Physician is told to heel himself
Dear Amy: I am a physician and a widower. Most importantly, I'm the father of a brilliant and deeply inquisitive 12-year-old girl.
I have raised my daughter (by myself) since she was six months old. We are very close.
I noticed signs that she would soon be experiencing puberty, and I knew she would have lots of questions. I had a series of talks with her about things like hormones, body changes, romantic relationships and safe sex.
Before I started each of these conversations I told her that if she was uncomfortable talking to her dad about this, I would be happy to arrange it so she could talk to her doctor (who is a woman), or any other of the wonderful women I have worked hard to have in her life.
My daughter told me she would rather talk to me about these personal things.
I got a call from my daughter's health teacher at her school, furious that I had "dared" to discuss menstrual products with my child.
The teacher called it "tantamount to child abuse," that a male person (even a father) had discussed these things with a 12-year-old.
Amy, I know the information I gave my girl was correct, and I gave it to her in as objective, non-sensational and supportive way as I could.
Was I out of line here? Should I have left this conversation to my daughter's pediatrician?
-- Worried Widower
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