In this month’s issue of Northern Connection magazine, Starting the Conversation, I wondered how
much privacy is needed in a public restroom, and I proposed the solution that
what is actually needed are more family restrooms.
In addition to my anecdotal evidence that supports the
family restroom (and diaper changing stations in men’s rooms) as far as parents
are concerned, I have also noted over the years how fed-up women are with
restrooms that are too small with lines that are too long.
One reason for this phenomenon is that architecture is a
male dominated field and therefore the two restrooms are the same size even
though women need larger restrooms for the demand. I know many women who are so
fed-up with this situation that they either refuse to wait or biologically can’t
wait and so at sporting events, concerts, theaters where the women’s line is so
long, they just give up waiting and use the men’s room.
I also wonder, when is it safe to use a public restroom
alone? Is it ever? For anyone?
But what do you think? You can enter your
comments below or feel free to email me at NorthCon@consolidated.net or send me a “Letter to the Editor” at P.O Box 722
Wexford, PA 15090-0722 attn: Marianne Reid Anderson.