Introduction
Politics should not adversely affect school bathroom use or who identifies as what. First and foremost, the safety of our children should be the number one goal, not making someone happy. Transgender is a complicated medical issue, and politicians should not bring policies about that into our elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools. While those who identify as transgender have rights too, schools should regulate the use of bathrooms because it can affect how comfortable the children are using the bathroom; their privacy and safety are infringed on as well and just because someone identifies as transgender does not mean they are.
Washroom Matrix
Schools should establish a secure environment for all children using the facilities. In the US, “too many children avoid using toilets out of concern that another student would mistreat or hurt them, emotionally or physically,” according to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) (Price-Feeney et al. 1142). The topic of why transgender pupils cannot simply utilize private rooms designated for such gender identification, given that individuals who identify as boys and girls have their washrooms, is at the heart of the discussion over implementing gender-neutral restrooms in schools (Price-Feeney et al. 1142). However, accepting transgender pupils in schools is becoming more and more difficult, and forcing them to utilize private facilities fosters stigmatization and other prejudice.
When such individuals are identified, it is simple to segregate these pupils from the other students and let bullying occur, emphasizing the lack of safety for the impacted individuals. Gender-neutral restrooms should be permitted in schools to encourage inclusion and prevent transgender pupils from feeling alone. This would increase their safety. However, opponents of gender-neutral restrooms in schools might refute the abovementioned point by asserting that other children who identify with a certain gender may feel awkward using the restroom with others who do not share that gender (Price-Feeney et al. 1143). As a result, although such restrooms establish safe spaces for transgender kids, such areas also become hazardous for other students. For instance, some students might worry that they could view another student’s privates, especially if they are of the opposite sex. While these worries are valid, schools might establish explicit rules and regulations on the types of conduct permissible in restrooms.
Most students often worry about their private parts being revealed to their peers; thus, they go to great lengths to prevent this from happening. In any educational setting, “expectations for all students should also include a rule against leering at another student or making derogatory remarks about another student’s physique,” according to NAIS (Price-Feeney et al. 1144). As a result, the problem of upsetting other kids might be resolved by establishing school standards about acceptable behavior in restrooms. In addition, gender-neutral restrooms fully handle the issue of gender-based discrimination, which is a very delicate subject in the current world. While it may seem reasonable and sensible for schools to advise transgender children to use private restrooms, doing so solidifies the idea of gender-based discrimination. Separating transgender pupils from the rest of their peers would be discriminatory since it would imply that their gender identity is incorrect or untrue.
Since the individuals who are meant to be caring for the children, the school administration is sending such a pernicious message, it has terrible effects on the student’s sense of self, such as low self-worth and self-esteem. As a result, some transgender students will decide not to utilize such private rooms out of concern for the negative effects of this behavior. Therefore, it is sufficient to claim that introducing gender-neutral bathrooms in schools is necessary to combat prejudice based on gender. As mentioned above, the argument might be refuted by claiming that some students are cheeky and would pose as transgender to peep at the opposite gender. For instance, males might pose as transgender people to enter bathrooms reserved for females. Evidence from other schools, however, indicates that it is improbable that kids would claim a bogus gender identity only to use such facilities. None of the 17 public school districts that collectively serve more than 600,000 children and have such inclusive policies reported any such situations (Price-Feeney et al. 1145).
The statistics indicate that it is unlikely that students will enter gender-neutral restrooms to glance at the other sex. To maintain privacy and discipline, schools also have regulations that govern how students interact with one another. Therefore, having gender-neutral restrooms has nothing to do with the issue of certain kids being naughty; it is a component of administrative oversight and the overall discipline environment. Finally, gender-neutral restrooms support children’s overall health and success in the classroom. If transgender students are required to utilize private rooms, some may choose not to use them, endangering their health (Price-Feeney et al. 1145). When the bladder is full, it should normally be evacuated; otherwise, dangerous germs may build up and cause an infection.
In addition to the physiological impacts of UTIs brought on by failing to clear the bladder, afflicted pupils’ mental health is also impacted. The degree of prejudice encountered by transgender kids, particularly throughout adolescence when pupils are in secondary schools, significantly affects their ability to learn. Due to ongoing illnesses and stigmatization, the afflicted pupils will not be in a good mental state to concentrate on their schoolwork due to the lack of gender-neutral restrooms (Price-Feeney et al. 1147). Therefore, school administrators must think about the introduction of gender-neutral restrooms and provide support for transgender students to perform at their best and maintain excellent health. It is unfair to fail to offer safe spaces for transgender kids to ensure the comfort of their straight counterparts. Gender-neutral restrooms should be implemented in all schools in the spirit of justice and equality in treating diverse student populations (Price-Feeney et al. 1147). Perhaps the layout can be adjusted to provide transgender pupils with the maximum amount of privacy.
Conclusion
The variety of pupils in today’s classrooms is constantly growing. As a result, schools should be able to develop regulations that cater to the specific requirements of each student, regardless of their gender, culture, or religious beliefs. Gender-neutral restrooms in schools have generated debate. However, as demonstrated in the research, it is evident that these amenities ought to be implemented in every school for various reasons. Students who identify as transgender will be able to learn in a supportive atmosphere free from discrimination and stigma. Furthermore, gender-neutral restrooms will make transgender pupils feel safe in school settings. This study demonstrates the weakness of the many objections that may be raised against the support for these facilities. The addition of gender-neutral restrooms does not signify the elimination of other restrooms reserved for boys and girls. Due to the safety, health, and academic performance of transgender children, as well as the elimination of gender-based discrimination, gender-neutral restrooms should be permitted in schools, according to the reasons made in this essay.
Work Cited
Price-Feeney, Myeshia, et al. “Impact of Bathroom Discrimination on Mental Health among Transgender and Nonbinary Youth.” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 68, no. 6, 2021, pp. 1142–1147.