Teen pregnancy, debt, and struggling to find a job are all big issues in the world, leading many people to being homeless and leaving them unable to afford baby and female products. Baby and female products should always be free. Homeless people and people who struggle with money need to take care of themselves and their kids. Baby formula and diapers are expensive and some people can’t afford them for their babies. In an article, Healthline stated that about 1 of 3 families in the US cannot afford diapers for their babies. They also discussed if the baby is sitting for too long in their dirty diaper they could get a diaper rash, which can cause uncomfortableness and skin breakdown. The skin breakdown can later lead to bacterial infection of the skin. One skin infection is a urinary tract infection, also known as a UTI. All just from babies sitting in their diapers for a long period of time.

Not only is this a problem with diapers, but also with baby formula. Most parents can agree that baby formula is pricey, going up to $821.25-$2,920 in your baby’s first year, states SmartAsset. In an article that Today’s Parent wrote, they describe many ways in which some females cannot produce breast milk. Polycystic ovary syndrome  (PCOS), thyroid irregularities, diabetes, high blood pressure, and hormonal problems may cause women to be unable to produce milk. Imagine having one of these problems while being homeless, all while just trying to feed your child. Giving baby formula away for free would be extremely helpful and is necessary for women and parents struggling with money and/or milk production.

Female products come out cheaper, but can still be hard to afford when you’re homeless. Although many schools have started to give out feminine products for free, such as pads and tampons, many people at home don’t have access to these products due to poverty. There are millions and millions of young girls and older women all over the world who struggle with periods. Many people wonder if there is an effect of wearing a pad or tampon for too long, and there is! Healthline stated in one of their articles how toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and yeast infection are both connected to wearing your pad for too long. Not only are periods a big deal even when you have enough feminine products, but those who don’t have easy access can have poor hygiene which can later cause lice, scabies, ringworm and/or pinworms, and reproductive and urinary tract infections which can later result in birth complications. In another Healthline article, they discussed how people are so quick to pass poor hygiene off as laziness, while the cause may simply be a lack of money. Even mental health can link to poor hygiene and poverty, mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, and even Alzheimer’s. Many of these causes can lead to people not having the motivation needed in order to work, but most people like to label it as “laziness.” Many people suffer from PTSD and other mental health conditions mentioned, leading to poverty and poor living habits. Those same people need the products to take care of themselves. Not only is it hard for them to get up and work but it’s even harder for them to get out of bed and take care of themselves or even their own child.

Although most people think this is a great idea and that baby and female products should be free, there are obviously going to be people who think that it’s not such a great idea. They fear most of the products will be out of stock since there might be people who may take more of the products than actually needed. Stores can store extra in the back where people won’t be able to get access to them unless they ask a worker. I also don’t think it’s fair if most people would take six or more packs of products; there should definitely be a limit of one to three packs. There could also be a visible sign which states the limit and why. There’s no need for people to make nasty comments about whether or not someone can offer products for themselves and/or their baby. Poverty, mental health, and many other reasons are why baby and female products should be free.