Behind the Stall Door: A Shameful Pooping Culture
Let it Go
We learn from a very young age how to talk and think about poop based on the culture and social norms in which we are raised. In contemporary "Western" culture, this can inhibit us or make poop and toilets an uncomfortable subject to discuss.
In this country, there are around 5 million children experiencing chronic constipation. This constipation can be caused by both physical and psychological issues. By affirming your child that pooping is positive, this issue can be combatted. Do you have a body? Does that body consume? Does it Poop? Of course! In the wise words of Dr. Tom DuHamel, “t’s important for kids to understand that poop is something that every living creature does and it’s important for kids to understand that poop is nothing more than what’s leftover of our food once our body takes out all the good things.”
According to Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, signs of chronic constipation include having stool accidents, irregular stools, stools that are difficult to pass, painful bowel movements, and the avoidance or refusal to have bowel movements. Treatment at the John Hopkins Chronic Constipation Clinic consists of both medical and behavioral aspects, including family education and a diet modification plan. To learn more about how constipation can be treated, check out the article here.
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