At What Age Do You Think Appropriate

[phleb]

for school children to 'not' have to change for P.E in front of the opposite sex?
Do you think schools should have changing rooms?

[Zacs-Master]

7

[pixie373]

Younger even. Primary school children feel uncomfortable with it.

[pusskin]

Maybe as young as 6?

[Clanad]

What an odd question viewed from the perspective of living in the U.S. No child is permitted, encouraged, or allowed to change clothes in front of the opposite sex at any age in school. I've re-read the question several times to assure I'm interpreting it correctly and still can't comprehend a school system that doesn't have changing rooms… Obviously I'm missing something… either that or I've miscalculated my admiration for the clear headed customs of Mother England!

[rockyracoon]

You've miscalculated Clanad. In the younger primary years, most kids just change into their PE kits in the classroom, my daughter always hated it, struggling to pull shorts on under her skirt.

[Daffy6543]

My son's primary school used to have the boys and girls change separately from year 4. Girls stayed in the classroom and boys went to library area.

[woofgang]

I am now in my 60's and can remember when I was in primary school, even then we changed separately if changing was needed. There were no changing rooms or TA's which made it more complicated Playground games or PT were usually done without changing apart from maybe changing shoes. Thinking back, many of the kids who went to my school would have been too poor to have special clothes for PE.

[stuey]

I agree with my downstairs neighbour on this one. Children should not be changing clothes in the presence of the opposite sex at any age outside their own home.

[vulcan42]

Every school I attended and every one in the areas I've lived in had segregated changing rooms, except for the Grammar school which was boys only. The areas are fairly widespread too as they cover N Ireland, the South, Midlands and north of England.

[Daffy6543]

I attended a different primary school every school year (sometimes more than one a year), without fail they all required getting changed for PE in the classroom. My high-school had segregated changing rooms with showers in each.
My kids have attended a few different primary schools, they also had to change in the classrooms or in the library areas once segregated.

[EDDIE51]

We had to change in the classroom in primary school, no changing rooms until secondary school at 12.
Then we were 55 to a class with one teacher and had to sit 2 to a desk made for one,there were classes in corridors, cloakrooms, and in summer outdoors!
Ah the joys of a 1954 'baby boomer' school !

[jourdain2]

Until leaving Primary School we all changed in the classroom in the late '50s.
In the very early '90s I taught for a year at a Prep. School and 9-yr olds (the oldest) all changed in the classroom, too. No problem. Perhaps 9 is about the top age these days.

[Prudie]

I tend to agree that not at all these days, children should have separate areas to change in from the very start of school. In the past it was deemed OK but children are so much more aware of sexuality from a far younger age. No longer acceptable although I certainly did at primary.

[EDDIE51]

My school was so overcrowded that when my class moved into the hall for PE another class moved in our room for a lesson !

[phleb]

I asked this question because unfortunately my 10 year old came home and told me she was uncomfortable getting changed in the class room in front of boys.

I didn't know they got changed in the class room in that year, in primary school they did, but even my 7 year old says its difficult keeping herself covered while changing, i was appalled. I had changing rooms in my school and got changed without boys present. Children as young as 4 are much more aware of things these days. Girls start puberty quite young, and i cannot understand how the school can do this without thought!.

I am going in to speak to the headteacher on Monday, and i will strongly put my point across.

Thank you for your opinions, i am stressed out about this and why i didn't notice before, i feel i somehow have neglected my duty of being a responsible mum. I am so glad my 10 year old told me.

[pixie373]

She told you, you listened. That is not irresponsible.

[DTCwordfan]

Separate....

asking for trouble to have them in the same room

Yes.

[SIRandyraven]

I remember at the age of 11 at school,where the boys got changed in the classroom in Junior school and the girls in a area lobby where you put coats and shoes etc. They had a curtain up to protect modesty.
But even this was not perfect because I was one of the boys caught trying to peep under the curtain and getting slippered for it.
Reason why I remember the changing arrangements.

[SIRandyraven]

This would have been about 1971.

[GreenDayGirl]

In my primary even in year six boys and girls got changed together. My friends and I his behind and underneath tables in an attempt to get some privacy. It was so awkward. And in years six all the girls had developed and it was just so embarrassing. I believe as soon as your in key stage 2 some effort should be made for privacy for both genders. Even in high school girl change together and I find it embarrassing.