Council to ban kids over 8 from using opposite sex toilets!!! Sign this petition!!!

[Weemee]

Hi,

Glasgow City Council are proposing to change the parks management rules...I think in reaction to the problems had in the past with social media organised events. However, they are proposing (amongst other things):
-Children over the age of 8 may not use opposite sex toilets;
-that nurseries/ schools may not take children to the park without written permission from the director at the parks dept. and only once a charge has been paid;
-No congregation of more than 20 people without permission;
-No playing group sports (an intended legacy of a commonwealth games city?!?)
-No music;


There's a petition doing the rounds and an email to tell the council what we think. Seems to me a pretty heavy handed reaction to an incident from 3 years ago.....and one which will negatively impact upon everyone. Many inner city nurseries use the parks as many have little/ no outside space. It's not exactly promoting a health lifestyle either! Not the best legacy for a commonwealth games city!

If you agree this proposal is not what's needed there's an email address to the council directly and a petition here
Thanks for reading!

[Bowlersarm]

But 9+ year olds shouldn't be using opposite sex toilets should they?

[Tobagostreet]

No issue with kids of 8yrs using the appropriate sex toilets (contrary to popular belief there are not predators waiting in every toilet for a lone 9 yr old - particularly when their parent is waiting outside for them).

Poor show about the schools and nurseries, that needs to be looked at.

Great news about dogs using the parks either at heel or on a lead - if only GCC had the staff to police it .

[Weemee]

Honestly thought that that might help stir up some interest into the other aspects of the proposal. Everyone will have their own thoughts. DD's are only 10 months and 3 y.o so I don't know what I will think when they are 8!

[dayshiftdoris]

Oh FFS Bowlersarm....

Shall I summarise the million posts that will follow:

What if you:

Have a child of the opposite sex and are not happy to let them go in alone?
Have a child with additional needs who CAN NOT go in alone but who won't use a disabled toilet as 'not disabled'?
Are not happy with the area / people using the loo?
Do not feel that your 9yr old CHILD is a risk to girls in a toilet
Would actually like to decide for yourself when your child is ready to go to the toilet alone and not have it dictated to you

[ShatnersBassoon]

I think it's perfectly reasonable for children aged 9+ to use the appropriate toilet. I don't want big boys adding to the queues in the women's toilets.

[Bowlersarm]

I don't entire agree with you, dayshiftdoris, about that. FFS or not.

Agree with, Tobagostreet, nurseries/school thing is daft.

[ShatnersBassoon]

It's so obvious that children with additional needs would be exempt it doesn't need saying.

[Bowlersarm]

Agree Shatners.

[BohemianGirl]

Do link the proper bits you are wound up about rather than paraphrasing

• toilets - its gives all the what if exclusions such as disabilities
• nursery trips come under using the park for financial gain
• 20 people comes under events organisation
• groups sports - events again
• music - comes under radio - there will be a whole gamut of legislation regarding broadcasts.

It isnt designed to prevent a couple of kids having a kick about, it's designed to stop ad hoc organised tournaments. Agree with the nursery school thing - presumably people are paying for the nursery school? and the school is availing its self of park premises for free? Quite right they should pay for the use seeing as they are charging parents.

I notice you arent complaining the air cadets are banned from military drill practice, that you cant have a BBQ and get pissed in public. But what I think is a real shame is that you cant take you jam jar and net and catch tiddlers in the streams.

[Weemee]

Have to disagree with your points Bohemian....the thing is that most of the schools and nurseries have little/ no outside space being that they are based in a city and I don't believe that they are using if for financial gain but for educational and health purposes. The nursery does contribute to the council via rates.

As far as I am concerned the parks are there for everyone to enjoy and use- I understand the need to prevent large unauthorised group events but I don't think that's what they are doing. AFAIAC the air cadets can do their drill practice, BBQ's would not be banned under the proposals and drinking in public spaces is already banned in Glasgow and has been for many years.

[dayshiftdoris]

The FFS was the opposite gender toilet / changing rooms once 8 debate that is often seen on this board...

There are always people who can not see the issue with sending vulnerable children into a toilet or changing room without an adult who can keep them safe just because of their age and what body part they have in their undies...

