Post #4602054 · Elektrine

2026-08-25 19:31 UTC

We make kids do a lot of things they don’t want to do, because we know it’s good for them, and we know it’s just irrational fear that stops them. Why is this any different? Here’s one: public speaking. That caused much more anxiety than changing for P.E. for a lot of kids.

Replies (1)

@WoodScientist@lemmy.world 2026-08-25 20:04

10-20% of the population is LGBT in some manner. The idea of forcing kids to change in front of each other comes from a world where we had not problem assuming everyone was straight. That’s why it was no big deal for boys to see other boys naked and girls to see other girls naked. But it’s not 1950 anymore. And just like traditionally we wouldn’t force girls to change in front of guys, we shouldn’t force kids to change in front of other kids they might be attracted to or those who may have attraction to them. Plus the gendered changing rooms cause all sorts of issues for trans kids. It’s a whole lot of headache for very little benefit. Putting kids through that much trauma just isn’t worth it because, in the abstract, it might be ideal if kids were more comfortable with their bodies. “Force all the kids to get naked around each other” only works if you ignore the 20% of kids that aren’t straight or cis.

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