Re: We must respect women in the change room, (Gazette, Aug. 1).
I feel you have not read Sheena Fulton’s letter fully, you just skimmed through. Nowhere did she say that anyone should allow kids to stare. It is actually a good teaching tool to teach kids NOT TO STARE and she has used this approach! How do I know, you ask? I am her daughter.
Letting kids see you naked, yes, is the parent's choice, BUT it is important for kids to learn about the body and have healthy body image and not be ashamed of their bodies.
At five and under, a little boy is not concerned about you any more than a little girl is. If they look or stare, it could be completely something else they find interesting. Another mum told me that a little boy was staring at her once and then little boy told his mum "that lady took my towel." Turns out they have the same towel ... was nothing to do with a naked body.
Lots of religions, yes as you say, forbid showing the naked body to the opposite sex but that is majority of the time waived for little kids. And if you or they don’t like it ... easy, wait and go into a stall.
As for you stating my husband takes my daughter into the family not the men’s ... you must have missed I am with them, too. We go in there as it’s safer to shower an infant. There is actually a bench to sit on so we can sit and hold a slippery soapy baby (a two-person job). We have no issue with her going in any of the change rooms now or when she is older. We have had the discussion. We have no issue, when she is older and goes swimming with my husband at the outdoor pool (no family room), going in the men’s as she is safer with a parent than going in alone.
My daughter’s safety comes before any one’s feelings. If they don’t want to be seen, they can grab a stall. We do not hide the human body as it is natural. Hide it and kids will grow up thinking it’s something they have to be ashamed of.
Kirsty MacIntosh, St. Albert