But then I figure they have probably never heard their child screaming, marched into a boys changing room (risking prosecution!) to find them being whipped with towels by four other children and crying hysterically

Laws and rules that prevent parents from making judgements so to keep their children safe are a bad idea.

My son is 9yr and can not use a public toilet alone without support because his ASD makes him extremely vulnerable...

I don't expect anyone give a shit but I don't particular want to risk prosecution whilst I keep him safe

[ShatnersBassoon]

Everyone is in agreement that children with additional needs are exempt from having to abide by many rules and social norms. I'm not sure who you're getting cross with, dayshiftdoris.

[Daykin]

When I was a kid gangs of teen and pre-teen boys would hang about in the park toilets meaning that they were basically unusable for girls. I imagine the legislation is to do with that rather than a 9yo boy with ASD with his mum.

[EllenJanesthickerknickers]

Children with additional needs are not usually exempt from blanket policies like this, I'm afraid. Otherwise over 8s in the correct sex toilets is fine by me.

The ban on nurseries/schools without permission is madness.

Every summer our primary school organised informal meet ups in the park. Well over 20 people would turn up. What exactly would be bad about that?

Surely most parks have an open space for ball games, etc. So kids can't cricket or football now?

[mrsjay]

is this the same park that is also banning professional dog walkers It is bonkers the whole thing, a public park that the public can't use I will sign the petition,

[PatrickStarisabadbellend]

A few years ago a 13 year old boy was raped in the service station toilets near where I live.
My children go with me.

[Daykin]

My son was assaulted in public toilets last summer when we were on holiday. It wasn't bad but he was frightened (he was whipped with a towel and the boy said "I'm going to fucking rape your ass'). I was outside, waiting, as were the other boys parents. I don't know what the solution is but as the other boy was only 11 I don't think sending boys into the girls toilets to whip and threaten rape to my daughters is it.
I have also been sexually assaulted in public toilets, but that boy was a much older teen, maybe even 19 or 20 so not really relevant.

[Bowlersarm]

Patrick are you really saying that 13 year old boys should be able to use ladies toilets?

[SundaySimmons]

Due to my phobia of using public toilets I raised my children to only use them as a last resort!

When they were babies I had to use the nappy changing room and as they got older I made sure they never touched anything inside the loos and from then on they only used public very rarely.

As a result we all have bladders of steel and can wait until we get home to use the toilet.

I think the rule should apply to unsupervised children. God forbid I ever found myself in a public toilet again, but I would not want unaccompanied boys in the ladies loo.

[Journey]

A mum has a right to keep her dcs safe. If she doesn't feel it is safe for her ds to go and use the men's toilets then I think it should be respected.

It makes me angry when we mock the safety of little boys. Over 8 years old boys are still children. If I feel uncomfortable with my ds using the men's toilets then I don't care what anybody else thinks he will use the ladies toilets accompanied by me.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Maybe there should be 'large toilets' for groups then, more disabled toilets? Petition for that, perhaps?

As far as mainstream ladies toilets are concerned, NO, I don't want boys older than 8 in there, whatever the reason. Ladies toilets are the ones with the massive queue as it is.

Or should we just do away with gendered toilets?

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Journey... your views don't trump everybody else's though. If you don't feel safe for your child to use appropriate toilets, go home and use them. I don't want your 13 year old boy in the ladies and neither would many with young daughters.

[Weemee]

In my attempt to get more traffic on this thread and get some attention for these proposed changes I appear to have instigated a bunfight. Please look at the other issues in the OP and sign the petition if you feel strongly. Thanks again ladies and

[Damnautocorrect]

There's a lot of child sex crimes that go unreported (in papers and or to police) in public place toilets. I won't be taking the risk with my ds when he's 9.
A family member clears the messed up kids after this bastards have got their hands on them. They don't allow their 12 year old so I'm following their lead thanks.

[PatrickStarisabadbellend]

My son is 12 years old and he has social issues. He uses mens toilets at the supermarket etc.. But in places like service stations or the local park where the oddbods hang out he uses the womens where I can keep an eye out.

My child is my priority. I will not risk him for the sake of offending anyone.