To be upset that toilets at primary school turned mixed sex without being told

[Whatonearthisgoingonhere]

Aibu to be a bit upset and discombobulated to have learnt that the toilets at my child's primary school have been mixed sex for some time now. This seems like a significant change to have happened without consulting or letting parents know. Is there anything I can do about this? Do I just need to get over it and accept that this is the world now? My child has said they much prefer the way it used to be.

Has anyone challenged this with any success?

It could be made a requirement for school attendance.

DD10 would flat out refuse to use mixed sex toilets at school!

Seems an extreme length to go to rather than I dunno, acknowledging the 2 sexes have different needs and providing separate spaces that accommodate those needs.

What benefit is it to girls to share with boys?

Its apparently beneficial to boys so they learn about periods. What do girls get out of it?

That’s shocking. Sadly many schools seem to be in a push to do this even though it is miserable for most kids esp girls and unlawful.

The School Premises Regulations 2012 reg 4 is very clear. Single sex from the age of 8 unless a proper unisex room (the accessible type with handwash). Do not let them fob you off by pretending a cubicle is actually a room - a cubicle is a cubicle and not a room.

Boys and girls are separated at that age for good reasons. Girls start getting their periods and both sexes start becoming aware if their physical differences. Mixed sex cubicles teaches the children that their personal boundaries for privacy from the opposite sex will not be respected. It is the antithesis of the boundaries and consent taught in PSHE.

I am horrified that schools are doing this to kids. Police can’t prosecute more than 1.4% of all rapes, there are 200+ rapes reported each year in schools and yet they deliberately erode boundaries and remove safeguarding.

Shockingly, in my town a council run school just had to close down after a four year old little girl was sexually assaulted by a six year old boy in mixed sex toilets. It happened about 2 years ago now. Almost every parent removed their child (unsurprisingly) so the council shut the school

Having worked in KS1 for 20 years, the boys' toilets are covered in piss by 10.00 unless strictly checked. Eg, one in and out, then checked. Impossible if only one adult!Seats, floor, walls, you name it! Wherever they can aim is fair game. Anywhere but the urinals. The stench is awful and not fair on girls who have to sit down.

Teaching boys (and girls) about gender stereotypes, sex differences (including periods) and how to differentiate between the two, puberty, how to hold and respect boundaries...
These things should be taught at a young age.
Personally I found it a huge benefit as a child to share with boys and girls (bedrooms, tents, toilets though not cubicles) because it meant I grew up seeing us as equals and human, rather than othering the opposite sex.

But girls do share. They share classes and . They share activities etc

But they should not be forced to share spaces when they are vulnerable such as when they are removing layers if clothing to use a toilet.

We have not eliminated all the harm boys and men can cause to women and girls. So why should girls be put at risk so parents can pay themselves on the back at sone false idea of " equality "

Statistically there is a rape a day IN SCHOOLS. Including primary schools.

In Primary my daughter was in a class of 7, Autism unit, one other girl besides her, both started to develop breasts at 8. Even though the class were taught together about puberty it did not stop those two girls getting comments. So much so neither would use the legal mixed toilet. The comments were always challenged by teachers.

By 9 the other girl was having periods and she ended up out of school during that time as she came to terms with the changes. My daughter eventually started periods at 11. She still refuses to use the toilet and is uncomfortable around any male.

some children may be okay in mixed facilities but not all are, is it not kinder to provide a choice so children can be comfortable and feel heard, building confidence, rather than grow afraid or anxious?

For hygiene reasons alone I would be extremely unhappy about this, I would not want my daughter sitting on urine boys spread every where.