No

by Rachel Degennaro

Created on: July 04, 2010

In today's turbulent society we are faced with one essential question: do we put the individual's privacy out for the safety of all? This question is one that is pushed upon us in every aspect of life; for example, many airports are debating on beginning mandatory body scans as part of the basic security check before boarding a plane in reaction to threats posed by some passengers. In all honesty, the odds of a passenger sneaking a bomb or weapon under their clothing that wouldn't be picked up by the metal detector are slim- so slim that many could argue the body scanner is a pointless invasion of privacy. Why put millions out for the sake of a slim chance? The same goes for mandatory showers after physical education.

The purpose behind this instigation is obviously a clear one. Showering after physical education is seen as beneficial to the student (he would be able to pay closer attention and be more comfortable during the day) and to the masses (a student emitting a foul odor disrupts the learning environment). However, I fully believe the cons outweigh any pros in this matter. 

To tell a student they have to take their clothes off and get into a shower would be one of the most vile intrusions upon our youth's privacy. Students already have to endure invasions of their privacy for the sake of all. Lockers and bags belonging to students can be searched through at any time legally with or without just cause. This is to obviously protect the student body from weapons or drugs being brought onto the school's campus, but it is still unsettling for those straight-laced students to know they have practically no rights once they walk into the building because of those few students who misbehave. These safety measures are understandable. However, forcing a student to bathe is not only immoral and repugnant but also pointless. Students are not allowed many rights; are we entering a time now where they won't even have a say over their own bodies? 

Additionally, the risks of showering in gyms are too risky to even consider overlooking. Public showers are known to expose people to a heightened risk of developing plantar warts (a wart caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that sprouts up on the feet). Likewise, the HPV virus thrives in the warm, moist environment of community showers. The MRSA virus-a virus already common in public schools-also breeds in public shower areas. Furthermore, the risks of requiring showers goes beyond health factors. Forcing students to shower can have detrimental effects on the mental health of a student. Many students are embarrassed of their bodies and most schools do not offer individual showers. Forcing a student to strip and shower in front of their peers not only humiliates them but it opens a door for bullying, a problem schools already struggle with across the nation. This increase in bullying would undoubtedly cause the already-high suicide rate in teenagers to skyrocket. 

In conclusion, making showers mandatory will hinder students' rights, their physical health, and their emotional wellbeing. It creates greater occurrences of problems that are already abundant in public schools (HPV, MRSA, bullying) and causes students to feel unsafe in their learning environment. I don't know about you, but I'd rather sit next to a smelly classmate than be told I have to take my clothes off. This is a case where the answer to the conflicting question is clear: the privacy of the students means much more than the petty, superficial reasons to force showers. This is America. Our children should have a say over their bodies. 

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