Recently, pupils who have been in need of the toilets at Craigmount high school have been denied access to the facilities. There are many reasons beyond the fact that when someone needs to relieve themselves it becomes uncomfortable. Below I have listen these reasons in more depth to strengthen my argument.

Holding urine in your bladder not only weakens your bladder muscles but can also lead to issues such as incontinence and not being able to fully empty your bladder. Holding urine in for long periods of time can also lead to urinary tract infections. These are only a few of the many consequences of holding in urine.

One of the schools main arguments is you can use the toilet at break and lunch. Unfortunately, the human body doesn’t agree with this, as all of us eat and drink more at break and lunch which then passes through us, resulting in our bodies needing to use the toilet during class time. It’s not ideal, but at the same time we shouldn’t be stopped from carrying out a basic bodily function.

Another reason as to why it is wrong is to do with girls when menstruating, and understandably need to change their sanitary products. When we are denied being able to change these products, a number of problems can occur such as it genuinely being unsanitary for girls to sit in, or a leaking of blood from these products, which means that girl may have to go home all together in able to shower (depending on the severity). One much more serious matter, is when girls are denied being able to change a tampon. This can lead to toxic shock syndrome, which kills two to three women per year.

The fact girls are having to go to senior management and describe that they are on their period and plead their case as to why they should be allowed to use the bathroom is embarrassing on Craigmount high schools part.

We should be allowed to use the bathrooms. This is inhumane. Quite frankly Craigmount should be ashamed of how uncomfortable they are making students in their school. I urge you to sign this petition, so these ridiculous rules will hopefully be reconsidered.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.