CARNAL NATION

The Torridge Pool in Devon, England has banned naked showering in locker rooms in order to avoid offending schoolchildren. The ban was put in place after pool management received complaints from some of the local schools that use the facilities. School officials said that some children were "offended by open nudity" while also stressing that school-age children require "a certain amount of privacy." Students from as many as 13 different schools use the pool at different times throughout the week. During those times, the children have exclusive access to the pool, but the locker room and other club facilities remain open to club members.

Members of the swim club voiced their concern over the new rule. "We all want our children to be safe but this a step too far. I don't think we should teach them that nudity is something to be ashamed of," said one mother of two children. "We are all born naked and have our imperfections. This strikes me as health and safety gone mad." Others echoed this sentiment, saying that changing in front of others is part of the experience of growing up. Some called the ban "ridiculous" and vowed to continue showering naked.

Bob Demott, the manager of the Torridge Pool, said that he feels a compromise can be reached. He wants to ban locker room nudity only during the scheduled times when schoolchildren are present. He points out that there have never been any incidents at the swim club and that the nudity ban is merely a safeguard designed to protect all pool users. "We do have a private room in both the male and female changing rooms that the public can request the key for should they wish to shower naked when the pupils are there," added Demott. However, as a member and grandfather to four children put it: "This surely is ridiculous. People should not believe that we are all perverts." Indeed.