AIBU to wonder how kids 6 up manage in single sex changing rooms in Iceland?

[crunchymint]

In Iceland kids aged from 6 usually have to go in the changing room in swimming pools for their sex. So 6 year old boys in the men's changing rooms. In most places there are no family rooms.
So AIBU to wonder how boys of 6 manage in Iceland when most mothers I know in Britain would say their 6 year old boy should go into the women's changing room with their mum?

Misses point of thread, picturing children changing in frozen foods supermarket...

I was wondering where the hell changing rooms were in Iceland the shop.

On point, my boys could and did change by themselves at that age. Though I wasn't far away, just small changing rooms that wouldn't fit four of us. 8 year old DD doesn't because she can go in with me. I guess if it's normal there people just do it.

My 6 year old is quite capable of dressing and drying himself so am sure I’d cope if themz the rules

By six most children can get changed before and after swimming on their own can't they? My only concern when my ds was small was that he'd get up to no good if unsupervised. In lots of countries six year olds are considered responsible enough to get themselves to school and back on their own, so a few minutes in a changing room isn't seen as a big deal - or perhaps in Iceland dads are more involved and take their son's swimming when they go too?

I don't know why so many mums of boys do it over here. The boys are surely capable of getting changed themselves.
Both my girls would go in the female changing room on their own from about 6 when their dad takes them swimming.
Dd2 is in year 2 and goes in the females to get changed, but it's so embarrassing for her that a boy from her class is also in there at the same time.no cubicles just one open space. She has to get naked to get changed. I dont think it's fair or right personally.

Turkey twislers aisle 3

I'm summary, I applaud Iceland for this, and wish we did it here.

Those are the rules at our swimming pool too (UK) . I took DS into the ladies with me until he was about 7, and a bit less of an idiot, but he was certainly changing by himself in the men's from 7. It was a very "heart in mouth" moment for a few weeks, but I think he relished the independence.

It was interesting in the Uk in the difference from swim lessons to swim club.
Swim lessons, fairly standard (if not right) to get boys up to about 10 in girls changing room.
Dd started club at 7yo, I went in to help her with her hat on the first day, and quickly realised there was no other parents or little boys in the changing room. We all wait outside.

They’re a lot less bothered in Iceland.

Kids aside, I hated stripping off, walking around and showering with a load of other naked women... so far outside my comfort zone that it’d put me off going again 😬

10 year old boys in the girls swimming room makes me aghast.
NotasGreen Yes generally you have to shower naked before going into the pool. No curtains or cubicles in sight.

DS did at 6 (had to send him back in for at least one thing every time ), changing was fine anywhere with separate showers was awful as he just zones out in a shower.
DD did at 6 if DH took them.

Notaagreen. Couldn't agree more.
I felt very uncomfortable.
I suppose if you are brought up that way it's not a problem.

Most places over here have a cut off of 7 so not much difference.

Whether parents follow those rules or not is a different matter though

I dunno I think we’re a bit OTT. A lot of the mothers seem to hover after swimming lessons unnecessarily fussing and seem to think my DS is “so independent” all he does is have a shower and get himself dressed.

It must be difficult for some DC, including with any relevant SN.

Our local leisure centre only has unisex swim changing with cubicles, and DC can change unaccompanied from age 8. Am not at all happy with that.

Also, when our leisure centre got re done it became uni sex changing rooms with loads of cubicles, which I think is better

I don’t think unisex only is good at all, for girls and womens privacy and safety.

The UK norm is 7/8 which is not far off from 6.
In the UK and on here you get hysterical mothers who won't let NT 10 year olds change in the correct changing room. I suspect that the boys would be fine if they were allowed to be as independent as their peers but it's the mums holding them back.

You can't just transplant what happens in one country into another without understanding the context. Maybe Iceland has a culture like sweden where "it takes a village to raise a child" is much more part of their culture. So if your child is in the changing room without you you know other adults are looking out for them.

My just 7yo dd can change by herself when taken swimming by her dad. Takes a while (she's a bit of a daydreamer) but she's absolutely physically capable of drying, dressing and packing her swim stuff in her bag.

@Loopytiles 🙄🙄 hysteria, you do realise that the vast majority of sexual and violent assaults committed against women by men, are by men they know, but don't worry about facts keep perpetuating the men are monsters myth

Hopefully they will have accessible facilities for those that can't. I say hopefully as some UK pools still don't.

its not boys aren't capable of getting changed or need help

its that men pose a greater risk than women - so letting your 6 year old unattended naked in a room of male strangers is quite a scary experience for a mum of a young boy. paedophiles are attracted to youth, not the sex of their victim and boys are just as likely to be victims as girls -a 6 year old can get changed, they can't necessarily assess risk that well.

as bikerunski says its a 'heat in mouth' moment and I imagine a lot of mums fuss/make out their boys need their help for as long as possible to avoid them being in the mens alone.

the uk is quite paedophile aware after operation yew tree and lots of press.