off dementia, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. Easier said than done! And one thing the super agers who have been studied also have in common is the unwavering willingness or ability to constantly challenge themselves. The Takeaway Not everyone will have a super ager's remarkably different kind of brain structure. But everyone can see their good health habits and aim for doing what they do. They stay active in many ways, socially engaged, and everyone can make that an achievable goal.
CBS News
23 minutes ago
- CBS News
After CDC shooting, leadership vacuums and delays frustrate staff
Four days after a gunman riddled the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's main campus in Atlanta with bullets, CDC employees say they are still looking for steady leadership and clear communication. The agency's first all-hands meeting since the attack ran roughly 12 minutes, began late and was beset by technical problems, according to staff who tried to watch. In Tuesday's all-hands, new CDC Director Susan Monarez described the shooting as "an attack in our community … and in many ways the very mission that we serve." She warned that "misinformation can be dangerous … we need to rebuild the trust together," urging "rational, evidence-based discourse … with compassion and understanding." CDC security chief Jeff Williams told staff investigators view the incident as "a targeted attack on the CDC related to COVID-19." He said agency security "stopped" an intrusion that could have resulted in many more casualties, that nearly 100 children at the childcare center were reunited with parents that night, and that investigators recovered nearly 500 shell casings. More than 180 rounds struck six buildings, leaving extensive damage that will take time to repair. Monarez closed the meeting by honoring fallen DeKalb County Police Officer David Rose and pointing staff to a CDC Foundation fund for his family. In April, more than 200 staff were fired from the CDC's Injury Prevention Center. In the aftermath of Friday's shooting, several CDC employees noted the grim irony: the team charged with studying how to prevent firearm violence had been dismissed. One employee who spoke with CBS News on background, because they were not authorized to comment publicly, described Monarez's remarks as "heavily scripted." Another staffer said, "Monarez is new and doesn't know the agency, but she could have brought in career leaders … to show that she's working hand in hand with experienced CDC leaders. It feels like most of the CDC community is really trying to unify and support each other." A union message referred to the meeting, which lasted from 11:12 a.m. to 11:24 a.m., as "insultingly insufficient," and invited workers to a noon healing session. "Dr. Monarez and CDC leadership remain focused on supporting staff during an extraordinarily difficult time as evidenced by their continued direct engagement," Andrew Nixon, a spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, told CBS News. "Friday's shooting was a traumatic event for the agency, and leadership is working to provide continued updates along with resources for healing and recovery. There will be continued opportunities for staff engagement and dialogue in the days ahead." Several employees praised separate Saturday and Tuesday calls for the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, led by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, describing them as "validating," with clear next steps and mental-health resources. Monarez joined the Saturday call and "was more natural and less scripted," a staffer said. On Tuesday, Daskalakis told staff, "We've experienced a horrific and intentionally targeted attack … we're shocked, we're grieving, we're scared," and he urged teams to use the space to speak frankly. He emphasized that CDC would take "time and space before we come back," noting the investigation is "complex and ongoing." The meeting centered on mental health and resources to support traumatized staffers. Daskalakis introduced Dr. David Schonfeld of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles, who walked through common post-crisis reactions. "Most people try and hide their distress," he said, encouraging employees to seek support rather than suppress their feelings. Trying to do so, he added, "is not a superpower." Daskalakis noted reports that the suspect was angry about COVID-19 vaccines and influenced by conspiracy theories. "This is not our fault," he said. "Our work is love and what we experienced is hate." Many of the CDC's centers are currently led by acting directors, after several center directors were reassigned to the Indian Health Service earlier this year. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited the CDC's campus on Monday, three days after the attack, while most staff were instructed by leadership to telework due to safety concerns and the ongoing assessments following the shootings. On the same day that he visited the CDC, Kennedy gave an interview to Scripps News in which he once again raised questions about vaccine safety, drawing sharp criticism from some CDC staff, who argued that anti-vaccine rhetoric, including from Kennedy, helped create the conditions for the attack. HHS spokesman Andrew Nixon told CBS News, "This is a time to stand in solidarity with our public health workforce and we hope the media will respect the moment rather than exploiting a tragedy and further exacerbating an already harrowing experience by the dedicated CDC staff." White House spokesman Kush Desai said, "Violence has no place in any civil society, and the White House extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Officer David Rose and the entire CDC team."
CBS News
23 minutes ago
- CBS News
California could save $225 million yearly by ditching return-to-office mandate, audit Finds
A new audit found that the State of California could save $225 million a year by not enforcing return-to-office orders for state workers. The audit comes amid the saga for state workers and the political debate between remote versus in-person work. It found that Gov. Gavin Newsom's office "did not gather some important information about space needs and costs" before ordering employees back to the office four days a week. Assemblymember Josh Hoover requested the audit and said the findings dispute Newsom's calls for a one-size-fits-all hybrid work order. "One of the big problems is that the governor's office was not prepared for a return-to-work order," Hoover said. "I really don't think this should be a partisan issue. I think we should be doing what makes the most sense from a policy standpoint." The audit also showed that some state departments don't have the space for all their employees to return to the office four days a week after ending office leases during the pandemic. The audit shows the Department of Health Care Services would need 541 more workspaces, and the Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery needs 123 more workspaces. "He told state agencies you need to prepare for telework and implement telework, and that led to decisions where in some cases they're not set up to get employees back," Hoover said. Newsom's office issued a response disagreeing with the study, saying: "This audit on state telework is not a scientific study, nor does it paint a complete picture of the state workforce or the benefits of working in person. While we appreciate the auditor's time in collecting this information, we respectfully disagree with the auditor's findings, which are based on estimates and, as noted throughout the audit, hypothetical theories and incomplete information. However, we will take their recommendations into account as we move forward with managing the state workforce and facilities." State worker unions have protested the governor's four-day return to office orders, which are currently set to take effect in July 2026. Now, this audit is adding to the dispute. "For me, it has been a reminder that we cannot rest," Neto said. The audit recommends that the state legislature jump into this debate and create laws requiring every state department to decide which positions should be remote and in person. Assemblymember Hoover said that he hopes to introduce that legislation next year.
