When you think of school you may remember your friends, teachers, and maybe some uncomfortable moments, but one Twitter user recounted how they spent years of their life asking for permission to use the bathroom.
But all children grow up and notice that most jobs and college classes don’t force people to ask for permission to go to the toilet.
Teachers and educators make rules meant to help their students learn and behave, and many of us remember that intrusiveness of bathroom rules. But what happens if you have a real emergency and the adult in charge of your classroom says you can’t go to the bathroom?
Photo Credit: Twitter
After this first tweet, several people chimed with their stories about moments when their teachers overstepped or denied them permission to use the bathroom. A lot of these stories were from women who were just beginning their periods and were still trying to understand puberty. Let’s hope things have changed!
Photo Credit: Twitter
Had that happen in 8th grade. The teacher told me no and I said "ok I'll just sit here and bleed in your seat" she immediately changed it to "oh yes yes go please!"
— Jackkie Keleher (@jackkiekeleher) February 10, 2020
While it’s true that teachers tend to create bathroom rules as a way to make sure students don’t just idle in the hallways during class, there needs to be a balance. One tweet explains why:
7th grade. Day of finals. I was in class 10 mins when I suddenly HAD to pee.
Female teacher: should’ve gone during break.
Me: I didn’t HAVE to go during break
Teacher:
Me: *stares into her eyes* I can pee right hereShe was so mad when she let me go
— K-Poperative Titi-L1485 (@exoismyproblem) February 10, 2020
Other stories discuss what happened when young women tried to prevent embarrassment after not being allowed to use the bathroom.
Had to wear a black hoodie around my waist just in case a teacher decided they wanted me to get bullied for a blood stain that they caused by not letting me go to the bathroom. Then the school banned hoodies, even around the waist. ? It felt like it was their power trip or smth
— Life's worth it? (@MyHappyHope) February 11, 2020
Two stories:
1. Because of this I peed on myself in 2nd grade and am still ashamed at 23.
2. A girl at my HS was on her period and wore skirts. Teacher said she couldn’t go to the bathroom so she changed her tampon behind the desk. In class.— ||bIm|| (@kasavestheworld) February 10, 2020
One current student chimed in with a “solution” which sounds like a really bad idea.
I was told a few weeks ago to "train [my] biological clock not to go."
— the voiced dental fricative /ð/ (@ApolloTheXIII) February 10, 2020
Others shared the logistical reasons why they can’t just go during breaks between classes.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Some teachers tried to help by giving out rewards to non-bathroom goers.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Some students simply did what they had to do.
Photo Credit: Twitter
So what do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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