Page 26 - School Planning & Management, April 2018

FACILITIES \{ LEARNING SPACES \}
A Moment of Privacy
Outside of the political arena, school planners, architects and engineers probably have the best chance of solving gender-neutral and other associated issues behind the doors of school restrooms.
By Andrew LaRowe and Mike Raible
SEVERAL RECENT STUDIES focusing on the use of restrooms in public schools reveal that many children are unwilling to use them. They simply make a choice to
“hold it” until they get home. At a young age, they learn to limit their intake of fluids and force their bodies to adapt to the school schedule. Medical professionals warn this behavior is not healthy for children and may have long-term consequences. When chil- dren are asked why they feel uncomfortable using the bathroom at school, the responses are somewhat predictable: cleanliness, bullying, embarrassment, social stigmas, etc. Most of these issues
26 SCHOOL PLANNING & MANAGEMENT / APRIL 2018
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PHOTOS BY ANDREW LAROWE