Diapers and Bed-Wetting: Stigma and Ways to Reduce It

<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->

  One of the most difficult things a youngster can go through when they're growing up is bed-wetting. Although as a society we've become more sensitive about many issues, for some reason bed-wetting and the use of diapers to manage it is a topic that remains shrouded in shame. While many cases of bed-wetting can be cured using alarms,medicines,and other methods, there are some instances of bed-wetting persisting into adulthood. In situations such as these, the prudent course of action would be to use protective garments such as diapers. This article discusses both the negative image diapers have with many people, and steps we can take to overcome this stereotype so society can become more accepting of people who have no other option but to use diapers to manage their bed-wetting.

  Many people believe that diapers should only be used on babies,people with severe developmental disabilities,or people who are bedridden or senile(such as people with Alzheimer's disease) By default this underscores the image diapers have of representing helplessness and lack of independence. Most of the public feel that if your cognitive and/or physical abilities aren't at the level of a baby or small child you have no business wearing diapers.

  There are different levels and types of incontinence and these can occur during the day,night,or both. Some people have light incontinence and some people experience heavier levels. With that in mind different garments are more suited to certain kinds of incontinence.

  Whenever I read an ad for an incontinence garment especially those products that are called “underwear like” by the manufacturer and the ad says something along these lines “makes the wearer feel more dignified” I cringe. Don't misunderstand me,I'm not against people using these types of products,and they do work for some people, but there are also plenty of cases where the best choice are good old fashioned diapers. Diapers are designed specifically for incontinence,underwear is not,but because adults and older children are so skittish about wearing diapers these items are the ones that are marketed for this demographic. In certain situations however, people are using a hammer to put in a screw. In this case they're not using the tool for what it was designed to do. Just like a carpenter or woodworker uses certain kinds of saws to make certain types of cuts,people should use the most appropriate and effective garment to manage their incontinence and since people have different types of incontinence their choice of what garments to wear will be different. What sort of garment to choose is dependent on a number of factors-type and level of incontinence,whether it occurs during the day,night,or both,personal preferences,how comfortable the product is,price,whether the person is concerned about maintaining discretion,if they have the time and inclination to wash reusable garments,how certain products effect the wearer's skin,etc.