Among the many teachers at MHS, various bathroom policies exist, differing from classroom to classroom. Some require a class-shared bathroom pass, while others limit the number of times a student may use the bathroom. After careful observation, I believe the bathroom policies at our school are inconsistent, as some are unsanitary while others create a dreadful classroom environment and unjustly limit bathroom use, which infantilizes students.
While some teachers don’t require a student to ask permission to use the restroom, the vast majority of teachers operate their classrooms in contrast. Requesting permission to do something as simple as using the bathroom is a clear restriction of a student’s rights, considering how this basic necessity should not be a privilege but a right. Another individual should have no say in when others are permitted to use the restroom, making it deeply appalling how many are met with the phrase, “Wait until I’m done with the lesson,” or “Why didn’t you go during lunch?” Having control over a student’s bathroom use as a teacher is infantilizing, especially for high school students who are expected to prepare for their future careers, drive cars, and find jobs. It is contradictory to the fact that these teenagers are approaching adulthood, in which they must make decisions for themselves and work to earn money.
Restricting restroom use is also unsafe, as holding in urges to use the bathroom for prolonged periods can lead to painful health problems, including “increased risk of urinary tract infections or bladder dysfunction (overactive bladder),” Amber Tresca said in the Verywell Health article “Is it Dangerous to Hold Your Pee?” In a school community, the staff must readily prioritize their students’ health and needs.
The limitation of bathroom use established by some teachers goes even further than declining or deferring a student’s request for permission to go—a few teachers create rules that indirectly limit how many times a student may use the restroom which, in one case, one teacher limits their students’ restroom use by taking away their credit on an assignment if they use up all of their bathroom passes. It is unreasonable to enforce a penalty on bathroom use, especially because some students may have health complications that they are uncomfortable sharing with the teacher.
Some teachers’ bathroom policies require bringing a particular object to prevent being accused of skipping class by security guards, such as a lanyard, or even in one case, a toilet plunger, to the bathroom and back. During this process, the student must set down the item while they use the bathroom, whether on the ground or the sink. This practice encourages poor sanitation and blatantly disregards the fact that students must come in contact with the bacteria-covered bathroom pass every time they need to use the restroom. In addition, it is possible that some individuals may not have washed their hands prior to bringing back the item pass, so it is repulsive to expect all students in a classroom to share one.
Many teachers are concerned that students may continue to skip class using their bathroom breaks if a strict bathroom policy is not enforced. However, most students do not partake in this behavior. Unless a student has continuously shown suspicious behavior while being excused to use the restroom, limitations are unnecessary.
The need for a school-wide bathroom policy of using sign-out sheets is long overdue. As students use these sign-out sheets, teachers should not require them to ask for permission. Not only are teachers able to keep track of which students are in the bathroom and for how long with this method, but students are also given the freedom to use the restroom when needed. Although inconsistent bathroom policies have always been present at MHS, now is the opportunity to set one unrestricted approach to this matter that applies to all students.