Teenager bikini at swimming lessons. AIBU?

[ShameSames]

I was totally shocked to see a child wearing a thong bikini at the swimming pool during my child’s swimming lesson today. She looked to be a young teen, maybe 13. I’m a person who tries to never judge, and of course I wouldn’t ever want to judge a child. I also understand parents may have less control over their children at that age. It just seemed completely inappropriate. Is this what teens wear these days? Maybe I’m just completely out of touch!

I think most teenagers shop on fast fashion websites (boohoo, PYT etc) and that’s primarily the styles they sell. If it’s ’fashionable’ they want it. I’m guessing they weren’t with their parents? They’re probably fully unaware. I don’t think it’s appropriate at all, but it’s very likely the parents have no idea.

I did wonder this… I’d like to think a parent would intervene, so I’m hopeful that they didn’t realise.

The child was also in a swimming lesson.

I’m surprised they were allowed 2 piece in a lesson. My pool insisted boys wore speedo type, and girls one piece.

I was shocked too. Maybe the teacher didn’t want to turn the child away.

when my DCs had swiming lessons, it was strictly sporty-type one piece swimsuits only.

Thong bikinis aren't appropriate for a 13 year old, let alone one that's participating in a swimming lesson. It's way too much flesh on display, for all and sundry to see. Thong bikinis should be for adults, not children. No matter how grown up a 13 year old might believe she is, the reality will be very different.

This is the first time I’ve seen a child in a 2 piece to be fair. I suppose the teacher might have told her not to wear it next time.

Totally inappropriate, on holiday my dds, 13 &12 weat tankinis/bikinis, but definitely not thong ones, but in the UK, in the baths, they'd wear actual proper swimming costumes.

I mean you could contact the leisure centre/swim school to check their policy on swimwear and suggest sending a reminder regarding lessons what they consider appropriate swimwear.

A bikini, I wouldn’t care about but a thong bikini, on a child, in a swimming lesson… yea it’s not great.

Wtf! Totally inappropriate for a child to wear a thong in public, in the swimming pool or otherwise.

like others when our dc were in swimming lessons they had to wear one piece (girls) and above the knee shorts (boys).
Not sure if they’d have been turned away if not in the correct attire but I never saw anyone in the wrong swimmers so I’ll never know.

As a 9yr old I dived off the board at school and my bikini bottoms rolled down. They aren’t suitable for serious swimming.

Slightly different but I was shocked to see a bunch of teens wearing thong bikinis in Spain. They were native girls staying at our hotel on a sporting event. At a guess is say they were girls between the ages of 14-16. I assume Europeans are more liberal than us.

Regardless, I wouldn't allow my teen daughter to wear a thong on the beach, in a hotel swimming pool, or anywhere else!

As a man in his 50s I've actually left a council swimming pool because of a girl of a similar age wearing a bikini that covered next to nothing. I grew up surrounded by dockers and prostitutes and am not a prude but felt really uncomfortable with her in the pool. So I got out...in reflection I should have said something to the front desk about it

There is a woman in the adult lesson which runs at the same time as the childrens' lessons at our pool who wears a bikini. Not thong but it's worn pulled into her bum. Not what I'd wear to swim in, but it doesn't affect me at all. All the children who are waiting in the area for the lessons, are at face height with her bum cheeks though! You can see them sniggering.

I wear a bikini, more comfortable for those of us with more up top, but it’s a full coverage under wired top and full briefs!

Different situation as it presume wasn't a children's swimming lesson? It can't be that hard to avert your gaze surely?!

Not saying it's appropriate but I'd rather children learn to swim than didn't. Many families rely on hand me downs etc from other families.

Also not sure why growing up with "prostitutes" would cross your mind when a young girl is being discussed.

I have no issue with sensible bikinis but I would draw the line at thongs

There is nothing wrong with a bikini, if boys can show their stomachs then so can girls…
Loads of kids wear them at lessons.

But a thong isn’t really needed! And I’d make sure my teen was wearing proper bikini bottoms

He’s saying it to make it clear he’s not a prude, I think - as in he’s “seen some stuff” but was shocked by her inappropriate attire. TBH I’m not surprised he got out. He could have completely inadvertently caught her eye or whatever and been accused of leering/letching. I’d hate to be a middle aged bloke right now.

I think, on balance, women and girls hate being policed by their clothing/actions/whatever it may be more than men hate a small possibility of being accused of something.

Hand me down thong bikini bottoms ?