Women only swimming stopped

[Nickynackynoodle]

Because of a complaint. Article and petition link here

Fine, chuck in men only sessions too, whatever but why cancel the women's session?

www.zestcommunity.co.uk/timetables/pool-timetable

Men over 18 only. Tuesday night 20.15- 21.15.

Lass - the swimming pool near me offers muslim women only swim and gym session. This is the only opportunity that these women will get to have a swim or work out. You would seriously cancel that just because you don't agree with their religion?

Yes I would. I see no reason whatsoever for it to be Muslim women only. Women only fine- not an issue.


If there is demand and need for it, I don't see any reasons whatsoever not to have men only swimming.
But that isn't the issue here is it?

It's not muslim women only but it's called that, any woman could go. But it's absolutely packed with a line down the street so you probably wouldn't want to.

noblegiraffe

I completely agree. Some bloody man is annoyed. That's why this is not an issue of the benefits or not of an imaginary future proliferation of segregation, or whether men with body issues should have a man only swim.

The point is, this would never have arisen had it not been for gender politics. It's immaterial what the identity of the complainant was, the fact that his complaint has been taken seriously is a result of gender politics and the worry that women only services/spaces are exclusionary.

Whether you think the entire issue is a backlash against women, or a natural extension of progressive policies, women are disadvantaged by it more than men. And this is an example.

Datun is spot on.

Signed

Yep "Check your privilege" me too rebel

I'm in Ireland.. we have women only swim classes and men only swim classes. It's always been this way. Once boys and girls reach puberty then the classes are split.

A pp said a woman who has been abused has to mix with men "on the tube, bus, restaurants" I'm paraphrasing.
Funnily enough when I use public transport or eat out I'm fully clothed! not in a swim suit when I might feel more vulnerable ffs

It's not muslim women only but it's called that, any woman could go. But it's absolutely packed with a line down the street so you probably wouldn't want to

Noted. I would not support Muslim ( or any other religion )women only sessions.

Google actually shows men only sessions are not the hen's teeth some are suggesting.

There seems to various reasons ranging from the ability to power swim ( fair enough) nude swimming (fair enough) and men for cultural reasons who don't want to swim with women.

Yes, I'm not sure that those women who choose not to be semi naked in front of strange men feel privileged by that desire.

Ok I get you Lass. There is a need for it, but I can understand you don't agree with council facilities being divvied up on basis of religion.

Lass

It would be interesting to see how successful a woman would be if she suggested those men's sessions were shut down.

I just can't get the same picture of an outraged woman, in the same way I do of an outraged man.

Funny though how a lot of this thread now is "what about the men", why they need the same,how much demand there is,what their reasons are etc.

Equality is not about having exactly the same thing for all people, it is equality of opportunity.

If enough women are put off from swimming by mixed sex sessions, due to issues of safety, dignity and privacy, than women are lacking the opportunity to swim and it's totally appropriate to offer single sex sessions.

If there are men that feel the same (which there are), then they should petition for men only sessions (which in some areas they have).

Taking sessions from women is spite, there is no justification for it.

If women are stuck at home with no access to English classes, or a doctor or dentist, or contact with the outside world I have no problem with offering appropriate classes and events for them. Change is a gradual process.
I dont see how men only swim sessions for men who wont culturally swim with women is any different from women only sessions for the same or other reasons. They are not rare and they are not under attack from anyone, least of all women.

Signed.

It's fucking outrageous that whenever we want to protect ourselves, males always have to throw a hissy fit and make it all about themselves.

Not to mention that one hour a week is nowhere near enough - what if someone can't make that hour? What are they supposed to do then?

Can we get Gentlemen's(only) Clubs shut down on the same premise?

I dont see how men only swim sessions for men who wont culturally swim with women is any different from women only sessions for the same or other reasons. They are not rare and they are not under attack from anyone, least of all women

Googling "men only swimming sessions" actually brought up a fair number of articles objecting to these being provided for cultural reasons and there were women objecting.

I am a swimmer and I attend women's only sessions and general lane swimming. I get a MUCH better workout at the women's only session. Men, whether they mean to or not, dominate the space in the general lane swimming. They go much faster and splash around a lot more, they also don't cede space very well. I end up in the slow lane getting annoyed with the old dears who are going at a snails pace. In the Ladies Only session I am in the fast lane doing a brisk pace. Not having women's only sessions is a barrier to women accessing sport, the participation levels of women in sport is woeful and this will deter more women. Signed.

I agree with Which about male swimming pool fascists swimmers. Women can be arseholes too of course but most of the unpleasant behaviour, lack of consideration and general sense of entitlement I see in the pool comes from men.
And that's a really good point about barriers to women accessing sport.
I have signed the petition.

There should be single sex sessions for both men and women.

Then why don't you contact your local swimming baths about it then?

Now, back on topic.

"If there is demand and need for it, I don't see any reasons whatsoever not to have men only swimming.
But that isn't the issue here is it?"

Funny point. Many always complain "we don't have it why should they". But when they have the chance, they never do take it, because they don't really want it. They just don't want women to have it.

airobnb is this not a form of segregation.
It would only really be segregated if it was enforced. It isn't though. The majority of people who want to are still able to swim in mixed sex sessions. Women/men only sessions are an option for those who want them. It's just a choice.
My pool offers over 55 sessions. I'm over 55 but I don't choose to swim in those sessions and nor am I forced to. It's just answering demand. Pools need to earn money and if women only sessions are financially viable then the pools should be allowed to run them.

"It would be interesting to see how successful a woman would be if she suggested those men's sessions were shut down.

I just can't get the same picture of an outraged woman, in the same way I do of an outraged man."

No, rather than seeing how successful she would be I would love to see the reaction of the men. "How dare she, women get everything thrown at them, the one time we want to have something for us they take it away, the real sexism is against men...yadda yadda yadda".