A mother from Houston is expressing her discontent with the bathroom break policy at her children’s elementary school. Jessica Lee shared her frustration after discovering that her kids have to “earn” passes to use the restroom. Although she has previously obtained medical documentation to exempt her children from this practice, she was alarmed to find two bathroom passes in her sixth grader’s binder recently.
Speaking to local news, Jessica stated she is “fed up” with the notion that her children must earn the basic right to use the bathroom, which she considers a natural bodily function. Is it really justifiable to require elementary school students to “earn” permission for such a necessity?
The school district justifies this policy by claiming that it serves as an incentive for students to maximize their instructional time. They believe it teaches valuable time management skills and helps children learn to plan their days effectively. While cultivating time management skills is undoubtedly important, I question the appropriateness of imposing restrictions on when young children can relieve themselves. Transitioning from home to school is already challenging for kids, and requiring them to wait for scheduled breaks to use the bathroom can lead to unnecessary stress.
As an adult, I know how difficult it is to adhere to someone else’s schedule when it comes to using the restroom. Why should we assume that children can simply wait until recess or other designated break times? Instead, it seems more reasonable to address the issue of students who might misuse bathroom privileges, rather than punishing all students and further complicating an already sensitive matter. Forcing children to “hold it” could lead to health issues; a report from USA Today highlights that pediatric urologists have seen many children develop urinary tract infections and other complications due to infrequent bathroom visits.
While scheduled bathroom breaks are essential to maintain order in elementary schools, it is unreasonable to impose a system that requires children to prove their need. Penalizing students for something as fundamental as using the restroom is simply absurd.
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In summary, the policy requiring elementary students to “earn” bathroom breaks is not only impractical but potentially harmful to their well-being. Schools should focus on encouraging responsible bathroom use without compromising the basic rights of children.